Visit B&H or purchase on-line

[kerry_grim]

Strange question, but if I knew the answer, I would not ask.

 

I am considering a Camera purchase (Canon), likely early next year. If I were sure of which body I wanted, I would

simply order on-line from New York as I have done in the past. Never had a problem. If however, I would like to

see and hold different models, I would be easy for me to take a bus to NYC and visit one of the giant stores.

 

So my question is...are the on-line price the price they would be if I were to visit the store? Or, would I

have to haggle the prices to get them down to equal the on-line?

 

If I purchased in NYC I would pay NY taxes (hopefully no other tax). If I ordered on-line I would not have to pay

taxes. But, I would pay sales taxes voluntarily at income tax time because I am stupid, although honest.

[Ken Katz]

At B&H, the price would be same at the store or on-line. You would have to pay NYC sales tax for in store purchases. If you never have seen B&H in person it is worth the experience, just check on their schedule to make sure its not a holiday when you go. Also they are never open on Saturday. and close early Friday afternoon.

[paddler4]

<p>AS Ken says. Also, don't take a lot of stuff with you; you have to check all packages at the door. I almost always buy online, but I did go there once when I was in NYC because I wanted a chance to check out different tripods. The sales people were very helpful and didn't pressure me at all.</p>

[Laura Weishaupt]

<p>You'll pay 10% sales tax in Manhattan for the same price as on line. It's worth the trip to put things in hand. The cameras are situated in a way that makes them easy to look at and handle. I've found the staff pleasant and helpful. If you want to check out a lens while you're there, you can take your own camera in. If you're able, it's good to go on a weekday and get there when they open. There are far fewer customers in the store at that time. The place is packed on Sunday. B&H is a pleasant walk down 9th Ave. from PABT. After the ride on the bus it's nice to stretch the legs. It's also close to the subway if you want to spend the day in the city. The time and money spent going there for some personal research is a good investment. </p>

[mendel_leisk]

<blockquote>

<p ><a name="00cva6"></a><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=29054">Kenneth Katz</a> <a href="/member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /></a>, Nov 02, 2014; 09:43 a.m.</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>At B&H, the price would be same at the store or on-line. You would have to pay NYC sales tax for in store purchases. If you never have seen B&H in person it is worth the experience...</p>

</blockquote>

<p>My wife was in New York sometime back, and of course I had her pick something up at B&H. She was very impressed by the store, busy, efficient place, conveyor belts running products around.</p>

<p>When she and her girlfriend were leaving there were apparently some security tags still on the items, alarms went off. Two serious looking security guards took one look at them and said: "fugedaboutit". ;)</p>

 

[waltflanagan]

<p>I was there one afternoon in the middle of the week. I had a great time just walking around all the different areas seeing things I would never even think about buying. It wasn't very crowded until I got to the camera and lens area. Basically I had to take a number just to even get to the counter and ask to try something out. I waited around 30 min and based on the number sequence it probably would have been another 30 min. Because I wanted to look at both Nikon and Leica and these were separate counters it probably would have taken 2 hours just to hold a Leica M8 and Nikon super telephoto lens. I ended up leaving without ever touching a camera or lens. Still had a great time though.</p>

[Ken Katz]

Sales tax in NYC for cameras (and most stuff) is 8.875%

[Laura Weishaupt]

<p>I stand corrected if wrong, the last time I purchased in Manhattan it was 10. Thanks for the update.</p>

[Dave410]

<p>What they said....</p>

<p> - Seeing B&H is worth the trip, but be sure to check their website beforehand to make sure they'll be open. B&H is run by Orthodox Jews and they close for LOTS of holidays.</p>

<p>- Same price online as in the store, but you pay local sales tax in the store and you can't get them to waive the sales tax if you don't live in New York. (I asked, they laughed.) They don't haggle over price on purchases, but it's great fun to do battle with the guy buying used equipment.</p>

<p>- I consider B&H to be extremely trustworthy. I never hesitate to purchase from them.</p>

<p>- Visit the store in person for the "hands on," and then buy online when you get home to avoid paying New York sales tax. Depending on the purchase, the sales tax is usually more than the shipping cost. Be aware, however, that in most states if you purchase something online without paying sales tax, you're supposed to report it on your local state tax return and pay an excise tax instead. I wonder how often that really happens, however....<br>

</p>

<p> </p>

[kerry_grim]

Thanks everyone, a trip is definitely in order.

[Dave410]

<p>You could also walk over to Adorama on 18th Street. The store isn't nearly as impressive, but they have good prices and if you buy something it's fun to see it pop through a hole in the floor near the cashier.</p>

[antonio_leandro_nascimento]

<p>After years of browsing their website (from 2000 to 2009, to be exact), I went to the B&H superstore for the first time in 2009. It was a great experience. The sales staff is friendly and helpful and it is great to hold the equipment in your hands before you buy. This year, I need to return a lens for the first time, the guy at the returns counter was great.</p>

<p> </p>

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

<p>I remember B/H when they were across the street from Flatiron (e-6 processing at the time) - that was about 19th street and 8th Avenue? If Henry is reading this I am sure he will remember...<br>

Also, you can purchase in store and have it shipped to you out of state - if I recall correctly, no sales tax is charged in that scenario. I live in NYC so cannot avoid the sales tax...<br>

And I know Kerry Grim of Hamburg Pennsylvania since 1985 (September) - he was a raptor counter at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary...and I was an intern.</p>

<p> </p>

[johne37179]

<p>Can you make the purchase in the store, but have them ship to your out of state address to avoid the tax?</p>

[Dave410]

<p>You could always visit the store and then walk outside and order online via your smartphone to avoid the sales tax. But run the numbers first to make sure the sales tax is more than the cost of shipping before you order online. It might be a wash and you could just buy the item while you're there. That's generally not the case however.</p>

[paddler4]

<blockquote>

 

<p>Can you make the purchase in the store, but have them ship to your out of state address to avoid the tax?</p>

 

</blockquote>

 

<p><br />I don't think that is legal, but I am not certain. I think they are obligated to collect the tax, period. The tax is for transactions in the state, not just for residents of the state.</p>

<p>The store is very close to Penn Station, so if you are going to or leaving NY on Amtrak, it is convenient.</p>

 

[j_c56]

It was in 1980 that I bought my first camera, a Nikon

F3. I took a 5 hour trip to NYC to 47th Street Photo and

it remains one of my more memorable experiences. If you

haven't been to a store like this the premium is worth

it, and you can always order online to skip the

entertainment tax.

[pmind]

The store alone is worth the trip.

[henryp]

<p><img src="https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1381163_621976854508086_1963764461_n.jpg?oh=3a7cb2ee955b60c3b01e5b3c275ce181&oe=54E2D8E2" alt="" width="960" height="648" /></p>

<p>Thanks all. The photo above is our old 119W 17th St location. We left there Sept 1997.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Can you make the purchase in the store, but have them ship to your out of state address to avoid the tax?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You can, and it is perfectly legal. What is illegal is shipping an empty box out of state while the customer strolls out of the store, merchandise in hand.<br /> <br />Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

[Mark Keefer]

<p>If you have a good local camera shop, most of them will match B&H online prices if you ask. I am lucky, I have two such shops near me and I support them both. I am not knocking B&H, they have a great reputation. But it is always good to support a your local camera shop before they are gone. Small mom and pops, they live in your area, their kids go to the same schools your kids do, they are spending their money in your town.</p>

<p>My local shops remember me and call me by name. If I have a problem they do their best to help me out. <br>

At least give them a shot at your business by matching the price. If they say no, you can always order from B&H. Of course maybe B&H is your local shop. :-)</p>

<p> </p>

[jon_austin3]

<p>My "local" camera store (Precision Camera in Austin, TX) is 33 miles away, and while I have purchased gear from them from time to time, it's so much more convenient to point and click to place my order with B&H from the comfort of my home. In addition to avoiding 8.25% sales tax (and the 1½ hour round trip in usually heavy traffic), the B&H Rewards program is icing on the cake!</p>