Steadicam rental nightmare!! Help needed

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Wow, I want my seven minutes back. The time it took to scan this thread. Richard, gotta say - way too much detail mate. Just don't have that kind of time. Gave up half way through your post and I try to read everything here. I'd add that I've been doing Steadicam for over 25 years and I still wouldn't rent a rig without going to the rental house and doing a check out. As for them charging you lost rental at the rates they are suggesting, they are out of their minds.

[Mark Schlicher]

There are several rental companies in my area. Some are more competent and professional than others.

 

I've traveled to LA for work and found the same to be true there. There's good and bad everywhere.

 

But the one thing that remains true in all cases is that it is ALWAYS your responsibility to check your gear out (whether personally owned or hired by you/for you) for proper operation prior to the shoot. That's not only the way pretty much all rental contracts are written, it's my professional responsibility.

 

"The equipment shall remain the absolute property of HiRental at all times. All equipment is tested before shipping; it is your responsibility to check upon receipt of the equipment that it is in good working order and in an undamaged condition."

 

That is about as clear as it gets.

 

Now, I have good relationship with a couple of rental houses, so if I miss a problem in prep, I let them know as soon as possible on set if it's something important, or upon return if it's something non-critical that I just think they should know about. They don't make a fuss about charging me. BUT that's a courtesy they extend because they know me; it's not something they are required to do.

 

A couple of friends who work at a rental house get pretty jaded by the endless procession of (mostly) low-budget and student renters who obviously misuse equipment and then try to weasel out of the cost of repair, and even demand a return of their rental because "it was broken when I got it."

 

Sounds like the rental company may have wrongly sized you up as one of those types, so they are taking a hard line. I doubt that they are deliberately sticking it too you (but who knows, it's possible.) Either way, arguing with them won't do you any good. You don't have a leg to stand on.

 

If you really want to pursue this with them, I recommend that you give yourself time to calm your anger, then arrange to meet with the rental manager face-to-face, and approach them very respectfully and non-confrontationally with your story and your request. Remember, they don't HAVE to give you anything.

[Janice Arthur]

Richard;

 

I'm with the others. I understand your frustration at yelling into the wind with these guys.

 

I do have couple of points.

 

1) call up your insurance company and get them to do the negiotating since you're not getting anywhere, this is a loss they would end up dealing with anyway.

 

2) see if they can reason with them on the "rentals" they lost. I would ask have your insurance guy get the proof of the lost rentals. Insurance commpanies are good at not paying for stuff that they don't have to.

 

 

Forget the book, forget the spud thing, the stand not back on time is trivial. This company is nuts.

 

Now you're smarter, it takes getting beaten up sometimes.

 

(you can put your credit card purchases on hold too, or arbitrate it with them too.)

Good luck.

JA

[Mike Marriage]

The UK has very good (for the consumer) distance trading laws. I don't know how it applies to rentals but I would look it up and also call Citizen's Advice Bureau. Although you have made some mistakes, so has the company.

[RobinThwaites]

Hi Rich

 

For the record I'm not entirely comfortable being mentioned in a public forum in association with something which may end up as a legal matter. Many people know me here and know that I normally only contribute on technical or factual matters, issues like this have a way of exploding.

 

I will refrain from commenting on the rental company or state of the rig except that the docking bracket would have had a balancing stud on it and clearly, from the photograph, they also have something to learn in terms of operation and setup. As I mentioned on the phone, I believe that with a lightweight rig like the Pilot, most experienced operators would have balanced the sled on the arm and saved the shoot but you were not to know that.

 

One point from your e-mail is that it seems that a non standard 8" monitor was fitted in place of the 5.8" version which would have affected balance so some knowledge of the principles of operation would be required here as well.

 

Steadicam operation in the field needs training, planning. I understand that the pressures of modern production means that clients expect anybody and everybody to "throw Steadicam in" with the rest of the shoot however anyone is welcome to make a quick call to us before embarking on the venture which could save later pain.

 

Best

Robin

[Richard Lapthorn]

Hi Rich

 

For the record I'm not entirely comfortable being mentioned in a public forum in association with something which may end up as a legal matter. Many people know me here and know that I normally only contribute on technical or factual matters, issues like this have a way of exploding.

 

I will refrain from commenting on the rental company or state of the rig except that the docking bracket would have had a balancing stud on it and clearly, from the photograph, they also have something to learn in terms of operation and setup. As I mentioned on the phone, I believe that with a lightweight rig like the Pilot, most experienced operators would have balanced the sled on the arm and saved the shoot but you were not to know that.

 

One point from your e-mail is that it seems that a non standard 8" monitor was fitted in place of the 5.8" version which would have affected balance so some knowledge of the principles of operation would be required here as well.

 

Steadicam operation in the field needs training, planning. I understand that the pressures of modern production means that clients expect anybody and everybody to "throw Steadicam in" with the rest of the shoot however anyone is welcome to make a quick call to us before embarking on the venture which could save later pain.

 

Best

Robin

 

My apologies Robin. It was not my intention to drag you into this and I have since tried to remove your name from the account, however it does not seem possible to edit posts on this forum (someone please correct me if I am wrong?) Perhaps a moderator would be kind enough to remove the references to Robin?

 

I only mentioned our conversation, with the intention of highlighting the fact the rental company were either mistaken or untruthful when they said the equipment had been purchased without a balancing stud, but you are right; I should not have used your name and for that I am genuinely sorry!

 

I can also assure you that if nothing else comes out of this, I shall be booking myself in to the Steadycam training course at Optical Support in January.

 

kindest regards

 

Rich

[RobinThwaites]

Thanks Rich, just one small thing, let's spell Steadicam with an "I".

:)

 

Robin

[Sanjay Sami]

My apologies if that was too many words for you after you'd finished stuffing your face full of Turkey Eric. I had kept notes of all the phone calls and emails so far as I wasn't sure what might or might not be relevant if I had to take legal action. I don't think you'd like War and Peace. It has a lot more words in it!

 

I'm also not sure where it was that I got angry after being told that most of the issues were ones I created. That bit of the conversation must have escaped me.

 

I wasn't looking for anybody to tell me I was right and I can categorically tell you the rental company is wrong because I know I didn't damage the equipment. I came here looking for opinions on what my options might be, not for you to repeatedly state this obvious and tell me I should have hired a trained operator.

 

Congratulations, you've made my visit to these forums a fairly unpleasant one

 

 

 

Eric you have been particularly rude and unhelpful and I am genuinely surprised you are a site moderator. I came here looking for help and advice and you have done nothing but repeatedly tell me I should be a trained op... I get it! I hope you don't find yourself in the position of needing help on a forum one day. You might run into someone like yourself and that would be unfortunate, but then again I guess you don't make mistakes!

 

Although Erics answers may have been a bit blunt for your liking, he was honest and to the point.

Its difficult to explain to you how the whole series of unfortunate events was kicked off by your own inexperience.

I feel bad that it turned out the way it did, but unfortunately thats the way it goes.

 

You could chalk it down to a learning experience and now do a workshop ... or hire an operator with his own kit, which will eliminate the problem altogether.

 

This forum is filled with professional steadicam operators who do this for a living.

 

In my experience, this is a very helpful and knowledgeable community.

 

Dont take anything personally, there is much to be leanrned .

 

... and after all its only the internet :D