Adorama BMCC PreOrder status

Blackmagic has told me - and I think it's been said here as well - that they're sending the same number of cameras to each of their offices (which I take to mean the six listed on the company's website - USA, Europe (UK), Australia, Asia (Singapore), China and Japan), as if that's an indication of fairness. If the policy results in American customers now getting their cameras almost immediately whilst Europeans are still waiting after 10 months, then something has obviously gone badly wrong.

Could the disparity be because the UK office covers the whole of Europe, the Middle East and South Africa, which have a combined population three times that of the USA?

Just to let you know here at Media Revere we ordered our camera last August from BH Photo and still have not even received an update on the statues of their order. I sincerely doubt that people are getting their cameras immediately, and if so its prob from a shop that had a very very small waiting list, perhaps none at all!

I sincerely doubt that people are getting their cameras immediately, and if so its prob from a shop that had a very very small waiting list, perhaps none at all!

I'm not familiar with US distributors, but isn't this thread about how Adorama is now supplying cameras which were ordered last month, and has nearly cleared its backlog?

I ordered mine EF mount in september 25th and didn't received yet, Helen, can you tell me if something is wrong? since there is some people that ordered in november and already received. thanks.

Please email me directly: Helen@adorama.com with your original Internet order confirmation number (beginning with A) so I can check

I just got an e-mail from Adorama saying that my credit card was declined specifically for my BMCC EF mount. Called the credit card company and they don't have any idea why. So, we'll have to get this straightened out. I hope that means that Adorama anticipates shipping my BMCC in the near future. Unfortunately, since it is Saturday, I'll have to spend the weekend in anticipation that is more anxious than normal!

Unfortunately, the e-mail I received was some sort of system glitch, according to the CSR on the phone. Still no BMCC in the near future for me, it seems.

Unfortunately, the e-mail I received was some sort of system glitch, according to the CSR on the phone. Still no BMCC in the near future for me, it seems.

That hurts.

I must say I'm on the list of frustrated buyers. I pre-ordered with B&H in October and obviously like everyone else had no camera in sight. So after seeing how great Adorama has been between getting people cameras and Helen jumping on here answering questions for people (which B&H would never answer any of my questions) I decided to send Helen an email simply asking approx when I could get a camera from them if I canceled my B&H order and placed one with Adorama (this was on February 5th). Her response was that the purchasing manager would try to get me a camera by the end of the following week (15th) or at the latest the end of the month (so this Thursday). I have since followed up with Helen multiple times and am literally getting the exact same "we have no idea and can be no help" responses that I got from B&H. I've literally just asked, "okay you don't know when you're getting more, but how many are on the list, or how far down on the list am I?" and have gotten nothing. I was so blown away by Adorama, until now. I really think companies owe it to customers to at least tell them those simple things. I get that they cant really give a date since they're at the mercy of the Manufacturer, but how hard would it be to say "well you're #20 on a list of 60" or something.

I've spent well over $90k with B&H in the last 5years (I'm sure theres people here who have done MUCH more) but I was so excited to see Adorama as a major competitor on here and was planning on switching a lot of business to them, not so sure now.

I asked Adorama about queue length about 3 weeks ago. They responded with a cut-and-paste reply that didn't address my question, I tried to clarify and asked again. It's now been over 2 weeks and no reply. I'm not really expecting one!

I asked Adorama about queue length about 3 weeks ago. They responded with a cut-and-paste reply that didn't address my question, I tried to clarify and asked again. It's now been over 2 weeks and no reply. I'm not really expecting one!

I appreciate how frustrating this is, but when I ask the purchasing manager for an update he can only tell me what the suppliers tell him. If they don't respond to him at all, or tell them they cannot give an ETA we have nothing to tell you.

While a copy and paste email may not feel as personal as an individually, hand-typed reply, if your email to CS requesting an update is just one of 200 they receive, and the response is the same, ie, we don't have any new information for you because the supplier hasn't given us an ETA on our next delivery, it's a lot more time-efficient to copy and paste the reply.

One problem with giving detailed updates based on supplier information is that if the supplier doesn't follow through as we were expecting, it is us who appears to be letting our customers down.
On the other hand, if we don't give information until we are 100% certain that a shipment is on the way to us - and exactly how many units are included - we appear to be being secretive.

A bit of a lose-lose for retailers.

I'm really sorry.

Hi Helen. Thanks for your reply.

Your reply does actually kind of illustrate the issue though. Both 'thegrinder' and I are asking about queue length in terms of numbers, not delivery dates or estimates. I appreciate my post above was not explicit about that, but both my emails were.

People would like to know what pre-order number they are, and they'd like to know how many unfilled pre-orders exist before they place an order. When I've asked those questions I either received a reply saying 'we have no information' or no reply at all. It does feel impersonal when the actual question isn't answered (or even addressed) and a reply to a different question ('how long untill my camera ships?') is pasted in responce.

Hi Helen. Thanks for your reply.

Your reply does actually kind of illustrate the issue though. Both 'thegrinder' and I are asking about queue length in terms of numbers, not delivery dates or estimates. I appreciate my post above was not explicit about that, but both my emails were.

People would like to know what pre-order number they are, and they'd like to know how many unfilled pre-orders exist before they place an order. When I've asked those questions I either received a reply saying 'we have no information' or no reply at all. It does feel impersonal when the actual question isn't answered (or even addressed) and a reply to a different question ('how long untill my camera ships?') is pasted in responce.

I'm sorry, but I don't know either how many orders we have or how many people are ahead of you on the wait list - nor do the other CS staff.

I find it incredibly hard to believe that Helen would be here on this forum to help facilitate customers who have purchased from Adorama and wouldn't have access to how many cameras are on order, or how many customers have placed orders. That makes literally no sense to me at all. At all. I understand you don't know when you will get them, I get that, but to say that you don't have access to find out how many are "on the list" I just frankly don't believe it.

I find it incredibly hard to believe that Helen would be here on this forum to help facilitate customers who have purchased from Adorama and wouldn't have access to how many cameras are on order, or how many customers have placed orders. That makes literally no sense to me at all. At all. I understand you don't know when you will get them, I get that, but to say that you don't have access to find out how many are "on the list" I just frankly don't believe it.

It is because I work only from home not from the offices in NYC, and do not have access to the part of the Adorama system which contains this information.
This is because I am not an Adorama employee; I am an Independent consultant, and my role is to support and advise customers who need additional advice and support with their order. However, this is one area that I simply cannot help with.

As I said, I'm sorry.

I find it incredibly hard to believe that Helen would be here on this forum to help facilitate customers who have purchased from Adorama and wouldn't have access to how many cameras are on order, or how many customers have placed orders. That makes literally no sense to me at all. At all. I understand you don't know when you will get them, I get that, but to say that you don't have access to find out how many are "on the list" I just frankly don't believe it.

It is because I work only from home not from the offices in NYC, and do not have access to the part of the Adorama system which contains this information.
This is because I am not an Adorama employee; I am an Independent consultant, and my role is to support and advise customers who need additional advice and support with their order. However, this is one area that I simply cannot help with.

As I said, I'm sorry.

You satisfied now thegrider? and by the way we use real names here,
And I'm sure "thegrider" is not your real name.

Thanks for all the hard work Helen.

What do you think? No thats not a satisfactory answer. And my name is Brian Grider. So "grider" is my "real" name

and my role is to support and advise customers who need additional advice and support with their order.

Perhaps some of your customers would value your recommendation for a company contact who can give them queue information because that information surely exists.

and my role is to support and advise customers who need additional advice and support with their order.

Perhaps some of your customers would value your recommendation for a company contact who can give them queue information because that information surely exists.

AGREED

and my role is to support and advise customers who need additional advice and support with their order.

Perhaps some of your customers would value your recommendation for a company contact who can give them queue information because that information surely exists.

So I asked the question, and this is the gist of what I was told (and it applies to ALL manufacturers who supply Adorama).
The Adorama policy is not to give details regarding a customer’s place ‘in line’ for two main reasons, one of which is that if we were to do this then there is every possibility that one of our competitors would find this out. They would then be able to use that information together with the date of your order to find out information about our business that no retailer would knowingly share with competitors.
There may also be retailer/vendor confidentiality agreements in place that I’m not aware of.
The other reason is that, with new releases and hard-to-obtain units, many customers place multiple orders across several retailers - often 7, 8 or more.
So if you imagine, the first retailer to unpack their delivery fulfils say 100 back-orders. Customers receiving shipping notices cancel their orders at all other retailers so everyone else on every retailer’s pre-order list potentially moves up 100 places immediately.

If this pattern is repeated across 6 retailers on the same day, the person who was number 650 at the retailer who unpacks their delivery last will receive his unit the same day, even if he ordered from a retailer who only received a consignment of 50 units - and even if he placed his order 3 weeks after everybody else!

If we told you, for example, that you were # 34 on our wait list for this unit, and we get 12 units or 32 units in our next shipment you wouldn’t be in luck. But if our next delivery has 34 or 35, you would be. We may not know exactly how many units will be in our next shipment (nor when we will get it) until it arrives.
It sounds a bit simplistic, I know, but it is pretty much how it works.

Thanks Adorama!
I`m very happy. Just received my camera past week with no problems.
My order was in October 23 and I have to recognize some anxiety in this months but patience has his prize.
The camera is a dream comes true, and changing from DSLR to BMCC was a huge step foward.
The time for waiting its over for me, now is time to enjoy such a great product.
thank you again.

Just received my camera past week with no problems.
My order was in October 23

It's a terrible shame that Blackmagic will do nothing to help its customers in Europe. I placed my order six months to the day before Guille, but I have no idea when I'll get my camera.

Just received my camera past week with no problems.
My order was in October 23

It's a terrible shame that Blackmagic will do nothing to help its customers in Europe. I placed my order six months to the day before Guille, but I have no idea when I'll get my camera.

You also didn't order from Adorama, and you ordered from inside a huge market with many re-sellers.
Its just unfortunate that BM only has one office in all of Europe.

I'll ask in this thread, since Helen seems to be one of the few customer-centered reps on this forum.

When was the last shipment that Adorama received?

If you can't say, please tell us. I'm not asking numbers or orders. Just date of last shipment received. It seems that nothing has been shipped out recently from BMD and I want to have better information with which to judge whether that perception is incorrect.

I'll ask in this thread, since Helen seems to be one of the few customer-centered reps on this forum.

When was the last shipment that Adorama received?

If you can't say, please tell us. I'm not asking numbers or orders. Just date of last shipment received. It seems that nothing has been shipped out recently from BMD and I want to have better information with which to judge whether that perception is incorrect.

I honestly don't know when the last one was; I was told we expected one last week that didn't come, and that we expect it to arrive this week.

Presumably you don't know / can't say what the sizes of shipments you've been getting are?

Presumably you don't know / can't say what the sizes of shipments you've been getting are?

I don't get given that kind of info; and even if I did I have no clue if it would help. With Nikon and Canon, at least, I do know that it isn't unusual to receive a shipment with 6 units, then 10 days later a shipment with 60! Never seems to be any rhyme or reason to it.
That's why giving out a customer's place in line is pretty meaningless!

That's why giving out a customer's place in line is pretty meaningless!

Except of course, for customer satisfaction.

Thanks for your reply.

That's why giving out a customer's place in line is pretty meaningless!

Except of course, for customer satisfaction.

Thanks for your reply.

Well, I could tell you you were, for example, number 27 and if we get 28 tomorrow you are going to have a fab weekend; but if we get 26......

There are also issues to do with manufacturer / retailer agreements. I don't know about BM specifically, but that is certainly true of some of our suppliers.

Thank you, Helen. Again, your open and honest participation here is appreciated - even recognizing that there just aren't some things that get shared with you and there are some things you just cannot say.

Thank you, Helen. Again, your open and honest participation here is appreciated - even recognizing that there just aren't some things that get shared with you and there are some things you just cannot say.

+1

Thank you, Helen. Again, your open and honest participation here is appreciated - even recognizing that there just aren't some things that get shared with you and there are some things you just cannot say.

I joined this forum just to thank you for your sincere updates.

I just put my order in for a BMCC w/ you guys at Adorama because I'm tired of the poor service at B&H... this just shows that you guys are on the ball with at least being honest with your customers. I appreciate it. I'm looking forward to doing business with your guys more now.

- B

Helen really has been a great help in this whole frustrating process. Thanks Helen for joining us here

I'm just pleased that I'm able to be here, and will always offer as much support as possible

I was told we expected one last week that didn't come, and that we expect it to arrive this week.

Any update on the shipment that Adorama was supposed to have gotten last week? Just curious

I'm just pleased that I'm able to be here, and will always offer as much support as possible

Hi Helen, This thread was started by me, and It was only because there was a B&H thread about Pre orders, But I had no idea it would take you on a ride like this, and It was not my intention to put you or Adorama (on the hot seat so to speak) in this position of informing us "Daily" of the status you are receiving the Blackmagic Cinema Cameras, I hole hardheartedly started this thread for the sole purpose of complaining about the amount of units being received by the "Well Known" Camera Distributors such as Adorama, I now have (After 10 years) just discovered how Adorama competes with all the other competition...It is because of people like you who are passionate about customers and customer complaints.

To sum it all up, If I was Adorama I would give you a "Pay Raise" or Promotion just for the effort you have shown us here.
You have my respect, and my apology for starting you on this journey.

Thank you Helen Oster

I ordered two on 1/23/13. Just got a confirmation email saying they are shipping! Woot Woot!

I ordered two on 1/23/13. Just got a confirmation email saying they are shipping! Woot Woot!

That's great news! Congrats. I ordered shortly after you, so now I'm getting my hopes up!

I'm just pleased that I'm able to be here, and will always offer as much support as possible

To sum it all up, If I was Adorama I would give you a "Pay Raise" or Promotion just for the effort you have shown us here.
You have my respect, and my apology for starting you on this journey.

Thank you Helen Oster

DItto

I ordered two on 1/23/13. Just got a confirmation email saying they are shipping! Woot Woot!

Seriously? I'm skeptical only because you joined today, and bring such wonderful news. If it's not too much to ask could we see confirmation? like black out all sensitive info and all that, but wow. awesome news.

I ordered two on 1/23/13. Just got a confirmation email saying they are shipping! Woot Woot!

If this is true I might have to order to EU from Adorama seems faster!

I think there's many EU buyers who placed orders with Adorama early Feb when news of their shipping Jan orders came out.

CVP, the biggest reseller in the UK, has had 20 units so far (and apparently ordered 200 on launch day). They are still shipping April 2012 orders.

I ordered two on 1/23/13. Just got a confirmation email saying they are shipping! Woot Woot!

Seriously? I'm skeptical only because you joined today, and bring such wonderful news. If it's not too much to ask could we see confirmation? like black out all sensitive info and all that, but wow. awesome news.

I'm not so skeptical, because it fits with other recent reports. Prior to this report, there were other reports from those who had ordered in early- and mid-January from Adorama. They were receiving their orders. Check back a few pages in this thread.

I ordered by Adorama on 2/8/13. This morning I got a message saying that there was an issue with my CC. I called my bank and they didn't see any issue on their end. Unfortunately, Adorama customer service is closed on Saturday so I won't be able to find out what's going on until Sunday.

I also have an order with B&H that was placed on 7/29/12. I may be close on that. I had done Adorama as a backup but I am now going to shoot my feature film with both cameras and may sell one when I'm done (or maybe keep both).

I ordered by Adorama on 2/8/13. This morning I got a message saying that there was an issue with my CC. I called my bank and they didn't see any issue on their end. Unfortunately, Adorama customer service is closed on Saturday so I won't be able to find out what's going on until Sunday.

I also have an order with B&H that was placed on 7/29/12. I may be close on that. I had done Adorama as a backup but I am now going to shoot my feature film with both cameras and may sell one when I'm done (or maybe keep both).

Don't get your hopes up. See my post a few pages back. This very thing happened to me a few weeks back. It was a system glitch. The e-mail arrived on a Saturday morning (oddly). My credit card company said there was no indication at all of an attempt to charge. I contacted Adorama the following Monday and they apologized that it was a system glitch.

I ordered by Adorama on 2/8/13. This morning I got a message saying that there was an issue with my CC. I called my bank and they didn't see any issue on their end. Unfortunately, Adorama customer service is closed on Saturday so I won't be able to find out what's going on until Sunday.

I also have an order with B&H that was placed on 7/29/12. I may be close on that. I had done Adorama as a backup but I am now going to shoot my feature film with both cameras and may sell one when I'm done (or maybe keep both).

Sounds like they were getting ready to ship your camera. I ordered on 02/05/13 and have not received a message yet. I'm hoping mines will ship out with yours as well. Good luck!

First post on these boards, but I ordered from Adorama as well, 2/7/13, I have not yet received any emails yet, but reading these comments makes me quite anxious! I also had an order with b&h for Dec. 11th, but I have a feeling that it might be a while before I see a camera from them.

Adorama is moving through these orders faaaast

Ordered on 2/6, order status still says backordered but my CC was charged on 3/8 for the over night shipping amount, the transaction is still pending.

I have a preorder with Safe Harbor, ordered on 6/18/12. It is going to be crazy if I get the camera through Adorama before Safe Harbor.

Am I wrong here, or should I start getting excited?

Tried to call Adorama customer service this morning but they don't operate on Sat/Sun. I'll give them a call first thing Monday. If you've been charged, then that's pretty good news. My conjecture is that they have received a shipment into their warehouse and the automated systems were allocating the inventory to existing orders. The charge would show up first but the shipping labels wouldn't be generated until an actual person in the warehouse prepares the order. Then notification would come. I'll grill them more when I talk to them in the morning.

Tried to call Adorama customer service this morning but they don't operate on Sat/Sun. I'll give them a call first thing Monday. If you've been charged, then that's pretty good news. My conjecture is that they have received a shipment into their warehouse and the automated systems were allocating the inventory to existing orders. The charge would show up first but the shipping labels wouldn't be generated until an actual person in the warehouse prepares the order. Then notification would come. I'll grill them more when I talk to them in the morning.

The CS staff on the 'phones won't have any idea first thing in the morning!

If there is sufficient allocation for your order to be filled, it will ship tomorrow. The most efficient way to assess the status of your order is to go into your account and you can check the progress of your order while it's being processed.

Pending - order has been submitted and is being imported to our database

On Hold - order is being verified or has payment issues

Ready - order is ready to be processed

Picked - order is currently being picked in the shipping department

Invoiced - order has been finalized and ready to be packed

Shipped - order has been shipped and is in transit

Backorder - one or more of the items in your order are out of stock; we are waiting for the item(s) to become available

Canceled - the order is canceled.

Tried to call Adorama customer service this morning but they don't operate on Sat/Sun. I'll give them a call first thing Monday. If you've been charged, then that's pretty good news. My conjecture is that they have received a shipment into their warehouse and the automated systems were allocating the inventory to existing orders. The charge would show up first but the shipping labels wouldn't be generated until an actual person in the warehouse prepares the order. Then notification would come. I'll grill them more when I talk to them in the morning.

The CS staff on the 'phones won't have any idea first thing in the morning!

If there is sufficient allocation for your order to be filled, it will ship tomorrow. The most efficient way to assess the status of your order is to go into your account and you can check the progress of your order while it's being processed.

Pending - order has been submitted and is being imported to our database

On Hold - order is being verified or has payment issues

Ready - order is ready to be processed

Picked - order is currently being picked in the shipping department

Invoiced - order has been finalized and ready to be packed

Shipped - order has been shipped and is in transit

Backorder - one or more of the items in your order are out of stock; we are waiting for the item(s) to become available

Canceled - the order is canceled.

Hi Helen,

If an order is charge, does that mean the order will ship shortly after? In other words, if it was charge this Friday, does it mean it will ship tomorrow? Just want to confirm the " Adorama only charges when the product is available to ship" policy.

Thanks!

Hi Helen,

If an order is charge, does that mean the order will ship shortly after? In other words, if it was charge this Friday, does it mean it will ship tomorrow? Just want to confirm the " Adorama only charges when the product is available to ship" policy.

Thanks!

Yes, we only charge when an order ships. However, double-check that it really IS a charge, and not just a 'hold' on your funds by your bank to establish the authenticity of the purchase and purchaser!

Did any of you early Feb. guys get any shipping confirmations on your orders yet? I order on the 14th and that would mean I'm inches away.