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Is BH Photo Video Legit? (Review)
Among the leading online depots for photography and videography equipment, B&H Photo is a popular choice for rookies and pros alike.
Now if you’re here looking to find the answers to whether BH Photo Video is a legitimate website, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll cover the following:
- What is B&H Photo Video?
- Is BHPhotoVideo reliable?
- BH Photo Video ratings and complaints
- Who is it best for?
- Lots more
Without further ado, let’s begin with our BH Photo Video review 2024.
What Is B&H Photo Video?
Today, the e-commerce industry has been booming non-stop. Every now and then, you see ads on various social media platforms about online stores that offer so many gear and gadgets.
But have you ever wondered if they are all equally legitimate businesses?
Before we dive into that, let me tell you what B&H Photo Video is all about.
BHPhotoVideo.com is a store that offers gadgets and devices mostly for photographers, videographers, artists, and musicians, and has a wide range of customer base.
They have one physical retail shop in Manhattan, New York, but they conduct transactions online as well – allowing them to have a global reach.
Although B&H Photo is popular among customers, it’s still important to check their legitimacy in doing business to ensure you get the most out of your shopping experience from them.
Who owns BhPhotoVideo?
It was founded in 1973 by a German couple – Blimie and Herman Schreiber as a small shop.
It was originally located at 17 Warren Street in Manhattan, but it was moved to several locations with the last being at 20 9th Ave, New York (where it is presently situated).
The store’s name was taken from the owners’ initials, Blimie (B) and Herman (H).
Despite starting as a small retail shop, this business has grown to be the leading supplier in the electronics industry, and its reputation is pristine. Many professionals claim that this is their go-to place for all their photography and videography needs.
Although they only have one small retail location in New York, their customer base is of global scale. Thanks to their online platform, they can deliver to 179 countries today.
B&H Photo Video Products & Services
So, what does BHPhotoVideo.com have to offer?
Well, basically anything you need for digital media, music, arts, and almost any gadget you can think of. Just imagine, they have almost half a million items in stock so you can find almost (if not all) everything that you need here.
These are product categories they currently sell:
Photography
This includes the main equipment like DSLR and mirrorless cameras, drones, film cameras, accessories, photography software, camera lenses, and even books about the craft. They also have scanners, printers, and some cool stuff for your archiving needs.
Computers
If you think B&H Photo is only about photography, then you’re wrong. They also sell computers, Macs, iPads, tablets, monitor calibration tools, desktop computers, and accessories. Plus, they have gaming devices for those who love PC games.
Pro Video
In this section, you will find professional videography gadgets from a simple camcorder to a digital cinema camera and others in between. You can also buy production equipment from them.
The products can vary – for newbies, pros, experts, etc.
Lighting
If you’re looking for lighting solutions for your studio or even your outdoor sessions, you can also find them at B&H. They have LED lights, strobes, special lighting (DJ and stage lights), and a lot of other accessories.
Pro Audio
In this department, you can purchase microphones (both wired and wireless), mobile recording gear, podcast mics, DJ equipment, and even some audiobook tutorials.
Mobile
True to its reputation as the leading retailer in the electronics industry, it also has a wide selection of mobile devices. You can get Android-powered phones/tablets, Apple devices, or even Windows-run gadgets.
They also sell accessories essential to vlogging.
TV and Entertainment
You can also choose from a wide variety of television sets, streaming and media players, home theater gear, and many other home entertainment items at BHPhotoVideo.
Drones and Camcorders
Here, you will find action cameras, drones, essential accessories for aerial shots, vlogging items, and so much more.
Surveillance
If you’re looking for a store that sells CCTV cameras, surveillance cams, or anything like it, then B&H is the place to go (physically or online).
Optics
They also have a lot of cool stuff other than cameras. You can find telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, and even laser rangefinders at BHPhotoVideo store.
Audio Visual
In this department, you’ll find PA systems, projectors, monitors, webcams, and everything you need for an audio-visual presentation.
Car Accessories
For car lovers, they also have this corner for you. You can choose from a selection of dashcams, car chargers, navigation, jump starters, etc. Just name it, they’ll have it.
Smart Home
If you are planning to turn your house into a smart home, then you can check out their collection of smart bulbs, central controllers, sensors, smart speakers, and many others.
Health and Safety
This might seem strange to others, but they also offer mobile sanitizing stations, air purifiers, and shield & sneeze guards.
Live Streaming from Home Solutions
BHPhoto also sells live-streaming devices like cameras, podcasting gear, lighting, and many others.
Used Department
This is what makes B&H a little more special. They have a separate Used Department.
Here, you get to find slightly used devices and equipment, at an affordable price. Plus, you can also sell your used items to them and they will gladly put a price to it.
Reasons to Trust B&H Photo Video
Now that you are aware of what they offer, it’s about time we discuss the topic you’ve been eager to know:
Is BHphotovideo a legitimate website?
I’ve mentioned earlier that they only have one physical store located in Manhattan, New York. They do have an enormous warehouse in New Jersey where they house over 400,000 items ready for sale.
But, aside from this, they mainly operate as an online retailer, catering to customers all over the world. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why many people love shopping at B&H Photo Video.
Wide Selection of Products
Without a doubt, BH Photo & Video has a lot of products in stock. They boast a regular stock of close to half a million, so it’s not surprising to find almost everything you need there.
If you go to their retail shop in New York, you’ll find the stuff you need in a 3-storey building – from cameras, gadgets, accessories, and even things for your car. Just name it, they will have it.
The best thing about B&H though, is that they have some of the rarest things in stock and there are even some collector’s items on sale. It’s one of the many reasons why many customers flock there, or online if they are far from the location.
Knowledgeable Staff
We all know that in order for the staff to cater to customers effectively and efficiently, they are trained and briefed about the products they sell. Yes, B&H is doing that, but going above and beyond.
They have people in the store who are experts in what they sell. On the website, they introduced a few key personnel you can talk to if you need any help with their items.
Although they are in business, they value your overall experience rather than solely gaining profit.
Why did I say this?
They will help you find items that are within your budget or those that have a better price-quality ratio. They can even help you find a cheaper alternative for you.
By the way, they now have over 1,000 employees.
Tech Corner
If you need technical assistance regarding your gear, they have dedicated personnel, both in-store and online, who can help you with just about anything tech-wise.
You can request a one-on-one video chat session with them and they will connect you to one of their expert people. Whether you have questions about setting up your camera or need tips on how to do things efficiently for a project using the gear, they can help you with that.
And the best part about this? You can choose the specific time and date for this one-on-one session so you can talk to them freely without interruptions. You just need to schedule an appointment online. Easy peasy!
But if you’re within the vicinity, you can directly go to their Tech Corner for an in-person consultation.
The team can help you with camera setup, how to recover files (basic recovery steps) from an SD card or device, cloning your hard drive, firmware upgrades, file transfers, and many more.
Here are some feedback from actual customers:
By the way, did I mention that you don’t need to purchase anything from them to avail of this service? Yes! You read that right.
Whether you have your own gear from somewhere else, or if you purchased from them a long time ago, they will still be very willing to answer your questions and assist you with everything you need. Talk about extended customer service!
Online and Physical Store
Earlier, I mentioned that they only have one retail shop, and that’s located in New York.
So, it might make you wonder, how come they are globally acclaimed? Is it possible to really handle that many customers with a small-scale physical store?
Well, the business used the power of the Internet. With that said, most people put in orders online.
So you don’t have to worry if you’re from another state or another country. BHPhoto can reach you (most likely). You just may have to pay shipping costs depending where you are.
Large Customer Base and Global-Scale Business
B&H managed to grow so well that they now cater to 179 countries. This means whether you are in the US, in Canada, or wherever you are, they can ship your order to your doorstep – no hassle!
Generous Return Policy
They offer a 30-day warranty for unsatisfactory products. Not happy with your recent purchase? You can easily return it to them within 30 days from the date of purchase either online, in-store or over the phone.
But, you have to ensure that the items you return are brand new with complete accessories and original packaging to be able to get a refund from them.
There’s another policy for used returns as well if you’re wondering.
BH Photo Video Reviews (Ratings)
Are there any B&H Photo Video complaints? Controversies? Red flags?
One thing I’d advise you if you want to find the best stores to buy your gear is to always check the reviews. Global-scale businesses like B&H have official websites, pages, and review platforms where you can find helpful information about how they operate.
And you can see a lot of positive ratings from customers and third-party review platforms.
Another thing to check is the awards and recognitions they received, just like this one:
And, people leave reviews about them on other platforms as well.
Check out what Nicolas Nelson wrote on TrustPilot, where it has a 4.9/5 rating based on 300,000+ reviews!
Now…
Even though B&H is a reputable business, bad experiences happen to people in rare cases.
And when that happens, they make sure to always make up for it and resolve the issue. See this experience shared by Michael:
Not only does B&H have an outstanding rating with TrustPilot, but it’s also great on Better Business Bureau website as well.
On BBB, it has 4.82 stars out of 5 based on 2100+ customer reviews and has been given an A+ accreditation.
B&H Photo Controversies
In this B&H photo review, we will not only be talking about the good things they offer.
Of course, this business has been around for too long and it would be a little hard to believe that they didn’t face any issues before.
Let’s have a look at some of the most talked-about controversies they got involved in.
Discrimination In The Workplace
There have been numerous allegations about the discriminatory nature of B&H Photo as a company.
In 2007, it was reported that they paid over $4M in settlement money for workers who filed a suit regarding workplace discrimination. Although the settlement was publicly announced, B&H Photo never admitted that they were in the wrong.
Shortly after 2 years, another lawsuit was filed against the company for allegedly not hiring women, another discriminatory practice, which is not allowed by virtue of the New York State Human Rights Laws. They were fined $19M for this.
In 2011 and 2016, there were suits filed again regarding the discrimination against Hispanic workers. Still, without taking the blame, B&H settled this by paying a little over $3M.
Tax Issues
Being a global-scale business, one would think they gotta be paying hefty taxes. However, in 2019, New York State’s Attorney General sued BHPhoto for not paying the right taxes to the state.
However, they immediately denied this and explained their side. Later on, they won the case.
B&H Return/Exchange Policy
A legitimate business will always have a good return policy because it acts as a sort of guarantee for the products they offer. And true enough, BHPhotoVideo has a reasonable one.
You will be given 30 days to return purchases you don’t want, no questions asked. You can do this online, in person, or over the phone. However, there are items which are not eligible for the said policy. You can find it on their website.
Also, they accommodate exchange requests as well with a lead time of 3-5 working days.
If you receive damaged or defective products, they will be the ones to determine whether it is eligible for replacement, repair, or a refund based on an expert’s assessment.
Verdict: Is BH Photo Legit?
So now, is B&H Photo legit or a scam?
Yes, B&H Photo Video is a legitimate company, and definitely not a scam by any means.
They do business worldwide and have a trustworthy reputation among photographers, videographers, major brands, or tech geeks in general.
They have a physical store where you can shop for the actual items, or ask the staff for any help.
If it’s not possible to physically go to the New York Superstore, they have a well-functioning website you can order from.
So the next time you shop for your new gear, you might want to visit them and see what they have to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is BHphotovideo an authorized Apple reseller?
Yes, B&H is an authorized Apple reseller. You can find a wide selection of Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple accessories on the website and in the store.
Q: Does B&H deliver to Canada?
Yes, they ship to Canada. Right now, the only countries they can’t ship to are North Korea, Uganda, Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Cuba.
Q: Why is B&H cheap?
This is easy to understand. Knowing that B&H has a large inventory of items, they certainly purchase them in bulk. That allows them to get a wholesale price. Thus, they can offer it at retail at a much lower price compared to small-time rivals.
They also have a deal zone and featured savings areas on their website. Check it out here.
Q: Does B&H ship internationally?
Yes. B&H can ship to 179 countries at the moment.
Q: Where does B&H ship from?
They have a physical store in Manhattan, New York where they can ship the parcel from. But mostly, the items come from their bigger warehouse located in New Jersey.
Q: Is BHphotovideo reliable?
Yes. They have millions of customers worldwide and they have a good reputation among various review platforms including TrustPilot, Better Business Bureau, etc.
Now, we’d like to hear from you:
- What are your thoughts on this BH Photo Video review 2024?
- Is BH Photo Video legit in your opinion?
Share your thoughts and personal experience in the comments below!
About Author
Kate Janelle
Photography enthusiast and content creator at Digital World Beauty. My main objective here is to create a valuable resource for you with honest tech gear reviews, course recommendations, and how-to tutorials.