B&H not shipping chemicals anymore?

[Poisson Du Jour]

Simply, the answer is yes! You are not the only decades long customer of B&H - are you?

Now, for someone who takes pleasure throwing customers out of your business and gloating about it certainly does does very little to elevate your status in this conversation about customer mindedness and service! From another perspective it can be said that in the instances you cite (twice in this thread) you failed to deliver... to meet and fulfill your customer service expectation! So, from where I sit on this issue you certainly do not hold the high ground in this discussion?

That you may know about the complexity of moving hazardous materials is not disputed but please carefully read my posts. You will find I am critical of the lack of pertinent, relevant and timely communication from B&H (not that they may have work still to do) which in my opinion is unforgivable for a company normally attributed as providing an excellent customer experience!

However, in view of the aforegoing, this appears not to be anything you would really know about! Fred

And from Australia, I ask this question: is there a good reason you are not supporting Australian companies rather than beetle on about a place in far off NYC?

 

[Ozxplorer]

And from Australia, I ask this question: is there a good reason you are not supporting Australian companies rather than beetle on about a place in far off NYC?

Easy! it is about money... The cost of... Aussie retail prices are upwards of 30% more than I land my imported product. I declared my interest early on in this thread - #30. I hope this satisfies your curiosity. Fred

 

[paul ron]

Per Paul, etc.... I don't know if the shelf allocation in the retail store is going to tell you much. Nor would it at Freestyle. In fact, right here where I
work for only three more days before retiring, the fastest selling and highest volume items aren't even visible in the store. The pros who use that
stuff know what they want, or are coached into it, and some of them spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year here. That lets us be picky about our customers. Give me a headache and you're welcome to go somewhere else and get the wrong product, wrong advice, whatever. Or you can try a
dot com source and speak to a pixel forest with nobody there.

well im not a doc com shopper except for finding the source then placing my order on the phone with a live person or you just dont get my business.

I rely on local for spontaneity. I want now, not in week or two. The stores i deal with delivered in 2 days flat each time. B&H use to do that... but they claim shipping blah blah as well as not stocking chemicals n working items, replenishables, can be had on the spot when needed.

i really dont care either way because this will open new stores everywhere... even online competitors will profit and be very greatful. walking in B&H is santa town and they give you candy. but if you aint got what I need.... sorry pal.. im only a drive by that eats your candy. I wish they had seats like B&N.

 

[mgb74]

The issue here is not being critical of B&H - it's being hyper critical.

There are over 80,000 apug members. There are (as I write this) over 1,400 members online right now. So let's assume 4,200 active members (and that's probably very conservative).

Of those 4,200 active members, 3 are responsible for 20% of the negative comments in this thread. It's my guess that 10-12 are responsible for nearly all. And I'm pretty sure they have no knowledge of the particular constraints B&H must operate within; nor their contractual arrangement with UPS.

But they're upset about what they perceive as B&H not being completely clear and open about what's going on, so they've raised it to a religious argument (or worse, Apple vs. PC). They feel they're entitled to detailed answers and explanations and they're not getting them. So they rant and rant.

Virtually every comment by B&H is challenged. Benign justifications are labeled "provocative" (not wrong, not irrelevant, but "provocative" as in intending to provoke). Some declare that they'll no longer shop at B&H, yet keep coming back to stir the pot. They have their soapbox and they're not giving it up.

It was very useful for the OP to raise the issue. But somehow this has gone from highlighting what I suspect is an overreaction and operational mistake by a company who has done very well for the film community to be an attack by B&H on the film community. As often happens, companies recognize their error and fix it because it's in their economic interest to do so. In the end, it will be a tempest in a teapot.

 

[Prof_Pixel]

mgb74 - well said!!!!

 

[Born2Late]

The issue here is not being critical of B&H - it's being hyper critical.

There are over 80,000 apug members. There are (as I write this) over 1,400 members online right now. So let's assume 4,200 active members (and that's probably very conservative).

Of those 4,200 active members, 3 are responsible for 20% of the negative comments in this thread. It's my guess that 10-12 are responsible for nearly all. And I'm pretty sure they have no knowledge of the particular constraints B&H must operate within; nor their contractual arrangement with UPS.

But they're upset about what they perceive as B&H not being completely clear and open about what's going on, so they've raised it to a religious argument (or worse, Apple vs. PC). They feel they're entitled to detailed answers and explanations and they're not getting them. So they rant and rant.

Virtually every comment by B&H is challenged. Benign justifications are labeled "provocative" (not wrong, not irrelevant, but "provocative" as in intending to provoke). Some declare that they'll no longer shop at B&H, yet keep coming back to stir the pot. They have their soapbox and they're not giving it up.

It was very useful for the OP to raise the issue. But somehow this has gone from highlighting what I suspect is an overreaction and operational mistake by a company who has done very well for the film community to be an attack by B&H on the film community. As often happens, companies recognize their error and fix it because it's in their economic interest to do so. In the end, it will be a tempest in a teapot.

If B&H doesn't want to sell darkroom chemical, fine, just say so. But blowing smoke up our backsides is insulting.

 

[nolanr66]

The Arista 100 is nice film. Looks like I will be using it for a while. I have HP5 in the bulk loader so I will be shooting Arista as individual rolls. I bought 3 the other day and will shoot up my second one tomorrow. . 9 min with D76 is nice. I like the Freestyle rubber squeegee also. It closes on the film strip evenly.

D76 1:1 for 9 min
water stop
Illford rapid fixer 9:1 for 5 min

Looks good

 

[mgb74]

If B&H doesn't want to sell darkroom chemical, fine, just say so. But blowing smoke up our backsides is insulting.

So then why, on their website, are there 133 in-stock items listed in "Black & White Film and Paper Chemistry; the vast majority of which are described as "Order now to ship tomorrow"? Plus another 48 in "Alternative Process & Miscellaneous Chemistry" (again, looking at "in stock" only).

For a company with their retail experience, they're doing a really, really bad job of exiting the category.

 

[Oxleyroad]

Interesting reading. But I'll keep my comments to myself. Each to their own hey.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I agree about the Arista 100 film. It is beautiful. Just a quick word of warning about using a film squeegee. It seems counter-intuitive but it's far better to use your fingers so you can feel any little particles before they scratch your film.

The Arista 100 is nice film. Looks like I will be using it for a while. I have HP5 in the bulk loader so I will be shooting Arista as individual rolls. I bought 3 the other day and will shoot up my second one tomorrow. . 9 min with D76 is nice. I like the Freestyle rubber squeegee also. It closes on the film strip evenly.

D76 1:1 for 9 min
water stop
Illford rapid fixer 9:1 for 5 min

Looks good

 

[Ozxplorer]

As often happens, companies recognize their error and fix it because it's in their economic interest to do so. In the end, it will be a tempest in a teapot

Your point of view is just as valid as those preceding your post and, you are quite right to express it and eloquently so too!

I hope you are correct - I sincerely hope "their" future economic interest does extend into the film user community going forward.

What is inescapable is the fact "they" failed their customers & failed the industry that relies upon their support! Also, as the "silent majority" have not been heard on this issue is, it is hardly surprising. This group have already taken steps to change their shopping behaviour. Sadly, it became necessary for them to do so! I guess, while not heard, they have already voted with their wallets just as I was forced to do...

So, if you seek to close down discussion and/or what you deem as protest in this matter, you take on the role of the "thought police"! Their whole purpose of being is to shutdown debate on all matters adverse to their construct of the truth! This amounts to grandstanding your stance and your perspective of the B&H supply situation. Fred

 

[Born2Late]

The Arista 100 is nice film. Looks like I will be using it for a while. I have HP5 in the bulk loader so I will be shooting Arista as individual rolls. I bought 3 the other day and will shoot up my second one tomorrow. . 9 min with D76 is nice. I like the Freestyle rubber squeegee also. It closes on the film strip evenly.

D76 1:1 for 9 min
water stop
Illford rapid fixer 9:1 for 5 min

Looks good

I like Arista film and paper. I am giving one grandson an Olympus XA1 and 6 rolls of Arista this weekend as his first camera outfit. Of course I'll be providing him with my lab services as well.

As far as the squeegee goes, I haven't used one in years. I give my film a final rinse in distilled water and Edwal wetting agent. I never have any water marks or scratches using this method.

 

[nolanr66]

I like Arista film and paper. I am giving one grandson an Olympus XA1 and 6 rolls of Arista this weekend as his first camera outfit. Of course I'll be providing him with my lab services as well.

As far as the squeegee goes, I haven't used one in years. I give my film a final rinse in distilled water and Edwal wetting agent. I never have any water marks or scratches using this method.

I have been using Photo Flo with Brita filtered water and a squeegee and have been getting the same results. I might try Arista 76 instead of D-76 next time since it's 1 dollar cheaper for a gallon. Given the name I assume it's the same thing with a different package. According to the Freestyle chart it has the same 9 minute development time.

The 100 speed film is going to require the use of a flash much more often. At the Christmas tree lot yesterday I needed flash even outdoors as it was a dark and gloomy day. I do like the Nikon SB15 flash as it is offset to the left. I am pleased with the results of the Grandkids at the Christmas tree lot. I think the photos are better then they would have been with HP5 without flash.

They have a HayRide for free, a Wooden Raindeer with a saddle and background for photos and some other stuff to get great photos of the Grandkids. My wife does not mind B/W for Christmas pictures but others think I am a bit off on that. . The bad news is our tree has a critter in it and the tree is still outside as I cannot find the squaking creature to get it to fly or crawl away. I am going to squirt the tree with a hose nozzle and see if it will leave today. Otherwise I have to buy another tree.

 

[mgb74]

Your point of view is just as valid as those preceding your post and, you are quite right to express it and eloquently so too!

I hope you are correct - I sincerely hope "their" future economic interest does extend into the film user community going forward.

What is inescapable is the fact "they" failed their customers & failed the industry that relies upon their support! Also, as the "silent majority" have not been heard on this issue is, it is hardly surprising. This group have already taken steps to change their shopping behaviour. Sadly, it became necessary for them to do so! I guess, while not heard, they have already voted with their wallets just as I was forced to do...

So, if you seek to close down discussion and/or what you deem as protest in this matter, you take on the role of the "thought police"! Their whole purpose of being is to shutdown debate on all matters adverse to their construct of the truth! This amounts to grandstanding your stance and your perspective of the B&H supply situation. Fred

Thought police? Not at all. You clearly have the right to post what you think, but that doesn't mean that what you post is right.

What's an inescapable fact is that, while not perfect, they've provided the product we want in a very economical way. You characterize a glitch along the way as a failure. I think of it as a mistake.

Any yet, you not only claim to know that there is a silent "majority", but also claim to know that this silent majority have already taken steps to change their shopping behavior. No doubt a few have, but how that rises to a majority escapes me. I'm very interested in how you know there's a silent majority and how you know such a large group is changing their shopping behavior.

 

[DREW WILEY]

So here we go... Today somebody has a gripe on B&H. In a few months another person will have a personal gripe about Freestyle (I've read those
too), then it will be somebody else. Then Kodak gets demonized, then Fuji, and then Ilford by somebody. Heard or read it all, already. Yeah, all this boycott talk is real smart; and then you have the nerve to start complaining how hard it is to still get essential supplies? And my Aussie friend, sometimes throwing out a crank customer is a very effective way to further cement the loyalty of the other 99% who are themselves inconvenienced
these hacks. And sorry about Mr. Uninformed Web Snoop in the preceding thread, who seems to know about as much about my job as a dead fly caught in a spider web.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Intermediate post, obviously. Was referring to that idiotic uniformed post by Richard L.

 

[faberryman]

Who's boycotting whom? It was B&H that stopped shipping chemicals, not customers that stopped buying them.

Besides, no one has called for a boycott. That's all in your mind. Some have shifted their purchasing allegiance after a long time supplier no longer ships the merchandise they require, and been less than forthright about the reasons why. Perfectly rational behavior.

 

[MattKing]

I think we were all spoiled by Simon Galley.

 

[nolanr66]

It's not a boycott actually. Also I have no beef with BHPhoto. It's just a store and they offer what they offer. However I still need stuff for B/W photography so I moved on to Freestyle. It's not a big deal to me. Well at first it was but I got over it.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Fine. Just move on. That's what competition if for. Not every source can be everything to everybody; and B&H might not in fact be the best choice for chemicals. But a few persons kinda crossed a line into bad-mouthing the character or intent of a company which many of us have had very good
service from, if you're even halfway realistic about this kind of issue. So yeah, I got a bit irritated, but not as irritated as by the chump who implied
I was under training from someone that wasn't even born yet when I began that very position, and now am handing it over to him after I helped him
get comfortable with it. The last laugh is on me anyway. I retire in just three more days!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Your point of view is just as valid as those preceding your post and, you are quite right to express it and eloquently so too!

I hope you are correct - I sincerely hope "their" future economic interest does extend into the film user community going forward.

What is inescapable is the fact "they" failed their customers & failed the industry that relies upon their support! Also, as the "silent majority" have not been heard on this issue is, it is hardly surprising. This group have already taken steps to change their shopping behaviour. Sadly, it became necessary for them to do so! I guess, while not heard, they have already voted with their wallets just as I was forced to do...

So, if you seek to close down discussion and/or what you deem as protest in this matter, you take on the role of the "thought police"! Their whole purpose of being is to shutdown debate on all matters adverse to their construct of the truth! This amounts to grandstanding your stance and your perspective of the B&H supply situation. Fred

Thought police? Not at all. You clearly have the right to post what you think, but that doesn't mean that what you post is right.

What's an inescapable fact is that, while not perfect, they've provided the product we want in a very economical way. You characterize a glitch along the way as a failure. I think of it as a mistake.

Any yet, you not only claim to know that there is a silent "majority", but also claim to know that this silent majority have already taken steps to change their shopping behavior. No doubt a few have, but how that rises to a majority escapes me. I'm very interested in how you know there's a silent majority and how you know such a large group is changing their shopping behavior.

In my experience when one claims to speak for "the silent majority", that person is talking through ones hat.

 

[cmacd123]

I think we were all spoiled by Simon Galley.

and still miss those very clear detailed explanations of the way photo supply the market works.

 

[Born2Late]

I consider myself a member of the silent majority. A few years ago I decided the best way to voice opinion with businesses and service providers was to let my wallet do my talking. So far I am pleased with the results.

 

[pentaxuser]

I think we were all spoiled by Simon Galley.

He seemed to be able to be frank, impart the Ilford position which wasn't always what we wanted it to be and yet I cannot recall any of his posts that had a seriously negative effect on our view of Ilford.

The best PR people are always those to whom we relate even when they are not telling us what we want to hear. That talent is much rarer than we think

pentaxuser

 

[Leigh B]

In my experience when one claims to speak for "the silent majority", that person is talking through ones hat.

I have a lower opinion.

- Leigh