Premium Members Remi Tournois / SOC Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Much to my regret, it surely looks like I'm slowly falling into the Cinetronic discontent bandwagon. I've tried contacting Cinetronic / Chris Bangma via emails and phone calls for the last 72hrs. NO ANSWER Till now, Chris has always promptly answered every emails and questions I came up with. Is he still in business or around? Back in March of 2014, hoping the trial and error period for the Gen 2 monitor had gone by. I emailed Chris Bangma at Cinetronic to put my order in. Chris mentioned that an upgraded Full HD monitor will be coming out the following month. So that is foolishly what I ordered even after having read all the thread on here about delays and lack of follow-up. In May, I inquired about my monitor, a possible delivery date and the fact that I had never received any order number or invoice. Chris answered quickly as always (not kidding), stated some issues with the boards and was hopeful to move forward a week later. No answer regarding the order number, confirmation or invoice though. Going away for most the summer, I gave it a rest and asked him to hold one unit for me for when I return. I came back, gave it a little more time and finally emailed Chris again early September. Quick answer as usual, of course the Full HD version was running into more trouble... still the darn board apparently. I mentioned how at least an update from him would have been nice before I reached out 4 months later and simply asked to switch my order to the non full HD Gen 2 monitor that has been out for a year and a half by now. I really like my TB-6 but a slightly bigger screen and some colors even not in full HD would be nice. From there, it took Chris a week to reply that switching the order was no problem and that he would proceed on making a unit for me. He gave me no time frame and still no order number or reference. So here we go again, another month later. I'm still trying to get an answer from Chris about a monitor I ordered and paid $5000 for, 7 months ago. Will Cinetronic ever get their shit together? I'm seriously starting to think I should be looking at the Transvideo website for another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Shawn Wang Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I broke my gen 2 front glass back in may and my only option was to fix it (700+) or upgrade (1275) ive paid the upgrade and he put a blemished Gen 2 glass for me just so I have a monitor to work with until the upgrade becomes available, which happend in Aug. so I am waiting the upgrade same as you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members John Stout Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Can't go wrong with Transvideo. I know that there are many happy Transvideo customers. I couldn't be happier with mine, unless it was less expensive to purchase, but nice things cost money. I have no experience with the team at Cinetronic, I just know how great my experience has been with Transvideo and Pro in working with them. John 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Sanjay Sami Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Transvideo has always been great. Great product and great service (if you ever need it) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 SORRY TO HEAR THAT, TRY TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK AND TAKE IT TO TRANSVIDEO.....FOR SURE...CHRIS HAS MOVED ON TO OTHER PROJECTS... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard James Lewis Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I now have two Transvideo 6" X-SBL monitors. They work perfectly, never have any issues. Bullet proof. Jacques is a gentleman, and a man of his word. I ditched my Cinetronic 2 over a year ago after the worst customer experience I've ever had with a company / product. It made my blood boil I was so angry at times. That silly monitor never worked properly and if was full of problems. Massive waste of time and money. I lost thousands, and being on the other side of the world with no real course for action Chris didn't give a shit in the end, and that Mike guy was a complete arse. I don't care if people stick up for Cinetronic. I'm glad it worked out for you, but for me it was a total nightmare. Rich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JensSchroeder Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I just can second the statement with Transvideo. Great products and perfect service. Just had a warranty issue with no problems and received a whole new interior for my monitor for free. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Afton Grant Posted October 10, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I now have two Transvideo 6" X-SBL monitors. They work perfectly, never have any issues. Bullet proof. Jacques is a gentleman, and a man of his word. I ditched my Cinetronic 2 over a year ago after the worst customer experience I've ever had with a company / product. It made my blood boil I was so angry at times. That silly monitor never worked properly and if was full of problems. Massive waste of time and money. I lost thousands, and being on the other side of the world with no real course for action Chris didn't give a shit in the end, and that Mike guy was a complete arse. I don't care if people stick up for Cinetronic. I'm glad it worked out for you, but for me it was a total nightmare. Rich Rich, I had a very similar experience, so I don't think things would've been any different for you here in the US. I'm very happy now with SmallHD, and I'm confident had I chosen to go with Transvideo, I'd be just as happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariano Costa Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) It's a pity that cinetronics doesn't live up to the standards, the monitors really look nice, but it's the performance that counts... and btw, a very respected company which builds and distributes Steadicam related equipment (which I won't name here for obvious reasons), when I inquired about cinetronic told me that they don't offer their products because of bad electronics + software and suggested to go with transvideo xsbl, too... Edited October 10, 2014 by Mariano Costa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Remi Tournois / SOC Posted November 7, 2014 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 As it seems to be the trends, after posting here I heard back from Chris in no time. The forum appears to be the best way to ctch his attention. A few more emails of reasons for the delay and finally a slight excuse for the long wait later. Chris claimed to be waiting for some parts to launch the next run of monitors. Now a months later, back to his old habits he hasn't answered for a week to my latest inquiery. I've emailed him to cancel my order and refund me. Is anyone here wantind or waiting for a refund? WHo's got a better phone number or email for Chris than the one on Film-stuff / Cinetronic website? Is anyone considering suing Cinetronic for not having received their paid items? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted November 7, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I do not own a cinetronic monitor but have patiently watched this drama unfold, secretly wishing it would improve so I could buy one. It is really sad to see a company with a great product having such potential to rule the roost, for lack of a better term, shit the bed. I have not jumped on any monitor bandwagons even though I need one. I have just waited to see what happens and been disappointed. I know it's not easy starting a business and dealing a bunch of picky bastards like us, but how companies deal with people is a big part in why some products are chosen over others...even though another competing product might be technically as good, less expensive or better in some way. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rich Cottrell Posted November 21, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Add me to the list of people who paid for a monitor but have not gotten it nor even a reply from this company. I am tired. Moving on. Good luck! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Afton Grant Posted November 21, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Ok, but you all must be itching to preorder one of their other new, untested, unknown real delivery date products now, right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Rich Cottrell Posted November 21, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Edit: Only after posting on the forum did I get a reply from cinetronic. Funny how that works... No acknowledgement of my calls or previous emails but here is what Chris is saying about my order. (I had called and emailed a few weeks ago to cancel my order.) I never got a reply until now: "I am out of the office until thanksgiving. Since we have already ordered all the parts for your monitor. It is a little late to cancel." So, Not sure about someone's ability to sue. But if you live in CA you might have some legs. I used by bank debit card to place my order so I will see if my bank can offer any advice. If anyone ordered via a credit card I would think Visa or MasterCard might be able to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jens Piotrowski SOC Posted November 21, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 File a dispute with our CC company for non-delivery. They will get the money back, since they are the ones that actually paid him in advance. The product was never delivered and the 4-6 weeks mentioned on the website are long gone and BTW legally Cinetronic can only ask you for a 10% down-payment. So right there is the problem for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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