Is Merlin video dolly system any good?

A

allahkaram

Well-known member
Has anyone used Merlin video dolly systems? What do you think? Which one do you have? Also, do you guys have any recommendations?
 
Unfortunately I tried to purchase from them. Nothing shipped until the following year and constant emails to Terry Merlin begging him to ship the dolly. When it finally did arrive, my order was incomplete. The customer service is terrible, and the product is something you could make in your garage in a few hours. Do not buy the flex track for the dolly, it is just a garden hose. It states right on the hose itself "Contractor's Hose".

The PVC straight pipe looks custom made from the photos but it is not. It is a cheap PVC pipe with a smaller diamter pipe inside, the smaller pipe is cut and expanded to fit. The workmanship is very poor, definitely something you would be embarrassed about on the set. The dolly itself you could make easily with just a wheel kit and some aluminum tubing.

Buy from anyone else, or build it yourself. I regret purchasing from them and I have heard they do not issue refunds.
 
I too have bought from Terry Merlin. Well I say bought in loose terms. I paid over $500 for my dolly, but after 4 months of emails back and forth, back and forth, forth, forth, nothing has arrived. So sorry I can advise whether the dolly is any good. I can however advise that Merlin Dolly's don't arrive after you pay for them.
 
GeoffAnderson said:
I too have bought from Terry Merlin. Well I say bought in loose terms. I paid over $500 for my dolly, but after 4 months of emails back and forth, back and forth, forth, forth, nothing has arrived. So sorry I can advise whether the dolly is any good. I can however advise that Merlin Dolly's don't arrive after you pay for them.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your experience. Many people including me have had the same experience. I would recommend complaining to the BBB, I should have checked there first since Terry currently has a rating of "F" which is the worst possible. Eventually with enough people the word will get around about this.
 
I've also just been ripped off by Merlin Dolly and the owner/operator Terry Merlin. It's been 3 months and I'm still waiting for my rail slider. First I had order a track dolly but that never arrived and then he offered to change to the rail slider because he was now "out of stock" and "stuck in Customs" for months. So Terry then sent the wrong product to me and only half of the pieces for the rail slider. It was the wrong rail slider that he sent. Terry Merlin continued to say he would take care of it but it has now been almost 2 months and he is just lying through his teeth that he has sent it and his shipping department (there isn't one) has mixed up the orders. From what I gather everyone is being ripped off one after another by this company. I fortunately work in Calgary where he is based and I do intend to track him down in person very shortly when there on work. This company is a FRAUD. DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM AT ANY COSTS OR PRODUCT. I purchased a dolly from India as temporary fix and it was half the price but is of great quality. There are many other companies also that offer great products right here in North America and I can't say enough to buy from anyone but MERLIN DOLLY.

I have 100% of Terry Merlin's email correspondence to prove to anyone what he has done. I've taken legal action against him now also. If anyone needs proof of what has transpired with Merlin Dolly feel free to contact me at anytime.

I've offered Terry the chance to come clean and settle up but nothing yet. If he does I'll post here that he has done so.
 
Google Merlin video dolly - you get to a notice that says the owner of the company is deceased and that they are no longer doing business. Best you verify that the notice is legit.

I found an address at [h=1][/h]
- the phone number does not look right
[h=1]Company: MERLIN VIDEO DOLLY SYSTEMS (TERRY MERLIN)[/h] Address: 918 - 16TH CALGARY AB T2M 0K3 CA
Phone: 40339758

There are a couple of people who are shown at this address, you might phone one of them to ask if they know mr Merlin

Yinka Solomon in Calgary, Alberta (AB), T2M0K3 ... (403) 456-4700 at 918 - 16TH CALGARY AB T2M 0K3 CA
Slabica Mudric in Calgary, Alberta (AB), T2M0K3 ... (403) 455-5336 at 918 - 16 Ave NW 6 Calgary AB T2M 0K3 CA
Paul Spartacus 918-16 Ave N.W. Calgary Alberta T2M 0K3's (Canada)
Paolucci Tax & Financial Svc. 918 16 Ave Nw #498; City: Calgary; Province: Alberta, CA; Postal Code: T2M 0K3. Telephone: (403) 275-7029

Google Streets shows this as a one-story business building.

hope this helps
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top