How long does it take B&H to put an item in a box and hand it off to UPS?

I've ordered a fair number of items over the past few years with these guys and ordinarily I see UPS tracking info within 24 hours of placing the order.

Yesterday morning, I placed an order with them for a tripod which showed as being in stock and that it was sent to their warehouse. Now more then 24 hours later, its still only showing that it was sent to their B&H warehouse

I called up their customer service to inquire why there is a delay in processing and they told me that "sometimes it takes an extra day to process the order" and offered no explanation when I explained to him that things normally have gone out quicker then that.

Have I just been exceedingly lucky in the past or are they dragging their feet here?

Cheers!

I wouldn't worry about it... when I ordered my 7d, the same thing happened... the status was unchanged at the website as I was unboxing the 7d in my living room.

Mine normally go out within 24 hours, but sometimes it's longer.

You have to understand what we in the logistics industry call "Fulfillment Operations." B&H doesn't actually stock and possess everything they ship. Many times, they take your order, then pass to another organization who picks, packs and ships your order complete with B&H paperwork inside the box and a B&H address on the label.

This type of collaboration between companies helps keep shipping cost down, saves on in-transit damage and is a better all around way to do business.

Ever order from Amazon? Do you think they have a warehouse with all the stuff they sell just waiting to pick and ship when we order?

dave

snyderman wrote in post #10702835
You have to understand what we in the logistics industry call "Fulfillment Operations." B&H doesn't actually stock and possess everything they ship. Many times, they take your order, then pass to another organization who picks, packs and ships your order complete with B&H paperwork inside the box and a B&H address on the label.

This type of collaboration between companies helps keep shipping cost down, saves on in-transit damage and is a better all around way to do business.

Ever order from Amazon? Do you think they have a warehouse with all the stuff they sell just waiting to pick and ship when we order?

dave

I'm aware that B&H does have "drop ship" items but they do make a distinction between those items and ones that they normally advertise as being "in stock" so, I don't believe they're having my tripod shipped out from a third party warehouse.

As for Amazon, I have never ordered a single item from them as the custody of the goods never really seems very clear with them and I still feel like they're running a business model that is too "web only" based. I like dealing with brick and mortar entities that have real live employees to **** at when things go sideways.

And as an update, I just received an email from them that my order has been shipped and gave me a UPS tracking number. So in this particular case, it looks like everything is fine if not a bit uncharacteristically slow compared to their normal turn around time.

Cheers!

The Ghost of FM wrote in post #10703064
And as an update, I just received an email from them that my order has been shipped and gave me a UPS tracking number. So in this particular case, it looks like everything is fine if not a bit uncharacteristically slow compared to their normal turn around time.

Cheers!

Was it? You ordered yesterday and they shipped it out today. Did you pay for overnight?

alpha_1976 wrote in post #10703110
Was it? You ordered yesterday and they shipped it out today. Did you pay for overnight?

I ordered it with the "International 1-2 business day option" and UPS generally will get it to me in 24 hours or less once they have possession of it.

Cheers!

Amazon has some of the best customer service of any business. I've never had an issue with returns, etc.

fdexclpl wrote in post #10704300
Amazon has some of the best customer service of any business. I've never had an issue with returns, etc.

No doubt.

I'm sure they have millions of satisfied customers.

I'm just a bit more old fashioned, I guess, and prefer an established brick and mortar type of store with a good on-line presence.

Cheers!

The Ghost of FM wrote in post #10704651
No doubt.

I'm sure they have millions of satisfied customers.

I'm just a bit more old fashioned, I guess, and prefer an established brick and mortar type of store with a good on-line presence.

Cheers!

That's cool...to each his own.

snyderman wrote in post #10702835
...

Ever order from Amazon? Do you think they have a warehouse with all the stuff they sell just waiting to pick and ship when we order?

dave

actually they do. Their warehouses are HUGE.

snyderman wrote in post #10702835
Ever order from Amazon? Do you think they have a warehouse with all the stuff they sell just waiting to pick and ship when we order?

dave

They DO have a warehouse "with all* the stuff they sell just waiting".
sans drop-ship items, or sold-by items.

snyderman wrote in post #10702835
... Ever order from Amazon? ...

Haha, the things that say "Sold by and shipped from Amazon" usually arrive the next day but when I ordered Lightroom I thought it was funny to get Free Two Day Delivery when the description said something like, "Usually ships within six to eight weeks."

Ordered a laptop from B&H Sunday w/ free delivery. Is out for delivery right now. They shipped it 3 day for free.

I have had screwups with Amazon, Adorama, etc. Their performance in other transactions overcomes the occasional bad one. I am still spending money with them.
I think we all make a mistake every once in a while.