"He assured me that it was an easy order and would be filled soon. At the same time he was going to send some screws for the bedrail that were missing from the brand new camera that I had bought."
He does this too often. But, no matter the assurances you still don't have the parts? Why would a brand new Wisner with all the fabulous quality control come with missing screws on the bedrail? My Linhofs never had this problem. I don't know one other camera maker that has problems like this.
"I'm sick and tired of these threads."
So am I, and I post them when this crap comes up so maybe Wisner will finally do what he says he does... actually build a good camera & give good service. It can't be any simpler than that. NO other camera maker has these posts. Not one!
"Personally I would contact Richard Ritter (802-365-7807) and let him go over the entire camera for once and forever. He does this alot with these and you will be able to use it without having something fall apart."
Or Gary Hurst at (801) 731-7008. He does the same thing. Amazing that one buys a brand new product & gets recommendations to send it to someone else who will take it, check everything & fix the problems just so it will do what was promised when you sent your money. (same tired old refrain here.. NO other camera maker has these posts)
"Every time another person gets 'the treatment' from these merchants, it just adds more weight to the accumulating evidence that things are not as they ought to be."
And these posts are needed if we are to help others to stay away from the frustration of getting a Brand New product that doesn't work. With a 1926 Deardorff or 1900 Century maybe it is understandable... but NOT in a new product. You buy the old stuff knowing they might need TLC & some rebuilding & refinishing but no one would buy a brand new camera expecting to do this type of stuff.
"I can see by the complaints that this is not a business to purchase from or trust"
Looks as if someone is getting the message.
"When I bought my first LF camera in 1997, I chose Canham, without the benefit of web-based feedback. I guess I was fortunate."
And I bet the only complaints you will ever read on Canham are that 'the Canham doesn't fit how I shoot". Not 'my camera fell apart/won't work/is missing something/isn't finished or whatever. Once again... (same tired old refrain here.. NO other camera maker has these posts)
" If you take a look at the many threads on the LF boards you will see the solution most take is to buy through a dealer. "
And where in the ads for Wisner cameras does it say to do this? Then again, if you try to order certain cameras from a Dealer Ron steps in and takes them away from them so you end up dealing with him anyway. What kind of business is it that requires customers to stay away from the maker if they want a good product if he sells direct? Why should one have to go through a dealer just to have the camera checked ot to make sure it won't fall apart or isn't up to specs? Just who is in charge of quality control?
"Don't discount a very good make of camera just because of some bad threads. "
Thats right, it is the over & over & over yet once again threads about poor quality, poor service & goods paid for & never delivered you have to count up before parting with your money. Anyone can make a mistake. It happens. Most will rectify the mistake when it is discovered, not wait til it appears on a public forum before addressing it.
"Or on the otherhand if you just want to add to the Wisner haters club, that's fine too."
Is there a membership card? A cool Tshirt? A secret decoder ring?
"My point was that there is already LOTS of information on the net about RW."
You don't get LOTS of information of this type without LOTS of problems. People aren't making this up just to start a new hobby.(thought if there really is a secret decoder ring, maybe it is worth the self abuse of ordering a Wisner?)
"If there was little or no information on RW available on the net then I too would agree that posting it here would be a service to us all. This is not the case in this instance"
Just who in hell expects to have to check out whether the maker of a major name brand does business this way? There is only information of this because of so many problems. Usually for any one complaint there are many people who won't comlain out loud. Just how many are there really?
" Within the last couple of days there have been negative positing about RW on almost all LF forums. Obviously someone is pissed and they want to make sure EVERYONE knows about it."
Yep, and I am one who posts this crap. Ron invites it. He is just too easy. If he didn't have these problems these posts wouldn't come up.
Do a search on Gandolfi, Ebony & even Shen Hao (the real cheapie chinese camera) and you won't find this kind of carping. It only comes up with ONE 'camera maker' and one 'camera restorer'.
"PS - Ron called me directly - as a result of my post - and promised that he would attend to the matter immediately. Make no mistake, this forum does have significant influence !"
So Terry, let us know when it is solved. Too many are posted with complaints & then no other information. Keep us apprised of what happens, though I am surprised when it arrived in this condition you didn't send it back immediately & order from another maker.
"I'm glad Ron resolved your problem."
To this point is is only a promise to do so. If he actually does get it solved I hope he will post & let us know when & how it was taken care of.
Take it any way you want. I posted my rants on Ronald BJ Wisner because I got tired of seeing friends screwed. A few knew I used to own a collection agency & run a law office & asked what to do. Most won't get that involved in the legal process but by letting others know that all is not well they at least help warn those who may need the information in the future.
Ron.... "CAN"... make a good camera. In use his stuff doesn't fit how I photograph & I won't buy them any longer used for re-sale as they are dogs on the market. I don't think they would be that way if he actually did a few small things: produce what he advertises, deliver what he promises & take care of the few problems that would come up immediately. It really is that damn simple.
