[columbus]

This is not intended to be a B&H bashing post, but to highlight how their business practices can financially disadvantage non US customers.

After several good reports on this forum, (although many commenting they were a strange company). As they ship worldwide, I pre ordered a PRS-650 from them using my Visa card and giving them the correct registered card billing address for delivery.

Sadly, it turned out to be a big and expensive mistake.

Instead of first verifying my Visa card they immediately charged the full sum to the card and it was approved by Visa. They subsequently decided that as the card was British they were not prepared to ship to the registered card billing address in Spain, I’ve no idea why.
They cancelled my order and refunded the charge.

No problem then? . . . . . . . Only if you have a $Dollar Visa card.

If like me your card is another currency, this is what happens;
First the $ sum is converted by your card provider to your currency at their rate and a charge for this service added.
The refund is treated the same way except at a ten point less advantageous exchange rate and again plus charges. The charges in both cases being the major item.

The result of this - a cost to me of c.$25.00 for nothing!

Some 10% of the goods value, just for B&H to decide they did not want to supply me after all.
Quite why they did not do that before actually charging the card and confirming the order I do not understand. Every other company I have bought from in the US has placed a provisional charge to verify funds and card details before finally billing. As is the norm here in Europe, resulting in no unnecessary charges to either party..

I did contact them expressing my disappointment of their actions, their reply;-. . . .

. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .Tough!! it’s your problem not ours.


Good customer service ?

I think not.