FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
I've been buying enlarging paper from B&H for many years. Lately they have less in stock & more items tagged "special order. Expected availability 2-4 weeks."
I ordered some 16x20 Foma Variant lll (and paid on ordering plus shipping charges)
on Sept 2..... It was delivered today Dec 16: 3 months later. Makes it tough to print a project with those kind of timelines. At the moment BH has only Ilford & a little Bergger in 16x20. From the outside it seems as if B&H is downsizing their enlarging paper inventory....
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
I know that with Freestyle, they make bulk purchases a few times a year, but they can sell out stock in between, so a wait until the next container comes in...
I buy from them locally, but I make sure to call in advance to reserve what maybe is the last 3 or so in stock so it is there when I stop by...
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
You should plan to keep about six months worth of your preferred paper on hand unless its a very common Ilford product, and even certain Ilford papers can be unavailable for several months on end. It's probably a combination of several factors, including how often a particular paper is made and the amount the official importer brings in at a time. I see no evidence that B&H is lowering their commitment. You could ask them. But being a major dealer to many people, they might turn over inventory quite a bit faster too. Usually when they're out of something, so are other sources. Foma is a relatively minor player in the US, so that could be a factor too.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
That may not be a B&H issue. Foma often goes months with some paper types out of stock in the US. If you use Foma quite often, I'd suggest ordering from Freestyle. I find them more reliable for Foma inventory. That said, I've sometimes waited months for Foma to restock them. Paper manufacturer does make a difference.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
Thanks all. It looks like a Foma issue. Too bad, since i really like the paper....much more so than Ilford Classic. As i mentioned above B&H has very little in stock in FB 16x20 which...used to be a very common size. Drew, I may as you suggested give them a call.... but they were noticeably unhelpful during the 3 month wait.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
@Greg Y, have you considered fotoimpex? I've ordered several 100-sheet boxes from them over the past couple of years and they're very reliable. I tend to make a larger order when I do order to mitigate the shipping cost.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
Thank you Alan, i may well consider them. BH free shipping has been an incentive in the past.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
its very sad to see how little B&H has in the store as well. their darkroom supply section has dwindled to one rack. paper is a sad selection of what seems to be slow movers.
B&H mail order is the best way to go now. they ship fast n its free.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
I've heard that. But maybe their much bigger warehouse inventory doesn't even need to be pushed in the store. That kind of retailing might be secondary business to them now; same goes for Freestyle. It's remarkable how fast they get goods to me, clear across the country. But
Foma is more the kind of brand Freestyle pushes, and I know that some of their private-label Arista products are Foma mfg.
Re: FB Enlarging paper availability at B&H
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Drew Wiley
Foma is more the kind of brand Freestyle pushes, and I know that some of their private-label Arista products are Foma mfg.
Oddly enough, at Freestyle both Arista & Foma Variant (16x20x25shts) are identically priced..... so what's the incentive to buy the house brand, considering one doesn't know exactly what product it is?