Profit is not a dirty word! The fact that some brands and not others are either available through the shop while not being shipped, brands not available online but can possibly be made available by contacting the shop and all imported European brands are basically boycotted it seems to me that B&H may be exercising market clout to extract a "better deal" from their supply chain. The fact that product is "moving" is testament to their duplicity in this matter while as I believe some other issue is resolved. It may be possible too that the free shipping concept is dead necessitating higher retail pricing for it to be part of their offer.
Consider, example, Kodak TX 400 @ 30m = $129.95 older, still current inventory, is being offered @ $99.95. I note, the price differential between new stock pricing and new comparison Ilford item is more than double! Alaris not meeting demand for TX or cynically manufacturing a pent up shortage so as to command premium pricing is yet something else to ponder... An APUG SPONSOR IS OFFERING THE SAME PRODUCT AT $179.95 noting the short supply as a reason to buy now.
Photographers' Formulary product attracts shipping charge across the range most of which is not in stock. Is it conceivable orders of this product, a very wide product assortment, will henceforth be supplied direct ex the Formulary? Does this change the B&H business model to the extent they become an agent in the sale process rather than the retailer?
Possible too is the opportunity for manufacturer/suppliers to adopt a vertically integrated distribution system made more viable because of Internet/online shopping... We really don't know, but, one thing is certain - using this medium we are going to find it increasingly difficult to obtain supplies and more costly to continue our art interest.
Whatever, the "inconvenience" regretted by B&H, it remains just that - a platitude! Fred