Toronto Photography Meetup Group

With the exchange rate where it is, I was thinking of picking up the new L macro lens from B&H online.
Does anyone have any experience purchasing from B&H?
And if so, care to share?
Thanks

Ordered tons of stuff from BH Photo and never had an issue. One of the best and more reputable stores. Adorama is pretty good too.

Do you remember off hand what the duty % was on the camera gear?

No duty or customs on photo gear. You will get dinged for PST and GST. Pick UPS Expedited shipping to save on brokerage.

I've ordered tons of stuff from them (lenses, tripods, etc.), never ever had an issue. Have had to pay a broker fee to UPS ... bastards.

You think you'll import something from US without paying brokerage??!! I don't think so. The brokerage fee with UPS Expedited and UPS World Saver is embedded in their shipping cost ... there is no surprises in there. You can get really ripped off by USPS and Canada Post. Anyway, B&H is the place where I purchased 90% of my equipment ... nothing but excellent service.

Brian

I'm pretty sure that UPS Worldwide Expedited saves you from paying brokerage fees. At least the last few times I bought stuff with Expedited, I don't recall getting hit for brokerage. I see there's also International Priority Mail which I believe is USPS. If that's the case, it's usually fixed $5. handling fee plus taxes.

From UPS site:

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shippi ... rance.html

I don't buy from B&H because I hate UPS. I would love it if they used USPS.

I've shopped in-store at B&H and I would again. It's actually a pretty cool place, if you get the chance to go to NYC sometime you should check it out.

Unless they changed, they do offer USPS.

Ya I know ... I stated it as a "heads up". The first few times I bought from B&H I was there, so one forgets how much it costs to bring stuff across.

Which is the option that I use. I'm not fond of being home to receive the parcel only to find out that the courier didn't even bother to ring the bell before leaving the delivery notice, so I have to go halfway across town to pick it up. USPS only takes a few days longer and goes to a convenient pick-up location.

B&H haven't failed to satisfy me yet.

I thought it was the other way around.. if you ship USPS, you usually don't pay a brokerage fee, but if you ship UPS, it's like $50.

USPS/Canada Post charges a fixed fee of $5. for handling. UPS charges a brokerage fee depending on the level of service and value amount. See my earlier post with the UPS URL and which B&H shipping s USPS.

Thanks for all the input guys and gals.
You've helped me make up my mind (I've just placed my order with them).
Cheers

I ordered a Nikon Coolscan 9000 from them yesterday - they've already shipped it and it's scheduled to arrive on Monday.

As stated, as I've ordered a lot from B&H over the years, UPS WorldWide Expedited along with the one other UPS option offered to Canadian customers do not hit you, the end customer, with brokerage fees. UPS Ground shipping is the type of shipping that nails you for brokerage/duties.

You WILL, regardless, have to pay GST and PST. That can only be avoided on smaller ticket items and items that are shipped from non-corporate (i.e. personal) senders.

Cheers,
Dave

Just wanted to note that I ordered the lens yesterday from B&H and I have it in my hands right now...and with exchange, duty (2%), brokerage, shipping, gst & pst, it still cost a couple hundred bucks less than Henrys or Vistek is listing it at...nice!

Just wondering what shipping option did you get?
Enjoy the new lens! (I'm jealous!!)

What about camera bodies, how do we deal with warranty issues if purchased from the US?

If it is a Canon USA warranty, Canon Canada will honour it.

If it is a Nikon USA warranty, Nikon Canada will NOT honour it i.e. you pay for parts & labour.

If it's grey/Asian market, neither Canon or Nikon will honour it and you pay for parts & labour.

I picked the UPS worldwide express saver option - it includes the brokerage fees, was $40USD and got me the lens in 1 day.

I spoke to Canon Canada before I made my purchase and they said they will honour the 1 yr manufacturer's warranty on US purchased Canon products.

Does that include the grey market version ie "Import" version from B&H?

Sorry, I didn't ask about the grey market version...I'd think it doesn't.

Thanks Mike. Enjoy the lens! Which piece of glass did you end up getting?

I picked up the new EF100 F2.8L Macro lens.
Total cost all-in was $1268 cdn.

DANG! Nice glass indeed!

Note if it's Grey, Nikon generally won't even service it.

Hello 7D!

I've bought 2 cameras and a camcorder from B&H. Had them delivered to a friend in Buffalo. I'm always going there for one reason or another so for me it was worth the drive there, and I saved quite a bit of money. Also, I love the fact that I didn't have to give my $$ to Henrys.