Purchasing at BHPhotovideo enquiries

[theITguy]

Hi, I intended to make some purchase at the following online store, but was kind of turned off by the fact that new customers (or with new credit card) needs to fax/email both front and back of the credit card to them to "verify" the validity of the card and the user. Anyone has any problems with them? How about shipping problems for international customers like my credit card is a sub card from my sister and the billing address of it is not the same as my shipping address?


Thanks

 

[Altezza]

Shipping address must = billing address for first timers. Otherwise, I've had 3-4 orders from them with not much problems. And I did fax over the credit card copies.

 

[blurblock]

What did you want to buy actually? There are other online stores too if you are not comfortable with BH photography and video.

 

[theITguy]

Hi, I wish to buy or MO (if there is enough orders) archival pages that hold negatives and mounted slides, which are acid free and no PVC material. Cost would be $1 per piece and much lesser if orders are 1000 and above. I tried to find other stores, like www.adorama.com which also has the same requirements too. If locally I can get at about $1 per piece for mounted slides then I will not order.

 

[blurblock]

Hi, I wish to buy or MO (if there is enough orders) archival pages that hold negatives and mounted slides, which are acid free and no PVC material. Cost would be $1 per piece and much lesser if orders are 1000 and above. I tried to find other stores, like www.adorama.com which also has the same requirements too. If locally I can get at about $1 per piece for mounted slides then I will not order.

I sincerely doubt I had seen an archival page that hold both negatives and mounted slides. One is stored by strips and the other is stored by pieces, don't know how to put them into the same page. Anyway, the average price of a slide archival page cost about US$25 per 100 packs and the shipping charge is nearly US$50, it would cost about a total of US$75, about S$127 (taking 1.7 as exchange rate, note the bank will charge higher exchange rate and extra administration cost of 3% when currency exchanges are involved and etc etc) bring it to be about $1.30 per page. It would be more expensive if you order by pack of 25. But for pack of 1000, it will cost about US$400 (Vue-all brand), or S$680.

Thus I think it is best to check with local suppliers first before purchasing it from overseas. You might be able to get it cheaper locally, noticeably they bring in by the 10,000 .....

 

[theITguy]

I sincerely doubt I had seen an archival page that hold both negatives and mounted slides. One is stored by strips and the other is stored by pieces, don't know how to put them into the same page. Anyway, the average price of a slide archival page cost about US$25 per 100 packs and the shipping charge is nearly US$50, it would cost about a total of US$75, about S$127 (taking 1.7 as exchange rate, note the bank will charge higher exchange rate and extra administration cost of 3% when currency exchanges are involved and etc etc) bring it to be about $1.30 per page. It would be more expensive if you order by pack of 25. But for pack of 1000, it will cost about US$400 (Vue-all brand), or S$680.

Thus I think it is best to check with local suppliers first before purchasing it from overseas. You might be able to get it cheaper locally, noticeably they bring in by the 10,000 .....

I thought of ordering 2 types, one for strips of negative and the other mounted slides. Anyway, if there is an order of about 2K, it will cost about $0.60/unit for negative strips holder and about $0.70/unit for mount slide holder (both ClearFile brand). Who among the local store have such files for sale? Ruby does not have such acid free one, heard of fotohub have them, but I do not know their location.

 

[Ian]

Hi, I intended to make some purchase at the following online store, but was kind of turned off by the fact that new customers (or with new credit card) needs to fax/email both front and back of the credit card to them to "verify" the validity of the card and the user. Anyone has any problems with them? How about shipping problems for international customers like my credit card is a sub card from my sister and the billing address of it is not the same as my shipping address?
Thanks

I've been dealing with B&H for over 20 years and literally hundreds of orders and have only had one problem (this year as luck would have it).

Their credit card validation scheme works fine but is a PIA the first time.

 

[theITguy]

I've been dealing with B&H for over 20 years and literally hundreds of orders and have only had one problem (this year as luck would have it).

Their credit card validation scheme works fine but is a PIA the first time.

PIA = Pain In the Azz?

I am still concern about the billing and shipping address thingy for first timer and subsequence purchases. I had emailed them and waiting for a reply.

 

[di0nysus]

note that if your purchase is >$450, u'll be charged GST at sg customs.

din noe about this and got :bigeyes: when my stuff arrived.

hapie online shopping.

 

[theITguy]

note that if your purchase is >$450, u'll be charged GST at sg customs.

din noe about this and got :bigeyes: when my stuff arrived.

hapie online shopping.

Hi, does the purchase include the shipping fees or just the item's cost?

 

[di0nysus]

Hi, does the purchase include the shipping fees or just the item's cost?

if item is LIST PRICE 500USD, u'll pay 500 X 1.7 etc = SGD.

then + 20-50USD for shipping depends on size and weight and type of freight. i suggest courier for better handling. eg, UPS.

when reach sg, if > S$450, they'll charge 5% GST.

the BEST scenario will be walking into the BH store in new york and buy from over the counter (if they have one), u'll pay their 'gst', but if abovea certain amount, can claim from airport before flying back to sg. then u really save on everything.

do your homework well before buying. remember it'll be a gray item, ie NO warranty.

 

[chriszzz]

Hi, I intended to make some purchase at the following online store, but was kind of turned off by the fact that new customers (or with new credit card) needs to fax/email both front and back of the credit card to them to "verify" the validity of the card and the user. Anyone has any problems with them? How about shipping problems for international customers like my credit card is a sub card from my sister and the billing address of it is not the same as my shipping address?


Thanks

1. You should be glad that honest companies like B&H insist on this precaution against credit card fraud. I've dealt with them a few times and never had a problem after the initial hassle.

2. You can try vpost USA ( www.vpost.com.sg ) to lower your shipping cost if you don't mind waiting 1-2 weeks for your goods. Shipping should be in the range of S$20 (depending on size) instead of US$50. I intend to try it out one of these days but have not done so yet. So don't take my word for it, but check it out all the same.

 

[Ian]

if item is LIST PRICE 500USD, u'll pay 500 X 1.7 etc = SGD.

then + 20-50USD for shipping depends on size and weight and type of freight. i suggest courier for better handling. eg, UPS.

when reach sg, if > S$450, they'll charge 5% GST.

the BEST scenario will be walking into the BH store in new york and buy from over the counter (if they have one), u'll pay their 'gst', but if abovea certain amount, can claim from airport before flying back to sg. then u really save on everything.

do your homework well before buying. remember it'll be a gray item, ie NO warranty.

B&H international shipping starts at $25 USD minimum.

B&H is a real store and it's truly massive in size. They are infact the worlds largest single store camera retailer, and process an average 40,000 sales per month.

 

[cyrilng]

I thought of ordering 2 types, one for strips of negative and the other mounted slides. Anyway, if there is an order of about 2K, it will cost about $0.60/unit for negative strips holder and about $0.70/unit for mount slide holder (both ClearFile brand). Who among the local store have such files for sale? Ruby does not have such acid free one, heard of fotohub have them, but I do not know their location.

Fotohub.Com Pte Ltd
1 Raffles Pl #03-01 OUB Centre
Tel : 6533 0433

Found using http://www.yellowpages.com.sg/iyp/yp/jsp/index.jsp

Have you checked wiht Cathay Photo if they have any? I bought some archival slide sleeves from them but that was a l-o-n-g time ago.

 

[cyrilng]

And yes, I've ordered from B&H before too with no problems.

 

[theITguy]

Thanks for the replies!!

 

[charvy]

i too was thinking of ordering a domke bag from bhp.. if anyone is ordering.. can i tombang also? I'll pay the upfront fee just in case u'll are scared that i''ll disappear after the order

 

[Carllim]

I've also ordered stuffs from B&H on several occasions. Once you got through the initial hassle of credit card verifications and things like that, the subsequent orders are smooth sailing.

 

[Ian]

PIA = Pain In the Azz?

I am still concern about the billing and shipping address thingy for first timer and subsequence purchases. I had emailed them and waiting for a reply.

You can always TT them the money direct to their bank account, costs a bit more but works fine (done that many times on big purchases ..ie: over 10,000 USD.)

The validation process is to provide copies of the credit card plus identification such as a photo drivers license to show that you are the legitimate holder of a card and to give them some legal recourse to chase fraudulent credit card transactions. They've also changed their telephone order handling system and now all card details are double checked even for cards registered inside the system.

 

[rubric]

No worries at all. B&H has great customer service. Even allowed me to email photos of my credit card. Front and back of course.