B&h

RoryW

Saw this on the B&H Website. Just in case anyone is heading to NYC shortly

B&H Holiday Schedule
B&H will be closed from Friday, April 18th through Sunday, April 27th

Fajitas!

They had big signs for it there last week.

I thought it was a horrible horrible place anyways.

Nisio

I nearly got caught out when I went to pay for my camera, it was only by chance that I'd brought my passport and they wouldn't accept my credit card payment without it. (Presumably any official photo id would have done?)

The queues and crowds were horrible the Sunday I was there but I think it was worth it for the price/range of gear. If I was to go again I'd try pick a weekday...

mathias

I thought the place was great , Willy Wonkas for Photographers !

Anyway , the place is run by Hassidic Jews , and as a result they tend to be closed most of the weekend , So anyone thinking of a trip over should plan a weekday.

run_Forrest_run

mathias wrote: »

I thought the place was great , Willy Wonkas for Photographers !

Anyway , the place is run by Hassidic Jews , and as a result they tend to be closed most of the weekend , So anyone thinking of a trip over should plan a weekday.

I agree, it's best to try and hit the place midweek. I popped in on a Tuesday morning, 10am, place was empty and lots of time to chat to the staff. I had my shopping list so I was well prepared.
I also noticed as a security measure you are not allowed bring bags in and you must check them in once you go inside. However if you are carrying a camera bag then you are free to bring it in, the security guy just asked if it was a camera bag and I said it was, he never even checked.

Stephen

A lot of big shops in NYC do that - check your bags at the door.

YeahOK

Fajitas! wrote: »

They had big signs for it there last week.

I thought it was a horrible horrible place anyways.

Why?

leinsterman

Hacidic Jews can come across a bit curt and brief (some would condsider it rude) ... I understand it is a cultural thing ... having worked with Isreali's it certainly appears to be a common trait ... but not in everyone ...

I've been to B&H many times, I a fully understand why Fajitas would have problems with them ... However, it would not deter me from using their shop ... the only thing I would recommend is preparing for a visit beforehand ... using their web site to pick out the items you want to purchase and even carrying the shopping list from the site with you ... the place is a confusing zoo otherwise ... and most of the smaller kit is under glass and you have to ask to play with it ... you don't even get your pruchases until you are about to leave the store ... everything is fliying around you on conveyor belts ...

If you are looking for something with similar prices and a less hectic pace ... and come to think it more polite staff and weekend opening hours then try either JandR Musicworld near the Brooklyn Bridge (not far from ground zero) or go over the bridge into Brooklyn and head for Abe's of Maine ... ask for Charles ... and be prepared ot flirt if you want a good price guys ... he likes men :eek:

balon

mathias wrote: »

I thought the place was great , Willy Wonkas for Photographers !

LOL. Exactly what I thought, especially with all the boxes of merchandise on conveyor belts going every direction winging their way through 4 different stages of purchasing

Dinkie

I loved it also!!

I thought the staff were really knowledgable, and very patient!! I went there on a Fri morning and it wasn't that busy (they close at 2 on a fri). It was unbelievably efficient....

I also had not remembered to bring my passport. Fortunately the guy behind the counter just told me to bring it next time.

I can't wait to go back. I just have to learn how to use the camera now. Its a lot more complicated then I thought it would be

Fajitas!

We were treated quite quite bad, to say the least.

It wasn't just the Jews in there, for the most part,they didn't say a whole pile.

I'll write more when I have more time!

FX Meister

Good shop if you know what you want. I've found many of the staff to be condescending and rude.

AnimalRights

My GF was in B&H at Xmas and thought they were efficient/friendly and generally ok.

5uspect

I phoned them once to try and track down a set of those old manual focus Nikkor 50mm f1.2s. Not much help at all TBH. Picked a pair up on amazon in the end

Stephen

I found the shop staff very helpful any time I was in there. I once had to go to their returns dept (hidden around the block with its own seperate entrance) and the guy in there was quite rude and unhelpful. On the whole though, a very positive experience. Especially where my wallet's concerned :pac:

FX Meister

Wow, I just remember I had to deal with them on the phone, what a nightmare. The assholes they put on the phonelines were incredible.