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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> B&H Photo question.
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 08/17/2004 01:04:38 PM · #1
Hey all,

Im looking to order a d70 from B&H.
And I have some questions...
-Is this a very reliable company?
-Where do they show the exchange rate for me to see it in Canadian $???
-When they ship it to Ontario, is the 15% tax put on that???

Thanks everyone
 08/17/2004 01:13:49 PM · #2
They are good...fast shipping...

Go here...www.xe.com for exchange rates..

Not sure about the tax...sorry.
 08/17/2004 01:14:45 PM · #3
Not sure about exchange/tax - I am in US, but B&H is very good. I just ordered a teleconverter for my cam, 3-5 day shipping and it is on the way already...
 08/17/2004 01:15:25 PM · #4
I have spent a LOT of money with B&H and I'm very pleased with their service.
 08/17/2004 01:19:14 PM · #5
Great company, good service, could be a bit faster but I trust them for good products. If you ever go to NY you have to check out the store. It's an experience!

I Don't know anything about exchange rates though!
 08/17/2004 01:19:19 PM · #6
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I have spent a LOT of money with B&H and I'm very pleased with their service.

I couldn't agree more. My wife had me order my Christmas present (a tripod) last Dec. 23. I had it the next day (NYC to Buffalo) - no extra charge for shipping...
08/17/2004 01:20:26 PM · #7
I got my G3 from them and I live in ontario. They do not add the 15% .. but Canadian customs will. But I'm not sure if I had to pay or not .. in either case make sure you get it express shipped b/c if you get it ground then you pay brokerage and the fee for that is insane. Call UPS and they will do a great job explaining it to you.

Oh ... one last thing .. they did some security check with my visa.. probably since I am out of the country. All I had to do was email them to confirm that I did place the order with a scan of my drivers license.


08/17/2004 01:23:00 PM · #8
I absolutely trust this company and have bought two cameras there. The prices at this Manhattan store may not be as low as the other "brooklyn" stores listed in the back of the magazines,(probably because of extensive radio and multimarket advertising) but you can pretty much be sure that you won't get hassled with "we don't have it in stock" or you won't get a "grey market" product, and the boxes are generally sealed.

I'm not sure about the Canada issue, but usually you will get the best exchange rate usung your credit card, and the dollar is very strong against Canada now, word is...
good luck with your purchase!
 08/17/2004 01:32:58 PM · #9
Not sure about taxes but B&H rocks! They almost always have the best prices of any reputable online vendor and I get all my stuff from them. Shucks, I even have 'em programmed in my cell's speeddial thingie. :-D
 08/17/2004 01:52:04 PM · #10
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I have spent a LOT of money with B&H and I'm very pleased with their service.


Same here!
 08/17/2004 02:01:35 PM · #11
B&H is a VERY reputable company and they are great for delivering 1st rate products. I had a service run in with them but it was only regarding some inexpensive filters. Sadly they didn't resolve the issue to my satisfaction but I've ordered several large ticket items from them and gotten very fast delivery and have been able to track my shipments via their website (linked into the shipper).

I've also ordered some "L" glass through 17th Street Photo for about $50 more. Their customer service was much easier to negotiate so if you have any questions regarding the D70 then you might want to take a moment to contact them and see if you're willing to pay just a little more. If you already know what you want and you just need to place the order and get fast shipping, then either of those sites or Adorama will give you what you need.

Kev
 08/17/2004 02:15:47 PM · #12
Originally posted by photom:
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I have spent a LOT of money with B&H and I'm very pleased with their service.


Same here!


Me too. They really are reliable and fast.
 08/17/2004 02:52:44 PM · #13
I agree, good company, good service, good products...

-Danielle
 08/17/2004 03:07:11 PM · #14
Many of us are happy with the service received from B&H. I bought all three of my Canon lenses from them and the newest just arrived today (a day late but UPS is to blame). You may have to jump through some paperwork hoops to place an order out of the USA but they are worth it for their prompt and excellent service. Too bad I don't earn a commission on referrals!

Not to sound mean, but this subject has been brought up numerous times. :)

PS: B&H filter prices are very high, at least with Hoya filters. I can't remember who pointed me to The Filter Connection (//www.2filter.com) but their prices are hard to beat. I ordered two 2 filter packages from them (Hoya SMC UV, Hoya SMC Circ Polarizer, cleaning solution, microfiber cleaning cloth and a filter pouch for my 77mm for USD$192.22 and a 52mm for USD$77.72. I think B&H sells just the polarizer for $172 or so plus $40 for the UV. They are based in Connecticut so shipping should be rather quick to you if they ship international. Just send them a quick email and ask. And here is a link to the filter packages: //www.2filter.com/prices/packages02.html

Message edited by author 2004-08-17 15:20:02.
 08/17/2004 03:18:46 PM · #15
I have never dealt with B&H myself, but have heard that they are quite good, among the best.

Yes, you will be paying PST and GST on your purchase when the Canada Border Services Agency clears the camera at the border. On top of that, you will be charged a brokerage fee by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc). The more expensive your item, the higher brokerage fee you pay, which is TOTALLY stupid and a TOTAL rip-off. Last time I used another carrier than USPS I had to pay over $40CAD on a $200US lens, so factor that into your price as well. I only have stuff shipped from the US through insured tracked USPS now. Way, way cheaper.

Also, don't forget that the warranty you'll get from B&H is for US ONLY. Can make for hassles sending it in for repairs.

I chose to buy canadian over the net. A little bit pricier, but better warranty coverage. You have to decide what is more important to you: saving a couple of bucks or having your stuff properly warrantied.
 08/17/2004 03:19:23 PM · #16
The Army uses B&H to buy equipment sometimes...I don't know if that will help or hinder your decision.
 08/17/2004 04:16:09 PM · #17
I have made all of my major purchases from B&H with the exception of my camera body (and that was only because it was out of stock at the time).

I have had great service from them, good speed on shipping, and they did not have any problem with me returning an expensive backpack a year ago that I simply did not like.

08/17/2004 04:47:04 PM · #18
I can't speak of the quality or service of B&H because I never purchased anything from the. However, I believe if you do, the camera will come with an American warranty that would not work here in Canada. Just something to be careful of.

I decided to purchase my D70 from a Canadian company and couldnt be happier with their service. CameraCanada If you are interested. If you do decide to purchase from them, give them a call...I got an extra 5% off the price of my system over the website price.
 08/17/2004 04:56:22 PM · #19
I've used B&H and liked them a lot, they seem very trustworthy compared to some other places I've ordered from online. Still, I always try to find a local shop (lucky to have Keeble & Shuchat close by!) so I can talk to someone about equipment and for ease of returning things if I'm not happy with what I bought.

08/17/2004 05:03:27 PM · #20
Originally posted by Beagleboy:
...Also, don't forget that the warranty you'll get from B&H is for US ONLY. Can make for hassles sending it in for repairs....


That's not true. B & H sells 2 types of the same product, one is the so-called "Import" and the other "USA". The "import" is basically Grey market with B & H warranty only. The "USA" is USA AND Canada warranty. Both Canon Canada and Canon USA warranty cards are included with the product. I would buy the "USA" version so that you can get service with Canon Canada should the need arise. Not sure is Nikon is the same, but my guess is it is the same.

I've bought all my L-lenses from B & H and the price was way more advantageous especially since the Canadian $ is so strong vs the US $, even factoring in shipping costs. UPS will charge you the PST and GST. They charge you "brokerage fee" on items that are less than $1000, above that I have never paid brokertage fees.
 08/18/2004 12:21:00 AM · #21
Thanx you everyone for ur help.
And im sorry if somebody has posted the canadian taxing question before.....


08/18/2004 02:13:47 AM · #22
Originally posted by Damian:
Thanx you everyone for ur help.
And im sorry if somebody has posted the canadian taxing question before.....


Actually, I was referring to the part of your question about B&H being reputable, which they are, not about your tax question. Sorry, I should have clarified. Anyway, I admit I get lazy and don't use the search so I can't really complain. I apologize.

Speaking of B&H, my new lens arrived a day late (the fault of UPS) and it feels funny. The focusing mechanism had a grinding feel to it but it went away. I had already sent in two email to B&H but I will follow through with a phone call to make sure that they know the lens is considered suspect for quality. This is not the fault of B&H but just the lens itself.
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