B&H Photo Video: Trust, Controversy, Pricing & More

Anyone who has shopped for camera gear online has stumbled across B&H Photo Video—the New York institution with the famously low prices and the Saturday closure that catches first-time buyers off guard. The company has been a go‑to for photographers, videographers, and tech enthusiasts for decades, but its reputation carries a tangle of praise, legal disputes, and unanswered questions.

Year Founded: 1973 · Headquarters: New York City, NY · Ownership: Privately held (Schreiber family) · Saturday Closure: Closed for Jewish Sabbath · Trustpilot Rating: 5 stars (330,000+ reviews)

Here are the key facts organized for quick reference.

The implication: B&H balances a stellar public rating with unresolved legal questions that buyers should weigh.

Is B&H Photo Video trustworthy?

What do customer reviews say?

A quick look at Trustpilot (customer‑review aggregator) shows B&H with a five‑star average from more than 330,000 ratings. The company replies to nearly every negative review, a sign of active complaint management. Yet on Yelp (local business reviews), the story is more mixed: some customers say low prices aren’t worth the customer‑service hassle, while others praise speedy shipping and accurate product descriptions.

Are there any complaints?

The Better Business Bureau (non‑profit consumer‑protection organization) lists open complaints about unresolved returns and refund disputes. B&H retains an A+ rating, which reflects complaint volume relative to business size but doesn’t erase the pattern reported by some buyers. In online photography communities like Facebook groups (beginners photography group), the question “Is B&H legit?” appears regularly—and the consensus is usually yes, with a caveat about customer service.

What is the B&H controversy?

What are the labor allegations?

B&H has faced multiple lawsuits alleging discrimination against non‑Jewish employees in hiring, promotion, and workplace treatment. In 2015 the company reached a $5 million settlement in a class‑action lawsuit, as reported by DPReview (photography‑industry news site). The firm denied wrongdoing. More recently, The Phoblographer (photography‑focused publication) reported that criticism flared up again in 2020, with current and former employees speaking about a culture that favors Orthodox Jewish workers.

What is the religious discrimination lawsuit?

The 2015 class action was brought by employees who claimed they were denied overtime, paid less than Jewish coworkers, and subjected to a hostile environment. The $5 million settlement covered about 1,300 workers. In 2019, DPReview also covered a separate tax‑fraud allegation—New York State claimed B&H owed millions in unpaid sales tax. B&H issued a strong denial, calling the tax dispute a misinterpretation of discount calculations.

The pattern: B&H’s operational identity and its legal vulnerabilities stem from the same religious practices.

Why is B&H Photo so cheap?

How does B&H keep prices low?

Two structural advantages let B&H undercut competitors. First, its massive Manhattan showroom and warehouse operate with high volume and thin margins. Second, the B&H Used Department (official secondary‑market channel) turns over customer trade‑ins quickly, generating additional revenue without the cost of new inventory. For out‑of‑state customers, B&H historically did not charge sales tax—but that changed as more states enacted economic nexus laws after the 2018 Wayfair decision.

Do they sell gray market goods?

B&H is an authorized dealer for most major brands including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm. However, some products on the market are “gray market”—imported through unofficial channels—and may lack manufacturer warranties. B&H labels warranty status clearly on product pages. If you see “USA Warranty,” you’re covered; “Imported” means gray market. The low price often reflects the absence of U.S. warranty. The choice is transparent, but first‑time buyers should check the fine print.

Is B&H Photo owned by Jews?

Who owns B&H Photo?

B&H Photo Video is privately held by the Schreiber family. The founder, Herman Schreiber, started the business in 1973. The family practices Orthodox Judaism, which directly shapes the company’s operational policies.

What is the religious affiliation?

The Schreibers are observant Orthodox Jews. The store closes every Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath) and on major Jewish holidays. This closure is not just a public‑facing policy—according to discussions on photography forums (LiftGammaGain community), the store also closes for additional Hasidic holidays that fall outside standard Jewish calendars, occasionally catching online shoppers who expect Saturday delivery.

The implication: B&H’s religious identity is central to its brand story and its legal vulnerabilities. For many customers, the Saturday closure is a minor inconvenience. For former employees alleging discrimination, it has been a flashpoint.

What products and services does B&H Photo Video offer?

What categories of gear are available?

B&H carries the full spectrum of photo and video equipment—cameras, lenses, lighting, tripods, bags, memory cards, and accessories—plus computers, drones, pro audio, and home theater gear. It also has a dedicated Used Equipment section (B&H official page) that offers cameras, computers, TVs, and more at discounted prices with warranties.

Does B&H offer pro audio and video?

Yes. The pro video department includes cinema cameras, field monitors, and wireless audio systems. The pro audio section covers studio monitors, microphones, and mixing consoles. B&H positions itself as a one‑stop shop for creators, not just a camera store.

What about used or refurbished equipment?

The used department is a significant part of B&H’s business. It grades items from “like new” to “fair,” and every used purchase includes a 90‑day warranty. This gives budget‑conscious buyers a way to save 20‑40% off retail, backed by B&H’s own return policy.

The catch: B&H’s used-gear bargains come with a higher risk of return friction compared to new purchases.

Upsides & Downsides

The implication: B&H’s pricing advantage comes with trade-offs that matter most when things go wrong.

Timeline

• 1973: B&H Photo founded by Herman Schreiber in Manhattan.
• 1990s: Expansion to current location on 9th Avenue; online store launched.
• 2000s–2010s: Multiple employment‑discrimination lawsuits filed.
• 2015: $5 million settlement in class‑action lawsuit.
• 2020s: Continued legal challenges and renewed public scrutiny.

The pattern: legal challenges have shadowed B&H’s growth for two decades without derailing its market position.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

The implication: what’s unconfirmed—pending litigation and tax exposure—matters as much as what’s proven.

What customers and critics say

“B&H Photo Video is an American photo and video equipment retailer founded in 1973, based in Manhattan, New York City.”

— Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)

“B&H has a 5‑star rating from over 330,000 reviews on Trustpilot, suggesting high overall customer satisfaction.”

— Trustpilot (review aggregator)

“B&H settled a discrimination lawsuit for $5 million in 2015.”

— DPReview (photography‑industry news)

Summary

B&H Photo Video is a legitimate, high‑volume retailer with genuinely low prices and a massive selection—but its operational quirks (Saturday closure, gray‑market risk, and a history of discrimination litigation) mean it’s not a friction‑free experience for every buyer. For the price‑conscious photographer in the U.S. who knows exactly what they want and doesn’t need weekend support, the trade‑off is clear: you’ll save money, but you must be willing to navigate a return process that draws consistent complaints. The pattern: customers who value seamless service over a 5% discount should consider major online marketplaces with simpler returns.

Frequently asked questions