Does bhphoto usually get a good supply ?

[JAZJB]

I'm also minorly miffed to see the inconvenience of their holiday around the time of Apple's launch for these products, but it is what it is. It's stated as a major banner on their website as I was doing the order process, so I'm aware this would potentially cause a delay. Nothing that could be done with them being closed around the time of the release date. You are simply putting in a spot to get the device when it's actually fulfilled.
[doublepost=1537483187][/doublepost]

This part I am a little bit annoyed about, as I'd prefer it charged when it's actually processed or shipped. I am also aware that pretty much all pre-orders are a purchase for the product ahead of time, and usually they do charge during the pre-order, regardless of when it ships.

I think people are blowing this out of proportion.

The real issue for me is the lack of communication. If you go by the website, no one knows what is happening with their orders. If I am charged full price for an order up front, I shouldn’t have to call customer service to find out my order status. I started a thread here about this, because I am a long time customer of B&H for photography equipment and feel sonewhat screwed for the first time with the Apple Watch. I am really unhappy about this preorder full charge, as Apple or At&T, my carrier, don’t charge me up front.

 

[nattK]

B&H's website went from "shipping 2018-9-21" to completely nothing at all. No indication of when they'll be getting any stock and when they'll be shipping the watches. I'm freaking out right now especially with the news about how even some UPS orders directly from Apple are getting delayed.

 

[powaking]

B&H's website went from "shipping 2018-9-21" to completely nothing at all. No indication of when they'll be getting any stock and when they'll be shipping the watches. I'm freaking out right now especially with the news about how even some UPS orders directly from Apple are getting delayed.

This is some serious BS going on. Mine now says ‘Coming soon’. Need to start looking into other avenues.

 

[ECJ]

Just received a notification from USPS that the watch is being sent Priority mail, and will arrive on Monday.

 

[advan031]

Question is why did you guys go with B&H if you want to get it on launch day? Why didn't you order direct from Apple?

 

[powaking]

Primarily? To save on taxes and also hopeful that they would have a sizable amount in stock. When saying they will ship 9/21 you are under the impression that they would at least ship out 9/20 for 9/21 delivery or later. But to have multiple people get different answers as to when or if they will ship is concerning. Right now my order states Coming Soon. I ordered a 44mm Silver/Sport Loop at around 3:40am on 9/14. For all I know I won’t be getting it until mid October. I would rather they say ‘hey your order won’t ship until xx’ instead of just saying ‘Coming soon’. The lack of communication and clarity is what all the gripe is now.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Question is why did you guys go with B&H if you want to get it on launch day? Why didn't you order direct from Apple?

The idea here is their website clearly stated "shipping 9/21" and I was perfectly ok with that on 9/14, preorder opening day. They did not mention they are closing for ~10 days until yesterday on their website. They also are now sayint nothing will ship until 10/4 or so. All around poor business practice. I didn't expect it in my hand today, 9/21 but I did expect it to be here next week based upon what they stated upon purchase and due to their free 2-day shipping.

 

[Vanilla35]

The idea here is their website clearly stated "shipping 9/21" and I was perfectly ok with that on 9/14, preorder opening day. They did not mention they are closing for ~10 days until yesterday on their website. They also are now sayint nothing will ship until 10/4 or so. All around poor business practice. I didn't expect it in my hand today, 9/21 but I did expect it to be here next week based upon what they stated upon purchase and due to their free 2-day shipping.

I preordered several days ago, and they did have a banner at the top of every page when you're viewing a product, with their holiday hours. Rather large banner

 

[Jeremy3292]

I preordered several days ago, and they did have a banner at the top of every page when you're viewing a product, with their holiday hours. Rather large banner

Yes it was for Yom Kippur when they were closed this past Tuesday and Wednesday 9/18 and 9/19 which would not affect any orders. They only added the week plus long one for Succos yesterday.
[doublepost=1537543559][/doublepost]Latest update from Levi R:

"Unfortunately, the date was pushed back by Apple and at this time we do not have any concrete information from Apple as to when we will have these units in stock.

I wish I had more detailed information for you but at this time that is all that we know. We will continue to be in touch with the manufacturer for a status of this unit and keep you updated via email periodically.

I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured your order will be shipped to you as soon as we receive stock and we will email you the tracking information once it is shipped.

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding."

 

[WilliamG]

The idea here is their website clearly stated "shipping 9/21" and I was perfectly ok with that on 9/14, preorder opening day. They did not mention they are closing for ~10 days until yesterday on their website. They also are now sayint nothing will ship until 10/4 or so. All around poor business practice. I didn't expect it in my hand today, 9/21 but I did expect it to be here next week based upon what they stated upon purchase and due to their free 2-day shipping.

B&H are jokers. They knew before today they weren't receiving their shipment because... duh... it's today now.

No communication AT ALL. I called them and they tell me they'll get their shipment on October 1, but it's Succos until October 3 and they're not open till then due to that holiday. So after that, I guess.

Not pleased.

At least I know for next time to never, ever preorder anything from B&H.
[doublepost=1537545542][/doublepost]

Question is why did you guys go with B&H if you want to get it on launch day? Why didn't you order direct from Apple?

I don't think any of us expected our Watch on launch day. I know I didn't. I did, however, expect the Watch to ship on launch day as B&H promised me on their web site and on my order status.

 

[Vanilla35]

Yes it was for Yom Kippur when they were closed this past Tuesday and Wednesday 9/18 and 9/19 which would not affect any orders. They only added the week plus long one for Succos yesterday.

Good point I may have mixed up those two separate banners in my head.

 

[Jeremy3292]

I canceled my order with BH and got one in store today.

Greenville, SC store opened at 8am today. I showed up at 12pm, small line outside. I was able to get my Apple Watch S4 40mm GPS only. They had a lot of watches still in stock 4+ hours after opening but not everything obviously. Waited in the line for 30 minutes or so until I was able to checkout with an Apple employee. Very pleased.

 

[Vanilla35]

I canceled my order with BH and got one in store today.

Greenville, SC store opened at 8am today. I showed up at 12pm, small line outside. I was able to get my Apple Watch S4 40mm GPS only. They had a lot of watches still in stock 4+ hours after opening but not everything obviously. Waited in the line for 30 minutes or so until I was able to checkout with an Apple employee. Very pleased.

I noticed that there are generally lots of aluminum models and also a decent amount of silver SS models. I've found exactly zero space black models though. That thing is extremely constrained, it seems. Unfortunate for me.

 

[neilk]

Dishonest. B & H knew they would be closing 10 days for Succos when they opened up pre-orders. They should have put a big fat disclaimer that if Apple didn't send them any watches on the 21st, that there may be an extra 10 day delay due to the holiday. I could have then weighed my options and decided if I wanted to wait and save money or look for instant gratification.

Just checked Google and they said Succos ends Sunday the 30th? They can't come in to work on Monday, October 1st?

 

[Jeremy3292]

Dishonest. B & H knew they would be closing 10 days for Succos when they opened up pre-orders. They should have put a big fat disclaimer that if Apple didn't send them any watches on the 21st, that there may be an extra 10 day delay due to the holiday. I could have then weighed my options and decided if I wanted to wait and save money or look for instant gratification.

Just checked Google and they said Succos ends Sunday the 30th? They can't come in to work on Monday, October 1st?

It's through Tuesday, 10/2 for those in the diaspora (outside of Israel).

 

[ActionableMango]

Question is why did you guys go with B&H if you want to get it on launch day? Why didn't you order direct from Apple?

Probably the two largest reasons are (1) local sales tax avoidance, or (2) simply that there are many photographer/audio/video types who already do a lot of business with them so it's just easy and habitual to work with what you already know.

There have also been examples of where Apple stores have run out of a hot item during release time but some third party hasn't, like an AT&T Store, because people don't think to mob the third party stores as much. But it's really hard to tell who is going to have more of what, so that's a complete crapshoot.

 

[alent1234]

B&H are jokers. They knew before today they weren't receiving their shipment because... duh... it's today now.

No communication AT ALL. I called them and they tell me they'll get their shipment on October 1, but it's Succos until October 3 and they're not open till then due to that holiday. So after that, I guess.

Not pleased.

At least I know for next time to never, ever preorder anything from B&H.
[doublepost=1537545542][/doublepost]

I don't think any of us expected our Watch on launch day. I know I didn't. I did, however, expect the Watch to ship on launch day as B&H promised me on their web site and on my order status.

The last time I bought something from B&H was a $20 flash drive. I had to visit one guy to ask for it and 3-4 other stations to pay for and pick it up while they sent real paper through their idiotic tube system

never go back there again

 

[likegadgets]

I too canceled my order, found one at Best Buy - a store I dislike far more than B&H - but they had it in stock. Black SS 44mm. The told me it was the only Black SS they received

 

[hogsdill]

Glad I saw this thread before ordering from B&H. I'll buy from somewhere else or wait.

 

[Tapiture]

I’m sticking with it. I know that I want one and I’m not in any huge rush to get it, it’s worth the savings for me. I was at the Apple store yesterday for a different reason and they didn’t have much. Only the Gold stainless.

 

[Vanilla35]

I’m sticking with it. I know that I want one and I’m not in any huge rush to get it, it’s worth the savings for me. I was at the Apple store yesterday for a different reason and they didn’t have much. Only the Gold stainless.

The gold doesn't look nearly as good as I thought it would. It's quite a bit more muted than I thought. Also reminds me slightly of a rose gold finish, which is less masculine than I would have liked.

I also was in a nearby store yesterday a couple blocks from my place and they didn't have a single SB available, so I'm going to stick with my B&H order and forget about it. Also, the 44mm was smaller than I expected.

 

[Tapiture]

The gold doesn't look nearly as good as I thought it would. It's quite a bit more muted than I thought. Also reminds me slightly of a rose gold finish, which is less masculine than I would have liked.

I also was in a nearby store yesterday a couple blocks from my place and they didn't have a single SB available, so I'm going to stick with my B&H order and forget about it. Also, the 44mm was smaller than I expected.

Yes I tried on the 44mm as well and was pleased that it wasn’t really any bigger than the 42mm. I knew I wouldn’t want the gold but seeing it in person solidified that.

Although I’m sticking with my order I can sympathize with others complaining about being charged before it ships. I also find that annoying and a poor business practice.

 

[JAZJB]

I’m sticking with it. I know that I want one and I’m not in any huge rush to get it, it’s worth the savings for me. I was at the Apple store yesterday for a different reason and they didn’t have much. Only the Gold stainless.

Apple stores have all the watches in stock. I ordered and picked up the GSS 44mm on Saturday at my local store!!

 

[Vanilla35]

Apple stores have all the watches in stock. I ordered and picked up the GSS 44mm on Saturday at my local store!!

Where are you located?

 

[Tapiture]

Apple stores have all the watches in stock. I ordered and picked up the GSS 44mm on Saturday at my local store!!

That’s an incorrect blanket statement because I can tell you with certainty that my store did not have many SKUs in stock.
[doublepost=1537828151][/doublepost]I also just tried to get it on the Apple website, said it wouldn’t deliver until October 22-29 and wasn’t available for in store pickup.