This photographer bought one new Sony A7RIII camera but received two and he’s not the only one
Dec 8, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Share:
Most of us who order online have had shipping disasters at some point. Either the product shows up with bits missing, or it doesn’t show up at all. But what if you ordered a $3,200 camera like the new Sony A7RIII, and instead of receiving one, you received two?
Well, that’s exactly what happened to Louis Ferreira from SonyAddict, as well as aerial photographer Alex Workman, and probably others, too. Louis claims he knows of at least 20 others who’ve received an extra camera. They each ordered and paid for one camera body, but they each received two. An expensive make for a camera retailer to make.
It seems that everybody who received the extra camera in their box ordered from B&H Photo. And with at least 20 people having been beneficiaries of this mistake, that’s a retail loss of at least $64,000. Certainly not an inconsequential amount.
Legally, those who received an extra camera may not be required to return it, or even have to inform B&H of the mistake. But at least Louis and Alex ultimately returned theirs, after wrestling with their conscience for a little while first.
According to Alex, the person he spoke to at B&H didn’t seem that troubled by the $3,200 mistake. That they could “probably” send out a return shipping label. And even though he didn’t want to, he sent that second body back to B&H voluntarily.
You can read more of Louis’ account on Sony Addict, and Alex’s on Facebook.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Related Posts
Sony is bringing realtime Eye AF and native timelapse to the Sony A9, A7RIII and A7III
This photographer received a 30-page feedback from his client
Received a Christmas present powered by LiPo batteries? You’ll probably want to read this
The Sony A7RIII is the fastest camera out there for tethered shooting, moving photos in under a second
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
52 responses to “This photographer bought one new Sony A7RIII camera but received two and he’s not the only one”
Hmmm, I’d keep it but I’d rather have a free lens.
Sell it and get a nice lens for the camera I already own.
Now we know you have no integrity and honor.
No doubt, I’d return it (… but I’d expect that the seller paid me back the shipping cost! ?)
@bhphoto has always treated me well so I would return the favor, inform them, and return it. It is funny though, I was a fraction of a second away from ordering one too and decided to wait until after the first of the year.
Return it. It’s not mine
B&h are amazing so I would return it with a sorrow heart though…
Return it, not good to keep something that does not belong to me. B&H is an awesome company and should be treated like I want to be treated….
If it was a sony i would keep it for spareparts???
You’re gonna need those spares since it is a Sony…
I’d send it back if not for carrying on with the sending fees.
return it – there still is ethical behavior
Man, I ordered mine from Adorama… Apparently a mistake
Come to think of it. – This could very well be a guerilla marketing stunt.
Not sure why any “wrestling” was required. It should go back.
not returning it would definitely bite your butt sometime if not now in the future!
Definitely return it. We are human beings with an ethical code written in us after all.
Return it. I don’t want that bad karma.
I once received 2 entire stereo systems. The supplier was shocked and very grateful that I called them about it as they never would have figured it out. Just trying to do the right thing!
Happened to me from Calumet. After a workshop through them I ordered studio equipment. I received my order, but a week later I received a duplicate order. I called my rep, Rick and informed him. He asked if my CC had been charged for the duplicate? I said no. He said Merry Christmas. ?
Congratulations
Right. Well done.
If someone accidentally picked up your camera bag, should they return it or keep it? Basic morality. Give it back.
Here’s the thing: “Basic morality” isn’t that “basic” as many people don’t have such sense of it
Danilo Rocha too bad for those people
When it comes to billion dollar companies… fuck them. From there if it were another person’s.. I’d drive 500 miles to give it back to them.
If they decide to keep something they took even by accident, that’s theft. Receiving something in the mail that you didn’t order is an entirely different issue. Legally you can keep it, morally not so much especially if you realize there was an error and it is something of value.
Return it. Instagram.com/LuJiaChenPhotography
Keeping would be theft.
Felony theft at that price.
It’s not theft. You clearly don’t understand the law. See above FTC regs.
Nope. You clearly don’t understand the law. Read the FTC regs posted by another user about duplicate or unordered items being gifts.
Usually the comments section is the best place to lose faith in humanity.
This is one of those rare instances that helps restore that faith.
(Y)
Look up the thread.
If one has no integrity and honor, one would of course keep it.
Send it back, you don’t need it. Think about another person’s dream or a career you are helping, then you can give yourself a pat in the back for doing so. I can’t afford that much, but if I ever find one, I’d give it back. I can’t be the only one who loves photography and it’d be nice to meet someone just by that deed.
Per: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unordered-merchandise
“What do you do when you receive merchandise that you didn’t order? According to the Federal Trade Commission, you don’t have to pay for it. Federal laws prohibit mailing unordered merchandise to consumers and then demanding payment.
Here are some questions and answers about dealing with unordered merchandise.
Q. Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered?
A. No. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift.
Q. Must I notify the seller if I keep unordered merchandise without paying for it?
A. Although you have no legal obligation to notify the seller, you may write the seller and offer to return the merchadise, provided the seller pays for shipping and handling.”
That being said, there are no FTC regulations regarding Karma can do when it catches up with you.
I wouldn’t keep it.. I’d sell it. ??
Amazon? Keep it and sell it. Exploit the shit out of big traders.
Local dealer? Give it back.
15 years ago HP used to ship their larger high performance A3 printer 2 pcs side by side on the pallets. And the larger nation wide distributors did ship out one pallet per ordered printed.
Same with some larger monitors.
That is a no brainer. Of course you keep it !
Keep it
I always look at this type of thing as a test. Other people may not be watching but my God is and if it’s as small as a missed box of bandaids at checkout or a $3200 camera do the right thing.
Give it to some really talented kid artist who can really make a difference with it. ?
Send it back at their cost and they also have to pay me for the import taxes I had to pay when it arrived, I have no problem what so ever since it will come out of a humble worker salary for sure, is the same when a teller on a bank gives you a little extra cash, they are the ones in problem that have to put the money back, it happened a few times and I give the money back since karma is just around the corner and I don’t want that thing biting me anytime soon.
Split the difference – donate it to a local youth camera club, school photography teacher, or similar group where you know it will be cherished. Send B&H a receipt so they can write it off.
A company like Sony F them.
Jesus, this guy made a huge and exaggerated drama over his “moral dilemma” in order to get his name published. This kind of stuff happens all the time and anyone with morals would just have sent it back and that would have been the end of it. What an attention whore.
Return. Besides not needing it I would be taking revenue away from a business I’m supposed to be supporting. And…I feel quilty way to easily.
Should’ve sold it and donated the money to charity. B&h doesnt need their $ back esp when they don’t seem to care much about the error in the first place.
There are a lot of people posting that they don’t care if it is a big company that is the loser. You need to remember that real people work for that company. If a mistake is discovered, one person may lose his or her job. You should try to protect that person
What is really disturbing, is that 43% of the voters are basically dishonest. Very Sad indeed!