Best 34th Street Gifts, Day One: B&H Trolley Lust

For the week before Christmas I'll post fabulous 34th Street gift sources.Today features B&H, the world-famous photo & video store.

It's not that I don't love the electronics and the cameras at B&H (I want this one, get $100 off this camera until 1/08/2011):

And it's not that I don't love the knowledgeable and efficient B&H customer service (last visit George and I waited under five minutes after joining a really long line).

What I really love about B&H is their mesmerizing trolley system. Today's post is an homage to B&H's trolley and why it needs to be installed in my home. Hey, Christmas is coming, and my husband might need some help.

B&H, perfect at almost everything! But to be honest, the actual bins are lacking in sex appeal.

Never seen it? Go visit the store and look up. There you will see green bins traveling around the store with shoppers' items. This system enables one to shop unimpeded, sans sore arms carrying unwieldy boxes that knock into others. Shoppers can check out and then pick up their items right before walking out of the store. These magical bins also have special coding so they pop out at the proper department.

I really need specially coded bins for my apartment, where lots of junk has come to live. I could put our (aka "my") junk on the overhead trolley and watch it do laps. I would code my bins "kitchen" "bathroom" or "bedroom." Imagine, no more running out of toilet paper at inopportune moments! No more rummaging for chip clips and twist ties, or frantic searching for purple opaque leggings! But the best thing about an overhead trolley system? It is above my head. It isn't lying on the ground, sitting draped on my chairs, or hiding with my lost keys in the folds of the couch. Trolleys can save my marriage, keep my apartment clutter free, and make for good conversation starters at dinner parties. "Wow, nice overhead trolley!" "Thanks! It keeps all my junk on the move!" What can't an overhead trolley do?

George bought this lens. He always shops B&H, but not just for the great prices. He's into the really easy shopping experience, the 5-10 minutes guy-shopping cliche.

George also recommends this camera for a very good point and shoot digital.

I now challenge you to visit B&H and deny Trolley Lust. Impossible!


B&H New York Superstore, 9th Avenue at 34th Street

B&H for BTS

Former colleague Jeffrey is back in town after a pleasant beach summer and is BTS'ing a higher education. Translate: he had a lot of fun but now needs to stock up for grad school. So the other day we strolled down to 34th Street's B&H for some last minute BTS computer supplies.

First, thank-you, B&H, for the fabulous air conditioning. The temporary Halloween store on 34th Street could learn a lot from your perfectly chilled shopping environment. Second, Jeff would like to thank you for the great price on his printer, the Canon PIXMA MX340:


Jeff did his homework, and said it was the cheapest in town. He's correct, as this printer is $30-$40 less at B&H than other electronics stores:

• J&R - $89.99
• Best Buy - $79.99
• B&H - $49.95

But this is B&H, so probably it is the lowest price on this printer in the universe. And it's B&H, so hyperbole is allowed, because you will get the best price every time and always find what you need. Now go tell me in comments how duh, you already know this.

Fashion photogs take note: B&H will be closed during Rosh Hashana, from 1pm on September 8th until September 12th, when the store will reopen.


B&H Photo & Video, "The Professional's Source" (this is so true, photo-journalist types are all over this place) 420 9th Avenue at 34th Street

The Amazing World of B&H

Fashion week isn't just a parade of fashion. It's also, especially for bloggers, time to parade the tech goodies. And if you are desperate for something new, something upgraded, and something involving lots of stuff I don't understand, go to the New York City's best electronics store, B&H. Yesterday I tagged along as George (left, tripod shopping) utilized some coveted gift certificates.

B&H is so widely loved it has a worldwide reputation. The store is big but ridiculously well organized. I wish these guys could drop by my apartment and do a little arranging. B&H has everything and help is everywhere. Every section has floor staff waiting to assist (see George above). And their staff is so well-trained and knowledgeable, it's common practice for them to talk someone out of a pricier item if they think it doesn't fit their customer's needs. It's like a salesperson telling you those $289 jeans look awful on your ass, why not just get some of these $59 jeans that are perfect for your body type? Hahahahahaha, I know, naive, right? Not at B&H.

I pretended to pay attention while George talked to the camera guy about lenses and junk, but really I was distracted by this:

B&H really knows how to extend a shopper's high. When you decide what you want, they don't just hand it to you and let you go on your merry way. No, instead they give you a receipt, and put your box on this crazy conveyor belt! If you're lucky, you can watch it roll away, yes, AWAY from you! This is your time to savor how you felt when you first said yes, I'll take it. And maybe, if you're fast enough, you can chase your package through the store. You know we love something so much more if we have to chase it. I didn't actually see anyone do this, but a girl can dream.

click on these photos and look at the crates on the belt above everyone's head. Rad!

After paying, you go to conveyor belt central (above) and pick up your item. Even better, I've heard rumors of a basement conveyor system that is like the king of conveyor belt set-ups. I did witness a big traffic jam of crates being shunted to the basement. Cool!

More pics:

To distract me from the sight of a #4 Jets jersey (grrrr, it's like Chad never existed),

George showed me these:
Bags! Have you heard of Crumpler? I hadn't. They're supposed to be A+ bags for computers and etc.

Vests! Not as cute as Bebe Design Lab vest, however.

B&H is a no-brainer, but here's some tips: the owners observe the Sabbath, so they close early on Friday and aren't open on Saturday. As you can imagine, Sunday is packed. George has experienced this, and said although the staff is efficient, you will be waiting in line. So if you have to go on the weekend, go early. Or go today, since everyone's at the beach! B&H is also open on Labor Day, from 10am - 7pm.

B&H, 420 9th Avenue between 33rd & 34th. Go here for more information on their New York Superstore located in the 34th Street district.