B&H Refunds Sales Tax via New “Payboo” Credit Card

Personally, I probably won't be using this much because most of gear nowadays is purchased used. If new, I prefer to go through the CPW Street Price program. The only things I would buy with this credit card are probably smaller items (e.g. straps, adapters, etc.), so good to have in the back pocket if needed. I'm from NYC so the 8-9% sales tax is substantial.

B&H posted this today:

The APR will kill you if you're the type to sit on things. Other than that, it could be a great program for those who take advantage of it.

ejicon wrote in post #18859528
The APR will kill you if you're the type to sit on things. Other than that, it could be a great program for those who take advantage of it.

Upon further review unless it’s for a large purchase like a camera body w/lens it really isn’t that big of a deal.

I really don’t need another damn CC.

I got approved for $6500. I'm in BIG trouble! LOL!

I'd rather just go to greentoe and see what happens.

I'll stay with used. 30% tells me all I need to know. Hell will freeze over before...

I’ve been a customer, supporter and general rah-rah booster of B&H for over 30 years. I’ve gotten angry and defended them here time and again when people complain about their religion”getting in the way” of business.

My first purchase was Zeiss 10x40 BGA binoculars back in 1980 for the then princely sum of $500. My wife was like, you spent $500 on binoculars? I said honey, they will last a long time. I still have and use them. I think they are the oldest thing I have by far.

I watched as they moved to their current location, as they moved the camera dept upstairs and as they spread their wings to computers, home theater, drones, etc.

In short, they are the creme de la creme.

However, I must say in their otherwise honest effort to overcome this sales tax debacle, to adopt a credit card that charges what at one time would be called usurious interest, bookie-type interest, otherwise known as interest a mob-connected Shylock would illegally charge, is shameful. For all the good deeds the owners do, the amount they give to charities, the honesty with which they’ve always run their fine business, 29 percent interest is the equivalent of a noose around one’s neck who does not pay in full as the majority of borrowers.

I firmly believe they could have limited it to a still high but more reasonable 15 percent.

Sorry, B&H, but in this instance you’ve struck out in my book.

Ming-Tzu wrote in post #18858432
Personally, I probably won't be using this much because most of gear nowadays is purchased used. If new, I prefer to go through the CPW Street Price program. The only things I would buy with this credit card are probably smaller items (e.g. straps, adapters, etc.), so good to have in the back pocket if needed. I'm from NYC so the 8-9% sales tax is substantial.

B&h will generally match the price watch street price if you ask them...

It should also be remembered that this is not a cash back or price reduction scheme, it is a reward issued against a future purchase. So if I buy a $3000 camera for shipment to Pennsylvania, I get a “reward” of $180 and I get charged $3000. The reward, should I remember to use it fully, or need additional equipment, effectively covers the taxes collected but some other purchase must be made to collect on that reward.

I have not investigated what happens when you pay the balance in full within some initial period. Anyone know what happens?

The best deal, for at least people who lived locally was pre-internet days. You could visit the store, make a purchase, pay for the purchase and have it shiiped. So long as it was shipped out-of state, no tax was collected. They would even go so far as allow you to take the purchase and only ship one item. Many a $2 filter was shipped to my house while lenses and cameras were carried home.

MDJAK wrote in post #18869488
I’ve been a customer, supporter and general rah-rah booster of B&H for over 30 years. I’ve gotten angry and defended them here time and again when people complain about their religion”getting in the way” of business.

My first purchase was Zeiss 10x40 BGA binoculars back in 1980 for the then princely sum of $500. My wife was like, you spent $500 on binoculars? I said honey, they will last a long time. I still have and use them. I think they are the oldest thing I have by far.

I watched as they moved to their current location, as they moved the camera dept upstairs and as they spread their wings to computers, home theater, drones, etc.

In short, they are the creme de la creme.

However, I must say in their otherwise honest effort to overcome this sales tax debacle, to adopt a credit card that charges what at one time would be called usurious interest, bookie-type interest, otherwise known as interest a mob-connected Shylock would illegally charge, is shameful. For all the good deeds the owners do, the amount they give to charities, the honesty with which they’ve always run their fine business, 29 percent interest is the equivalent of a noose around one’s neck who does not pay in full as the majority of borrowers.

I firmly believe they could have limited it to a still high but more reasonable 15 percent.

Sorry, B&H, but in this instance you’ve struck out in my book.

Is it possible the bank (Synchrony) underwriting this is the one charging the rate?

John from PA wrote in post #18871457
It should also be remembered that this is not a cash back or price reduction scheme, it is a reward issued against a future purchase. So if I buy a $3000 camera for shipment to Pennsylvania, I get a “reward” of $180 and I get charged $3000. The reward, should I remember to use it fully, or need additional equipment, effectively covers the taxes collected but some other purchase must be made to collect on that reward.

I have not investigated what happens when you pay the balance in full within some initial period. Anyone know what happens?

The best deal, for at least people who lived locally was pre-internet days. You could visit the store, make a purchase, pay for the purchase and have it shiiped. So long as it was shipped out-of state, no tax was collected. They would even go so far as allow you to take the purchase and only ship one item. Many a $2 filter was shipped to my house while lenses and cameras were carried home.

When is my Payboo Card balance due? What is the Payboo Card grace period?
Your payment due date is at least 23 days after the close of each billing cycle. Synchrony will not charge you any interest if you pay your entire balance by the due date each month.

John from PA wrote in post #18871457
It should also be remembered that this is not a cash back or price reduction scheme, it is a reward issued against a future purchase. So if I buy a $3000 camera for shipment to Pennsylvania, I get a “reward” of $180 and I get charged $3000. The reward, should I remember to use it fully, or need additional equipment, effectively covers the taxes collected but some other purchase must be made to collect on that reward.

I have not investigated what happens when you pay the balance in full within some initial period. Anyone know what happens?

The best deal, for at least people who lived locally was pre-internet days. You could visit the store, make a purchase, pay for the purchase and have it shiiped. So long as it was shipped out-of state, no tax was collected. They would even go so far as allow you to take the purchase and only ship one item. Many a $2 filter was shipped to my house while lenses and cameras were carried home.

You're entirely wrong. It is an instant reward applied to that purchase. If you buy a $3000 camera with $180 in tax your card is charged $3000. If you pay the balance off entirely, you pay no more and don't lose a dime. I made my first payboo purchase on a Monday and paid it off that Friday.

kayl wrote in post #18871477
You're entirely wrong. It is an instant reward applied to that purchase. If you buy a $3000 camera with $180 in tax your card is charged $3000. If you pay the balance off entirely, you pay no more and don't lose a dime. I made my first payboo purchase on a Monday and paid it off that Friday.

Yes, my bad (I think). I was led astray by an online example at Petapixel, somewhat confusing. See quote below.

So I guess the "instant reward" is immediately applied against the balance?

The full terms and FAQ's are at https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com/credit-cards.

JJD.Photography wrote in post #18882684
Does B&H charge tax for out of state purchases / shipments?

Yes