I don't know if I've just been unlucky, but just about every interaction I've had with vendors over the past 2 months has caused troubles and went off-track. I'm in L.A. and have been trying to support local business, but unfortunately got burned every time.
I know it's not easy to be a vendor nowadays, I used to work for a systems integrator that dealt with all the studios. Turnarounds are very hard to guarantee, but you can't just keep telling customers whatever they want to hear regardless of reality. Unfortunately it looks like unless it's a super-common item, I'm better off ordering from the big B&H machine.
PS My first two PIX240 units were lemons that had to be replaced. Ugh!!
- I ordered AB-mount batteries from the corporate dept of an L.A.-based major chain. They were supposed to be ready for pickup a week later, but the sales lady was out and no one had any clue what I was talking about. It took an extra 2 weeks to get the items.
- I ordered a bunch of Switronix and Ikan parts from a major shop in Burbank. I explained my deadlines to ensure they'd get the items within 1.5 weeks. That never happened. Ironically, their friendly and upfront sales guy warned me against Ikan, yet the Switronix parts were delayed even more than the Ikans.
- I thought "that's what you get with budget brands", but the $700 MTF lens adapter that I ordered shipped with the wrong bracket. Granted, Mike Tapa promptly shipped the right one for free, but again, another 1.5 week delay.
- I had a custom foam insert made by a San Diego company. I had to send the parts in, and made it clear I had a shoot 8 days later and needed the gear back. They said "turnaround time to your door 4 days max". It took 10 days to get the parts back, plus they forgot to mention it'd take an extra 2 weeks to get the foam. Luckily I didn't need that gear on the shoot (and the results were great once the foam finally arrived).
- I needed a Universal Link from Cinevate, gave them my credit card info a month ago and never received anything.
I know it's not easy to be a vendor nowadays, I used to work for a systems integrator that dealt with all the studios. Turnarounds are very hard to guarantee, but you can't just keep telling customers whatever they want to hear regardless of reality. Unfortunately it looks like unless it's a super-common item, I'm better off ordering from the big B&H machine.
PS My first two PIX240 units were lemons that had to be replaced. Ugh!!
