Is Cinemek Scamming Me?

strancali said:
If you have paid via credit card, I suggest you do a chargeback immediately. Complaining to the BBB won't do you any good. You have 6 months to do a charge back with your cc company so that's the first thing you should do.
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Yeah, a BBB complaint sometimes is all it takes. It has worked for me a few times.

The last time I tried to file a dispute with my CC company the bank person told me Paypal would possibly cancel my account. Apparently, Paypal doesn't like that. Deal directly with Paypal, first, and if they don't respond, go file a dispute with your CC company.

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I think filmkidd is going about this the best way he can. In addition he's doing us a solid by relaying his experience with this company.

We know that there have been quite a few scammers on this board and (not calling anyone a scammer) a heads up is appreciated.
 
Thanks, jkc123. Well, Cinemek finally refunded my money but, because they chose to do it through Paypal, I only got $1,565.28 instead of the full $1,612.28, because Paypal charged me a $47.00 fee! So, instead of Cinemek adding $47.00 to the amount so I would get my full $1,612.28 back that I gave them 4 months ago, I'm only getting back $1,565.28! I'm not trying to nitpick here but, every other company I have dealt with, whether it be online or a brick and mortar store, has ALWAYS refunded me the entire amount, even if it meant they lost a few bucks in the process. Not only that, but, I never once received a single apology from either Jonathon or Cinemek for the way they treated a paying customer.
 
I think that's a completely legitimate complaint. Unless you asked for a Paypal then they should fully refund you. He originally told you he was sending a check so it is his mistake and he should have been aware that paypal grabs 3%.
 
Actually, if it's a *refund*, maybe Paypal should either not charge you are they should refund you that amount. You should ask Paypal about that.

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The problem is that PayPal only allow refunds within 60 days. After that, you must use the 'send money' feature and PayPal deducts a fee from the recipient. In this case, the fee should be covered by the 'seller'.
 
Hey Filmkid,
Thanks so much for posting about your situation. I'm in the market for an adapter. I'm having a hard time deciding. You just helped narrow the field.
I don't understand why someone would rely on one machine shop for production. Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket.
I would think a lot of the machining would be CNC and the machines are programmed. I would think those drawing programs could be taken to another machine shop,
and in possibly a short time, they could get back to production.

Anyway, I'm just blablabla at this point.

Thanks again Filmkid
 
No problem, Fresh Meat. I'm glad my experience gave you some much needed insight. Okay everyone, Jonathon Houser has come through in a big way and redeemed himself. He not only refunded me the $47 but added extra to that amount and he also sent me a nice apology email. No hard feelings, Jonathon. Thank you for staying true to your word and refunding my money. I hope Cinemek can come through this tough time. Thanks again and God bless.
 
Just wanted to say that I met Jonathon once at a dvxuser meeting in LA, and he seemed a very nice guy. I don't think he wants to scam anybody, but it looks like he definitely made some mistakes. I think once he has sorted out the problems with the machine shop etc. he deserves a second chance. From what I have seen at the meeting, his adapter seems to be a really nice and solid product....
 
For what its worth over the years I've noticed that a lot of decent people in small businesses don't handle owing people money very well even though their intentions are honorable. Maybe they feel guilty - who knows. While you do need to be firm its a good idea to not always jump to conclusions that they are trying to rip you off.

I worked for a young producer many years ago who ran out of money on a low budg shoot and I let him use my credit card to get through the day. He couldn't afford to pay me back and didn't answer my phone calls for 2 -3 years. I was patient though and for the last 20 he has been my most loyal client. I've made far more money off that transaction than I ever would have by calling him names.

I'm glad this had a happy resolution.
 
Very Lucky

Very Lucky

Hey, Filmkid

Do you think you could ask Jonathan for my refund? I've been asking him for one month and have not heard anything back at all. I ordered my unit in May and still nothing.

Frankly, you've done a service by speaking about your experiences. Cinemek is currently running a fraudulent business scheme (no matter what their intentions are) because they knowingly accept payments for orders without having the means to back them up. The only way that a scheme like this can continue is if no one talks.

I do hope Jonathan can pull this around, but he has not been redeemed in my eyes. Maybe if I got a refund, I could join the chorus. So, seriously, he seemed to listen to you, maybe you could put a word in for me. I'll even eat the $47 paypal fee. It's a lot cheaper than the $1600 I'm currently out.

Thanks!
 
Filmkid2003 said:
No problem, Fresh Meat. I'm glad my experience gave you some much needed insight. Okay everyone, Jonathon Houser has come through in a big way and redeemed himself. He not only refunded me the $47 but added extra to that amount and he also sent me a nice apology email. No hard feelings, Jonathon. Thank you for staying true to your word and refunding my money. I hope Cinemek can come through this tough time. Thanks again and God bless.
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Again, I am not in the business of scamming people. That accusation is quite serious and I take a bit of offense to it. A hard situation mixed with poor communication on our part is the issue. I will admit that. The paypal thing was not a reason to eek $47 out of you, just a miscommunication between the "refund" option and the "payment" option. The costs should have come to my account, not out of the payment. I don't issue many refunds via paypal.
 
EmilioMartinez said:
Hey, Filmkid

Do you think you could ask Jonathan for my refund? I've been asking him for one month and have not heard anything back at all. I ordered my unit in May and still nothing.

Frankly, you've done a service by speaking about your experiences. Cinemek is currently running a fraudulent business scheme (no matter what their intentions are) because they knowingly accept payments for orders without having the means to back them up. The only way that a scheme like this can continue is if no one talks.

I do hope Jonathan can pull this around, but he has not been redeemed in my eyes. Maybe if I got a refund, I could join the chorus. So, seriously, he seemed to listen to you, maybe you could put a word in for me. I'll even eat the $47 paypal fee. It's a lot cheaper than the $1600 I'm currently out.

Thanks!
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I've sent and email to you. Thanks!
 
cordvision said:
Just wanted to say that I met Jonathon once at a dvxuser meeting in LA, and he seemed a very nice guy. I don't think he wants to scam anybody, but it looks like he definitely made some mistakes. I think once he has sorted out the problems with the machine shop etc. he deserves a second chance. From what I have seen at the meeting, his adapter seems to be a really nice and solid product....
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That was at the meeting I held - I remember you being there too. :)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=153005

It was a great time for all who attended. A few G35's were sold and acquired directly at that meeting, and I was one of those happy buyers. It is my opinion that Jonathan Houser is NOT a scammer. He's a decent, friendly and inventive guy with some great products. The difficult situation that developed with Cinemek over this past year was very unfortunate. I'm not trying to make excuses for him though. Above all, it sounds like things are finally turning around for the better.

Maybe it's even time for another meeting? :) And perhaps Houser might want to attend again with a fresh batch of G35's when they're ready?
 
I could vouch for the greatness of the G35. IMO its the best adapter out there. Good luck to you Jonathan. Hope you get back on track real soon.
 
Man, sometimes this forum can be a really "tough room."

"It's a legal problem!"
"Get a lawyer!"
"Contact the BBB"
Jonathan's Great!
You shouldn't complain here . . .
I love Cinemek . . . yadda, yadda.

My view? Pretty simple: This (DVXUSER) is a community.
Month's without satisfaction from someone we know to have been reliable over time?
His question (IMHO) is/was perfectly legitimate.
I would hope that others that experience similar issues with vendors doing business in this community would ask similar questions . . . as you are doing your fellow DVXUsers a service (and perhaps putting a little extra heat on the vendor).

Website still says 3 week lead time.

Cinemek's experiencing a rough spot. It happens--they're not alone.
Good product--good people.
Hope it works out well (and soon).
 
dregenthal said:
Website still says 3 week lead time.
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Yeah - thing is it's always said 3 week lead time, for as long as I can remember.
So there is still no indication on the Cinemek site that the manufacturing is on hold... no info about manufacturing issues, etc.
And anyone is still able to place an order on their site.

Which theoretically means that orders are still being taken - yet from what Jonathan has said himself here it sound as if they cannot currently meet the orders they have.

Seems like asking for trouble to continue to take orders without giving your customers any sort of warning as to what is going on -

Maybe I'm mistaken in that - but from what I've seen on their site I don't think so.

Cinemek's experiencing a rough spot. It happens--they're not alone.
Good product--good people.
Hope it works out well (and soon).
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Agreed - it does happen, and no one should judge a company for having problems.
But it's how those problems are dealt with that is important.
 
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