Not impressed with B&H...

I almost always order from B&H, but I'd never tried their used section before. I recently ordered quite a few items, including a used lens and two used flashes. The new stuff was shipped already, but all the used items still show as "processing". Confusingly, I just received another order confirmation e-mail from them. I couldn't figure out why they sent me a second order confirmation two days after the order until I noticed that the used lens, which was in stock when I ordered it, was no longer listed on the order. The e-mail makes no mention of the item not being available, and I was never contacted about it.

They did refund the cost of the lens and shipping, but because I live in Canada, I will lose at least 5% of the price because of exchange fees both ways. This is because of their (non-standard) policy of charging credit cards as soon as the order is placed, without confirming stock or waiting until shipping. I also don't have a lens, which means I have to find another one and pay an extra shipping cost.

Not impressed this time around...

I'd suggest that you call in next time you order to make sure that you are getting a "more" accurate info. I have never bought used stuff from BH but when I call something that I think is rare, then I call to make sure they have it on hand.

Sorry to hear about your situation. To make you feel better, I bought a miniDV from Best Buy last week, it was on sale. Got it home and read the manual and realized, the thing does not have a DV cord because it didn't have a DV connection on the miniDV itself. What the? Anyway, I returned it but had to pay the 15% restocking fee which was $35. I was really sad because the salesman said it had it and I couldn't get the money back. Anyway, I decided never to buy again when I haven't seen the item really and all that comes with it. So, as I was paying at the register for another miniDV, a Panasonic this time, I asked the manager to open the box up for me to make sure it had all the cords. Well, it didn't and Best Buy doesn't sell the cable. I ended up ordering from Amazon instead for exactly what I needed. $35 later, though.

I don't know what's going on with B&H lately. I ordered a bunch of accessories a couple weeks ago (12 items total) that were shipped same day but there were items missing from the order (they did take care of it). Last week I ordered a lens that took almost a week to ship. I called them and suggested they should upgrade my shipping at their expense. They refused.

I am about to get on the horn right now. I ordered a Samsung 245t on Sunday, well its Wednesday and still ahs not shipped . I hope they are just busy and its not there service that is going down hill. My 10+ previous orders have arrived at my door 5 days from when I ordered it. Since they have given me such good service in the past, I am a little lenient but I am getting impatient.

Just got my Visa statement. $18.98 down the hole on a non-existent lens