B&H Photo Video is a major retailer of photo and video equipment based in New York City. The company was founded in 1973 and has grown to become one of the largest sellers of cameras, lenses, audio gear, computers, drones, and more. With super low prices and a huge selection, B&H attracts a loyal customer base. However, some shoppers wonder, is B&H legit? Let’s take an in-depth look at B&H Photo Video to determine if it is a trustworthy and reliable retailer.
About B&H Photo Video
B&H Photo Video originated as a small mom-and-pop store selling used camera equipment in Manhattan in 1973. The original owners were Blimie and Herman Schreiber, observant Jews who closed the store on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. The name B&H comes from their initials.
Over the decades, B&H grew into a major New York institution known for competitive pricing. Today they operate a massive superstore in Manhattan. The busy store draws customers from all over the world who visit to browse the wide aisles packed floor to ceiling with the latest gear.
In addition to the flagship superstore, B&H also does robust online sales. Their website, bhphotovideo.com, offers free expedited shipping and hosts millions of products. B&H prides itself on competitive pricing, with a price match guarantee.
Some key facts about B&H:
– Founded in 1973 as a small used camera shop in NYC
– Original owners were Blimie and Herman Schreiber
– Name “B&H” comes from their initials
– Known for huge superstore in Manhattan
– Massive online presence with millions of products
– Emphasis on competitive pricing and price matching
So what do we know so far? B&H has been around almost 50 years. They operate out of NYC, with a giant local store and vast ecommerce site. Low prices are central to their identity. Now let’s look at their reputation.
Reputation of B&H
When evaluating an online retailer, reputation is very important. Let’s examine how existing customers view B&H Photo Video.
Customer Reviews
We can get insight into real customer experiences by looking at online reviews. B&H reviews on platforms like TrustPilot and Google are overwhelmingly positive. They have earned a 4.7 out of 5 star overall rating on TrustPilot based on nearly 15,000 reviews. The most common themes in positive B&H reviews are:
– Huge selection and availability of products
– Low prices, price matching, discounts
– Fast shipping
– Excellent return policy
– Helpful customer service
There are some negative reviews, but these seem limited compared to competitors. Most complaints relate to shipping delays or damaged items.
Expert Opinion
Experts within the photography and tech industries view B&H as a trusted source. Their decades in business and consistent pricing has earned respect.
There are some criticisms too. B&H settled discrimination complaints related to hiring practices in 2007 and 2016. And some small vendors say B&H uses its negotiating power for lower wholesale prices.
Overall though, within their core community, B&H enjoys a reputation as a reliable low-cost leader. Their scale, service and prices create many loyal customers.
Awards
Over the years, B&H has racked up awards and recognition:
| Year | Award/Recognition |
| 2018 | #1 on Digital Photography Review’s list of top online photography retailers |
| 2017 | Rated “Excellent” by Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization |
| 2016 | CE Week 2016 Brand Builder Award |
| 2015 | Rated #1 online electronics retailer by Consumer Reports |
| 2013 | Rated #1 electronics retailer by Consumer Reports |
As this table shows, B&H receives frequent recognition from consumer testing and review organizations. The consistent high rankings further demonstrate B&H’s reputation for competitive pricing, wide selection and service.
So in summary, B&H enjoys overwhelmingly positive customer sentiment, expert opinions and awards. This paints a picture of a trusted brand. Now let’s look at how they operate.
B&H Buying Experience
To better understand B&H, it helps to walk through the experience of shopping with them. From browsing, to purchasing, shipping, returns and more, we’ll break down the steps involved when you buy from B&H Photo Video.
Product Selection
The core of the B&H experience starts with product selection. Browse bhphotovideo.com and you’ll find a staggering array of gear. The categories run the gamut from digital cameras, lenses and accessories to computers, drones, A/V equipment and more.
Within each category, you’ll find all major brands. The depth of selection is mind-boggling. As an example, here is a snapshot of the DSLR offerings:
| Brand | Number of Products |
| Canon | 218 |
| Nikon | 160 |
| Sony | 86 |
| Pentax | 26 |
For context, 218 different Canon DSLR camera bodies and bundles are available. Whatever obscure specialty lens or accessory you need, odds are B&H carries it.
Prices and Payment
Once you spot a product you want, you can add it to your cart directly from the search results. In your cart, you’ll see the price, any discounts, estimated tax, and total.
B&H offers flexible payment options:
– Credit cards (all major ones accepted)
– PayPal
– Wire transfer for large orders
– Business Net 30 day terms
– Leasing and financing options
For extra savings, you can use promo codes at checkout. B&H regularly runs coupon codes and special offers.
Their prices are highly competitive, but if you find an authorized US dealer advertising a lower price, B&H will match it under their Price Match Guarantee.
Shipping and Delivery
One reason customers love B&H is the fast, free shipping. B&H offers free next day delivery on thousands of items to the contiguous US. For example, in-stock Canon and Nikon DSLR bundles ship free next business day.
Other shipping options include:
– 2nd day delivery ($7.95 flat fee)
– Ground delivery (free for orders over $49)
– Same day delivery in Manhattan
Unfortunately B&H does not currently ship internationally. You can use a package forwarder, but import duties and taxes will still apply.
Returns and Refunds
B&H offers a generous return policy. Most products can be returned within 30 days in new condition for a full refund. Some categories like computers have shorter return windows.
You can process a return or exchange online or by phone. Return shipping is free when using a B&H label. There are some restocking fees on certain products.
One downside is that return shipping insurance costs extra. You’ll want to add it in case the return gets lost or damaged.
Overall though, B&H makes returns hassle-free. Being able to get a refund on the spot no questions asked gives customers confidence.
Warranties and Support
When you buy from B&H, you get the full manufacturer’s warranty. B&H itself does not offer extended warranties. However, you can add 3rd party plans from Mack or SquareTrade.
For technical support, B&H offers decent options:
– Online chat with sales reps
– Phone support from expert agents
– Useful self-help articles
The sales staff are very knowledgeable about the products, so usually your questions get answered. But phone wait times can be long.
Security and Privacy
When shopping online, security is a top concern. Here are some of the ways B&H protects customer information:
– Secure checkout via SSL encryption
– No storage of credit card numbers
– Use of Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode
– Emails do not contain personal account info
B&H also provides a clear Privacy Policy governing use of your data. They generally avoid sharing personal information unless necessary to complete transactions.
Overall, B&H follows standard practices to keep your financial and account details secure. Customers do not report widespread issues with fraud.
Conclusion
So in the end, is B&H Photo Video legit? Based on the available evidence:
– Long history as a NYC retailer since 1973
– Strong reputation with very positive customer reviews
– Favorable expert opinions and awards
– Huge product selection with all major brands
– Competitive pricing with price match guarantee
– Fast, free shipping and returns
– Secure online checkout and privacy protections
While no company is perfect, B&H appears to be a legitimate and reliable electronics retailer. Their prices, selection, service and policies benefit customers. There’s a reason B&H has thrived for almost 50 years.
For shoppers seeking photography, video, audio and computer gear, B&H remains one of the best online destinations. Their competitive approach has earned the trust of millions of loyal customers. So for your next tech purchase, don’t hesitate to buy from B&H.