B&H Photo and Video flagrantly buying/botting Subscribers, Followers, Likes, and Reviews

[Tranasaurus Reks]

Just thought it would be funny to share the most obvious instance of somebody buying Youtube Subscribers and Views that I have ever seen. I was browsing videos on the Sony C-80, and I came across their channel and was so surprised when I saw their stats. Their Youtube channel has 929,000 subscribers, but averages 5k views per video. They have 6 videos over 10 million views, with one having 66 million views but having only 3.6k likes and 586 comments. I wouldn't be surprised if they bought the comments as well, because they just don't care. Granted, this is nowhere near close to the level of sellers on Amazon who buy 5 star reviews, but honestly I was more amused than appalled.

B&H Photo/Video is a retailer/distributor for many electronics, including pro audio gear, and I don't think anyone here actually uses them, but their company apparently makes more than 100 million USD, so they aren't exactly small. Their Wikipedia page also claims some interesting things about B&H, but those are actually serious and I can't verify that they are true. What I can do is laugh at the idea that 20 million people would watch a generic customer support story that was not in any way, shape, or form made up to promote the company.

Happy New Years! Hopefully this situation got a laugh from you and brightened your day.

Edit 1-8-2024:

A quick Google Search of B&H Photo brings you to a Twitter/X account with 492K Followers but averaging only 5 Likes per tweet, a Facebook account with 911K followers and 888K likes averaging only 3 comments per post, and an Instagram account with 547K Followers but averaging only 1k likes per post. I can't say whether or not they buy reviews off of every site, but on TrustPilot B&H has 307,471 Reviews averaging 4.9/5 Stars, and while TrustPilot is well known as a corrupt website, the sheer number of reviews that B&H has is a different level of absurdity because they have more than 2x the reviews of Amazon (aggregate of ~70k for all region specific sites), eBay (aggregate of ~50K for all region specific sites), and Walmart (aggregate of ~20K for all region specific sites) combined. On ShopperApproved, B&H has 786,515 Reviews averaging 4.9/5 Stars, and while ShopperApproved is another corrupt reputation management website, the numbers themselves are absolutely insane.

It's at the point where it becomes comical on how B&H blatantly buys their promotion because of the ridiculousness of it all, they don't even try to hide it. Whether or not B&H's buying experiences are great, this particular aspect of their business model is so funny.

 

[Gold]

I use them when I need something they have. They are local so UPS ground shipping is next day. They also have a brick and mortar store. When I needed some video stuff, which I know nothing about, like a tripod, I could go there and see a bunch of choices.

 

[Spiritworks]

I've purchased from them many times over the past several years. Apple products, Tascam products, Canon cameras, Samsung TVs. Good prices, quick shipping and never any problems.

 

[Tubetec]

Just goes to show the internet will feed you as much BS as you can eat

 

[SubSpec]

Buying bots aside, they're actually pretty great. Early last year I sent an email on a whim to offer $700 for an open box item listed for $1200, providing my justification as to why that seemed a fair price. They replied with a purchase link at that price and I instantly bought it. That was the most pleasant haggling experience I've had

Edit: Well, after reading said wiki I'll amend my "they're actually pretty great" to "I've had pretty great buying experiences with them"

 

[Brian Roth]

It's been at least a dozen years since I did significant business with B&H (pro audio and video equipment purchases). But they had good prices, inventory and service at that time.

Bri

 

[Tranasaurus Reks]

Buying bots aside, they're actually pretty great.

Honestly, whether or not I agree with the botting, I can understand why they value social media influence alot, because a lot of people tend to gravitate towards "popular" brands as if their level of following somehow validates their quality.

A quick Google Search of B&H Photo brings you to a Twitter/X account with 492K Followers but averaging only 5 Likes per tweet, a Facebook account with 911K followers and 888K likes averaging only 3 comments per post, and an Instagram account with 547K Followers but averaging only 1k likes per post. I can't say whether or not they buy reviews off of every site, but on TrustPilot B&H has 307,471 Reviews averaging 4.9/5 Stars, and while TrustPilot is well known as a corrupt website, the sheer number of reviews that B&H has is a different level of absurdity because they have more than 2x the reviews of Amazon (aggregate of ~70k for all region specific sites), eBay (aggregate of ~50K for all region specific sites), and Walmart (aggregate of ~20K for all region specific sites) combined. On ShopperApproved, B&H has 786,515 Reviews averaging 4.9/5 Stars, and while ShopperApproved is another corrupt reputation management website, the numbers themselves are absolutely insane.

It's at the point where it becomes comical on how B&H blatantly buys their promotion because of the ridiculousness of it all, they don't even try to hide it. Whether or not B&H's buying experiences are great, this particular aspect of their business model is so funny.

 

[hodad]

B&H blatantly buys their promotion

I can tell you that they certainly tempt actual customers into reviewing service. "Review your recent transaction for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate!" I have done business recently with B&H, & I confess I am probably responsible for at least 2 of the glowing reviews.

 

[JohnRoberts]

web merchandising is funny, not hahah funny, but used cars, snake oil funny.

I just got off a chat with amazon customer service over a shorted delivery. The chat agent was ironically name "Walay" , at least they have a sense of humor.

JR