Update: New One showed and ..Has anyone bought a Sigma 18-125 recently?

[Mickeears]

Just off the phone with B&H.

They admitted to sending me 2 x a returned lens, asked why they were returned, I was told it was not what the customer had ordered.

Asked them why they sent it to me when I ordred new ones

The advised they will send me a new lens this time, It however will take 4-5 + days. I told them in a nice way I will believe it when I receive it, if not I will return my whole order.

 

[WillCAD]

That's the worst B&H story I ever heard! I mean, B&H makes mistakes, like any other company, but this is the worst I've ever heard of.

B&H will eventually make it right. They may not off up a lot fo compensation for your trouble (try asking), but they will definitely get you the right lens in brand-new condition.

 

[Mickeears]

DO you think it wil be OK to use this lens for the holiday weekend then return it?

 

[Anewman]

DO you think it wil be OK to use this lens for the holiday weekend then return it?

The lenses are already used, you using them will not lower their resale value.
It is not your fault that the lense you paid for(with 2 day shipping) was not delivered on time. I would not really brag about using it if I did.

I would have tested the first lens and if it worked perfectly(no back/front focus), kept it. The lens being brand new does not always equal a perfect lens.

You will be in a position to test 3 lenses side by side and keep the best copy.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

maybe B+H ordered is through Gary Fong eStore (inside joke)

 

[captaincrash]

Looks to me as if the only 18-125 SIgmas that B&H has are returned copies. And the most benign story they had to offer you was what they said - they were order mistakes. Yeah... like as if I ordered a platic fantastic 50mm f1.8 and they sent me a 200mm f1.8 I would retrun it. Or vice versa. I think they knew exactly what they were doing... or at least someone did know. I think this just shows they have two copies of the lens that were dogs of some sort. Maybe these are samples that keep missing focus or they might have other "issues".

NOW... I think that it is common knowledge that many models of lense from almost every manufacturer. SO this is NOT a SIGMA 18-125 thing... even though Photozones' test unit had a focus "issue". OK... OK... I'll lay off.

At this point I think you are within your rights to call and politely speak to a manager. A real manager. And convey that you are moderately disappointed and surprised in light of the otherwise amazing reputation that B&H had. AND that you've shared your amazing story of dissappointment on-line here and elsewhere in digital SLR forums. AND... you were wondering what sort of assurances you'll have that B&H will make this "right". SO you'd be fishing for some sort of courtesy... like maybe a partial refund or free filter.... or at least a free pack of lense tissue. WHo knows.... maybe they'll do something really nice for you to make it right! Like with Kelly and her Gary fong LS2... if I read it right she got it (late) and they refunded her 100%... so ended up with it for free. NOW - in your case I don't know that they'd do it free - but maybe they'd let you keep the open box one free or for half price or something?

I once ordered a $250 b aby stroller on-line and they sent me 2. I was feeling honorable and had no use for the 2nd one - so I called them to tell them I got two. They confirmed I had not been billed twice and politely informed me to keep the 2nd one at no cost! Amazing.

I do believe my situation differs though in that supposedly I read recently that if you get the wring item in the mail from a retailor you are entitled to keep it FREE - according to US consumer trade law. SO - my free 2nd stroller fell into a crack where the retailor HAD to give it to me free - even though I offerred to send it back IF they paid for shipping charges. WHich I did reassert (after they offerred it free to me). And they reaffirmed that I could and should just keep it. Amazing.

SO give a manager a call. In so may ways you may have been sent an item incorrectly and maybe you are really entitled to keep it free?

And if this becomes the case - and "I" am the primary reason you got to keep it free - then I'll accept a crisp $1 bill as my consultation fee in full in the matter!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I hope I don't sound like I'm defending B+H, but I have a very similar mistake happened to me. When the 18-200 was released, I ordered one (was thinking about upgrading my 18-125 to 18-200). So my friend ordered it and Sigma sent her a 18-125. She didn't check the content and just gave me the entire shipping box to me.

Once I got home, I opened the brown box, and stupidly not even looked at the Sigma box I opened it and mount it on my camera. It's not until I zoomed all the way in I realized there is something wrong with the lens... it's no different than my 18-125 at the long end. DOH!

I could've as easily returned it to my friend's store, but I figured it's my mistake for not even looking at the box (or the lens marking "18-125") when I mounted the lens to my camera, so I sold it "like new, in box, used once, wrong purchase" and since I bought it at cost, I can sell it at a very similar price I bought it for (I only lost $20)

Long story short, maybe, JUST MAYBE, somebody ordered 18-200 and B+H shipped them the 18-125 instead and the people at the receiving end made the same mistake I did.

 

[jann1033]

you paid for a new lens , not once but twice they sent you a used lens and now want to make you wait for 4-5 days when you paid for 2 day shipping..uhuh wouldn't make me happy...i do not try to get something for nothing but i do expect what i order when i order it( we have a a business and that's how we run it so know it is possible to do so) they should have at the very least overnighted you a brand new lens the first time....

not that it always works but you have a valid complaint and they made 2 "mistakes" ( giving them the benefit of the doubt.) I'd write to someone snail mail( and keep copies, if you write they can pass it along to someone who can really do something about it) like cs at home office, and nicely , using some humor if you can ,first tell them you bought from them due to their excellent rep,etc.,.explain what happened, if they resolved it but also that a lens you ordered shipped 2 day you still don't have a week later ( or however late) plus the fact you had to mail 2 back, they should do something, even if it's a $20 of your next order. if they don't next time take your business elsewhere.

like i said i don't rip people off but if i get something i ordered that is wrong or spoiled, i tell them...1) if nobody does, they can't improve a weak part of their business. 2) you have an implied contract with them( not sure that is the correct term) you pay they send and they need to hold up their end of the contract and haven't...if it truly is a mistake they will want to know it, if not they are not reputable ( maybe they have changed hands or whatever)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

One thing for sure, you should at least get your shipping cost to be fully refunded.

Furthermore, I strongly believe that you're entitled for some kind of discount for all of these stupidities and delays. What you are experiencing is completely unacceptable.

 

[captaincrash]

One thing for sure, you should at least get your shipping cost to be fully refunded.

Furthermore, I strongly believe that you're entitled for some kind of discount for all of these stupidities and delays. What you are experiencing is completely unacceptable.

I strongly believe that you're entitled for some kind of discount for all of these stupidities and delays. What you are experiencing is completely unacceptable.

I agree entirely on that!

 

[Mickeears]

I was going to try the lens this weekend.

Just for the record the new-old 2nd one that they sent me is not for my camera,the mount is so much smaller.

I have just been shooting with 85 1.8

 

[Mickeears]

Update: Spoke to them again today and I think I have figured out what they have done.

Originally they gave me the wrong SKU #, this # was for a Sigma Lens for a Sigma camera 2 X, They have rectified the situation and are overnighting me the correct Sigma lens for a Canon Dslr.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Did you at least get all your shipping cost (including your initial 2-day shipping cost) reimbursed?

 

[Mickeears]

Kelly,
All was worked out and I feel good about the outcome, shipping was taken care of.

Received the 18-125 lens about 10:30 this morn and had it on the camera about 10:33.

Bottom line B&H worked with me and will purchase from them in the future.
The Customer Service was great also.

 

[WillCAD]

Received the 18-125 lens about 10:30 this morn and had it on the camera about 10:33.

What took you so long? Only took about 60 seconds for me!

 

[Mickeears]

I was down in the shipping dept waiting for him ( sort of reminded when I was waiting outside the delivery room waiting for my first born) and it took me 2 minutes to get back to my office.