Did a Salesman at B&H Do the Unthinkable

[MDJAK]

This is on topic. I was in B&H last week to buy my first lighting kit. I was leaning toward Norman or Elinchrome. The salesman told me: No one on the East Coast buys Norman. It's more a West Coast product because their repair facility is out there. He also said that as a result, when you go to sell the Norman, you would get next to nothing for it as a result.

Then he steers me to the Hensel kit I wound up with. Don't get me wrong, It suits my purposes very well.

But just visiting their site, typing in Norman, returns over 250 items with what seems to be way more accessories than hensel, at least twice as many.

Did he lie to me to steer me to something they had lots of stock on with perhaps a higher markup?

The Elinchrome kit was a total of 800 w/s, whereas the Hensel was 1,000 w/s. He said 20 percent more was a big deal for the same price.

I never like when a salesperson seems to push one product over another. It always scares me that something is up.

Any thoughts?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

When a salesman pushes a particular product over another, I think that's a good thing. Means one of two things, and you can figure out which. Find out why he didn't like the one he steered you away from. If it makes sense, then he did you quite the favor, and may have avoided you a big mistake. I think what he said makes perfect sense. No one wants to pay shipping to the West Coast just to get their lighting fixed. that's bound to be a darn good chunk of what the equipment costs! Second thing it could have meant is commission. You'd have been able to find out if that's why he led you to another product, though. I think the guys there seem to know what they're talking about.

[MDJAK]

And this salesman definitely seemed to know his stuff. He said he owns Hensel and loves it.

For those who don't live in New York, there's a tactic used by, shall we say, less than honest places, which dot the landscape here, called bait and switch, which is an illegal practice of baiting someone with one product, only to steer them to another. I've never thought B&H engaged in this.

BTW, ever gently shake a product and hear a small rattling, like a loose part? That's one reason I'm now questioning my decision. The lights work great, but one of them has some very small thing rattling around inside. It's probably nothing, but I'm easily annoyed at such things.

Thanks for responding.

mark

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Like in your TV remote after you drop it a few hundred times? ;-)

[bolantej]

Hey Mark if you feel like you got ripped just return them and get something else. It would drive me crazy if I thought I was tricked...even by some guy at B&H.

[MDJAK]

Slightly easier said than done. I didn't keep all the plastic bags that it came with, that's one thing. The other is that is does work fine. I've returned a number of things to B&H. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's a huge fight.

While the success of their store has required them to hire many salesmen who are not nearly as knowledgeable as one is led to believe, the people in their important departments, such as returns, are like trained pit bulls. I have one, I ought to know.

An example of their sales staff's lack of knowledge:

I bought my daughter the new 550. The salesman who's been there quite a while was unable to figure out how to display the live histogram. He then went to at least two or three other salesmen and they too were clueless. I know it's hard to keep up with so many new products, but they surely do represent themselves out to.

Please don't get me wrong. I love B&H. I just think they are going through growing pains. A friend of mine who is very involved with the Hasidic community told me B&H did between 2 and 3 BILLION (no not million) in sales last year and they deserve it.

[DocFrankenstein]

how to display the live histogram.
Does that thing exist at all? 550EX? :confused:

Norman has reputation. Elinchrome has reputation.

If you buy either, you're not likely to send either of them to a repair facility. They just work.

What's Hensel? Does it come with Greta as an add-on?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

SD550, I think.

[DocFrankenstein]

SD550, I think.
Now I get it.

Thanks

[MDJAK]

Yes, SD550 point and shoot. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

This would be Hensel.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=Hensel

And this:
YearHighlightshttp://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1963 Foundation. Distribution of halogen lights and flash lights to professional photo studios in Germany.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1968 Expanding the sales activities to major countries in Europe and Asia
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1970 Introducing the Frontprojection system. Entering the US-market.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1982 Development of the first HENSEL flash light series.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1988 Introducing the self-contained flash light series EXPERT, one of the best sellers worldwide.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1989 Completing the flash light series with power packs and accessories. Expansion of product distribution to China and Indonesia. Starting seminar activities in Europe and Asia.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1995 Introducing world-wide the first professional battery operated flash system PORTY 1200.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1996 Demonstration of brand new series CONTRA and MONO MAX at the Photokina turned out to be extremely successful.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1997 TWINSTAR concept with 1200 HMI lamp introduced for digital camera use.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1998 Completing the power pack line with the special designed generator TRIA in combination with the new EHT Heads and shown at the photokina '98.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg1999 A powerful and competitive Compact Flash Series CONRTA E was launched to the market place.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg2000 Photokina 2000 News: The TRIA AS Power Pack, equipped with the 3-Mode-Asymmetry defines the latest flash technology. For PORTY 1200B power pack the new PORTY EHT 1200 TWIN Head is available. Also the compact flash line was enlarged by CONTRA E FLY, CONTRA E Digital and a new CONTRA E Compact Spot.
http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/images/pfeil.jpg2001 Our new company building has been completed. Move to our new location.
The company holds about 20 patents in the field of studio lighting and is selling the products to more than 70 countries worldwide. HENSEL is strongly committed to innovation and best service to customer.


And this:

http://www.hensel-studiotechnik.de/english/index.html

Now, what do you think, Doc?

[bolantej]

Alright then, I've changed my mind. Exchange the one that rattles. According to the link for Hensel, they cost a little bit...I wouldn't want it to rattle either.

[Tom W]

Please don't get me wrong. I love B&H. I just think they are going through growing pains. A friend of mine who is very involved with the Hasidic community told me B&H did between 2 and 3 BILLION (no not million) in sales last year and they deserve it.

they probably sold 2-3 million to people on this web site alone. :)

[chtgrubbs]

There are 2 Norman authorized repair centers in New York , Flash Clinic (NYC) and Armato Camera in Glendale.

[vwpilot]

I have used the Hensel Porty and am now considering one of the other kits. I'm sold on them and I'm just tyring to decide on whether I want to work with the monolights or a pack system. The monolights are the right price, but I prefer a pack system, so I'm in that debate right now.

[Titus213]

A quick search of Hensel on Google and it looks like there are a few folks that use them and like them.

[brivett]

If the salesman knew his stuff, he'd tell you that another 200w/s on top of 800w/s equaled just 1/4 stop of extra light..... neglidgable and that's why manufactureres ranges double power on each jump up the range....

Hensel is excellent stuff and I'd have it over Norman any day of the week. You bought right, but for the wrong story.

[MDJAK]

You last three made me feel a lot better. Thanks. I kind of figured if it was made in Germany, I couldn't go wrong. Though I own a VW, but that's another story. In fact, a book.

I usually steer clear of hard sell tactics, but fell for them this time. Glad I didn't go wrong.

Thanks much
mark

[DocFrankenstein]

As long as it's german, I'll take it any day.

I don't know why, but I haven't encountered them a lot even though I did a bit of research and visited a few of photography professors. (Maybe they just teach and don't shoot? )

now I'm considering it myself.

[StealthLude]

I was lookin at Hensel for a while, but I think im sold on Elinchrom units...

Too much good stuff out there, wish i had the time to try it all.