Rathbone Energy, Battery Rebuild Status

[Ron L Rathbone]

Thank you for not slamming me. My regular clients since 1989 forward have not slameed me for the events of the 1st quarter. They have history with me and are also professional. Most of my new clients, even with no history have been smart enough to understand the consequences of the events of the first quarter. Of course, when a new client cannot get through because of the incompetence of AT&T from March 23 through June 17, it can be uncomforting. Although, before having to take a leave, my Director of Sales was sending group emails to everyone with open orders. I have not yet had time to learn that function. DSL and Broadband are not available where I live. It took several weeks to get permission from neighbors to remove tree limbs, dig the ditch for the cat 5 and get the local wireless company to set up an antenna with a line of site to their tower so I could have high speed internet access.

 

Anyway, for those with rebuilding orders in house now, my ability to do assembly and rebuild should have been finished seven weeks ago. Most calling in now for rebuilds are converting to my lithium ion batteries and chargers.

 

Rathbone Battery Order Status Report: 07/23/2008

The credit card charge backs, the unexpected immediate relocation, the additional issues caused by AT&T, the damage done in the forums by a handful of new clients;

 

My time, (In this order), is focused on:

1) Generating immediate cash to help compensate for, losses in theft through credit card charge backs (December 15-March 31), and extensive losses in relocation expenses and lost sales since March 23rd, 2008 through new sales of our Rathbone Energy Lithium Ion Batteries and Chargers which are not manufactured in-house for now, but are manufactured to our specifications. (65WH to 600WH). I am attaching PDF specification sheets.

1A) New lithium ion battery and charger orders that I have personally handled since June 17, 2008, are on schedule, with minor delays in shipping, due to the Olympics and Customs. And, there was a hold up for new labels.

1B) I have sorted through the sales files of my Director of Sales, on leave of absence, and those lithium ion battery orders already in her files from April and May are also now organized and in process. With the bad things now in the past, and with some organization, All new lithium ion battery and charger, lighting, and camera bag orders will continue to move smoothly and the newer the order the quicker it will process and ship. There is a lot of work before we are shipping rebuilds and the sales of these LI-ON batteries is required to fulfill those obligations. Most rebuild clients calling in now for new rebuilds are electing to convert over to my Rathbone Energy Lithium Ion Batteries. When they see the specification sheets and pricing they realize that it is just good economic sense.

1C) These things MUST happen so that 2, 3, and 4 can happen.

2) Getting my equipment up and running so I can do the battery rebuilds already in-house.

3) Getting my people back in the building which requires generating more immediate cash through the sale of my new lithium ion packs and other new products.

4) Tackling existing packed battery shells for rebuilding. I must get the prior rebuild orders fixed first, in Chronological Order.

All in the above order because I must first take care of my health and the health of my business to be able to take care of the rebuild orders already in house for Every great client, not just eight or ten.

 

What am I doing to compensate for the losses and increase sales to more quickly get the assembly and rebuilding departments back up and running? I will continue offering:

 

My Rathbone Energy Premium New Lithium Ion Batteries at extremely low prices and I am also giving away battery chargers in package deals of four batteries, eight, fifty batteries, etc. For less than four batteries purchased I am selling 2X and 4X chargers at my cost plus incoming freight and single port charges for free with the purchase of two batteries and at cost with the purchase of one battery. I cannot give pricing here. See featured items and current on-line specials at www.rathboneenergy.biz for pricing. See www.rathboneenergy.com for detailed specification sheets on these batteries, chargers, lights, camera bags, etc.

 

Additional Savings:

 

Since we obviously have cut our ties with our merchant provider and no longer accept credit cards I am also giving a 5% discount for purchases made via bank wire, cashiers / company check, and money order. For now we also accept PayPal but offer no additional discount for PayPal.

 

I have added lines of Professional Camera Bags and Carry Solutions, Broadcast and Film Lighting, Broadcast Monitors, and more. Sales in all these lines are helping substantially but the losses discussed have been heavy and it will take time for me to recoup. I also discovered I have missing equipment.

 

In Addition: I am offering a 5% commission to all clients on their customer referrals that purchase lithium ion batteries, chargers, camera bags, lighting, and monitors from Rathbone Energy. See www.rathboneenergy.com or contact me for details.

 

Guys and Gals, yes, you are helping me when you take advantage of my 1st quarter misfortune and purchase and or refer clients that then make purchases from me. But, You are also helping get my staff back to work and my quicker ability to help my rebuilding clients caught up in the events caused by the following paragraph.

 

It is no secret that my staff, good clients, and myself have been abused by credit card charge backs from new client?s who did receive their product, bank NSF?s from these charge backs, the relocation expenses caused by a very bad landlord (Three years of H _ _ l, it was only a matter of time), AT&T, and a few new clients disparaging my name in the forums although they had already been made aware, via group email in April by Lisa, of the events that took place. Lisa is now on a leave of absence due to extreme stress caused by a couple of very toxic people. My staff needs their paycheck back and my rebuilding clients need their battery packs. NAB is always expensive for me and I pay last minute. The events with the landlord and relocation were the reason we were not present at NAB 2008.

 

I should have been back up and running the battery rebuilding by 80% seven weeks ago. Although the disparagement to me, in particular less professional forums without moderators, from a few clients has, as they wish, hurt my business and slowed down sales, which are always very slow in the summer anyway, they have succeeded in slowing down my ability to finish my relocation quickly, place my staff members back on payroll, take care of years old good clients with rebuild orders in-house, and take care of them, but, it is giving me lots of ammunition for future events against the old landlord and other. A couple of new clients have seriously abused a staff member, now on leave. A couple of fairly new clients with prior business here have confused me with Wal-Mart and continue to attempt to roll me as they have attempted in the past and are now using some forums as a tactic to get things not due them or to strike because they did not get things not due them. It will not work. I am now out $41,000.00 in direct losses and additional lost sales totaling $160,000.00 and counting. So, take advantage of my misfortune and order your new Rathbone Energy Batteries today! PDF specification sheets are attached.

: )

 

There will be no more responses through the forums by me to the disparagements against me, no matter how bad I want to respond. There are at least two sides to every coin. I could pull email documents and receipts but this bickering will stop at my door. My energy needs to stay positive and focused on healing myself, my business, my staff, my good clients, my new clients as received, and even the dozen or less trying to hurt me and everyone afore mentioned. Almost everyone above has rent, house payments, food and medical needs, basic needs. Working together is better for everyone. Bickering and scratching with a toxic few is not.

 

I want to thank several of my good clients for taking time from their busy days to send me private emails of good encouragement. Those emails really do work. I do wish more were posted in the forums, but as a couple of you have pointed out, some forums seem to be taking a turn and becoming a negative battering ground of toxicity similar to the old news groups, not just on me. I understand why they do not post publicly. Maybe it is the economic depression, a lack of time for proper moderation in the forums, or a reflection on us all. With my current work load I do not have the time desired to be present in the forums as I would like.

 

Since 1989, Rathbone Energy has been and wants to continue to be one of the best service and product providers in your industry! I am very proud of my work.

 

For those being toxic in the forums, You decide, are you going to be part of our solution or is your character such that you just cannot be a positive impact? Being a positive impact helps you and your colleagues that you are hurting.

 

Working as hard as I can to better serve you.

 

Other staff members were responsible for sending broadcast emails to open order groups with order status reports. I have not yet had time to learn this function or make an email list of open orders for rebuild products on my laptop. As soon as I do I will start sending an email status to open order clients myself. I am anxious to get these guys back on the payroll!

 

On another note:

I have gone forward with assault charges.

I have additional firms now requesting to represent me starting with charges against this nemesis and others of Conspiracy to Interfere with Trade for Personal Gain, Collusion, Trespassing, and Extreme Slander and Liable, among several other charges.

 

Two other firms want a contingency but are asking for what to me is a large sum of money up front as a commitment to see this through. I don?t know, they are definitely larger firms. If I go that route I will need to set up a legal fund and will need to learn how to do that. One or more of these firms may be creating profiles in the forums under production names to monitor and collect data, if not already.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Ron Rathbone

Rathbone Energy, Inc.

Newport, TN

sales@rathboneenergy.com

www.rathboneenergy.com

www.rathboneenergy.biz

www.batteriesandcircuits.com

865-484-1783

800-223-1775

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Ron,

 

I'm glad you are getting back on your feet again, but I must say I'm a little surprised that you come back here pointing your finger at anyone and everyone. I'm sorry about your troubles, but ultimately a business is accountable for both their product and actions. To so easily dismiss those paying clients who trusted you with the very equipment that KEEPS THEM IN BUSINESS seems a tad inappropriate. Now, I'm the first to admit that I don't know all the details, but at a certain point, it does not matter. When dealing with companies like (in no particular order) GPI, Preston, Bartech, Klassen, XCS and Anton Bauer, there is rarely a problem. In the event that there is, there are no excuses or finger pointing; they make it right. As for people posting things here that you don't like, consider they had been trying to get in touch with you for a long time. This forum is not designed to take sides or bash manufacturers, but on more than one occasion, it has become a last, desperate resort. It actually annoys me when someone comes on here and starts screaming about a manufacturer because they just bought something and it does not work right but they have not contacted the company yet (or they are annoyed that they emailed them 24 hours ago and have not heard back yet). That would be a bit premature in my opinion, but when we hear multiple complaints about a single company and said company has accepted money from those people, of course it is going to be posted. Why wouldn't it?????

 

So instead of coming on here blasting away, may I suggest a softer approach?

 

FYI, I erased your post in "Has anyone used BatteryRefill.com" because THAT THREAD IS NOT ABOUT YOU. A member of this community asked a a valid question. It is not for another manufacturer to jump in and say "me, me, me." Paul Dudeck from Anton Bauer chimed in only after a member of the community brought up a specific question about an AB charger. You'll note, he didn't go on and on about how great their products are or provide endless links to their web site.

 

Oh, for the record, I have had one business transaction with Rathebone. About a year ago, I purchased 4 newly recelled Compact 14 batteries from them because they are no longer available new. Service was prompt and the batteries seem to work fine (I actually only used them a few times and just recently sold them with an extra battery base I had). At the time i purchased the batteries, the woman who does the personalized face-plates was on maternity leave so they sent the batteries without the face plates. I never did receive the face-plates, but I never followed up on them either.

 

Thank you for your time and understanding.

[Ron L Rathbone]

Ron,

 

I'm glad you are getting back on your feet again, but I must say I'm a little surprised that you come back here pointing your finger at anyone and everyone. I'm sorry about your troubles, but ultimately a business is accountable for both their product and actions. To so easily dismiss those paying clients who trusted you with the very equipment that KEEPS THEM IN BUSINESS seems a tad inappropriate. Now, I'm the first to admit that I don't know all the details, but at a certain point, it does not matter. When dealing with companies like (in no particular order) GPI, Preston, Bartech, Klassen, XCS and Anton Bauer, there is rarely a problem. In the event that there is, there are no excuses or finger pointing; they make it right. As for people posting things here that you don't like, consider they had been trying to get in touch with you for a long time. This forum is not designed to take sides or bash manufacturers, but on more than one occasion, it has become a last, desperate resort. It actually annoys me when someone comes on here and starts screaming about a manufacturer because they just bought something and it does not work right but they have not contacted the company yet (or they are annoyed that they emailed them 24 hours ago and have not heard back yet). That would be a bit premature in my opinion, but when we hear multiple complaints about a single company and said company has accepted money from those people, of course it is going to be posted. Why wouldn't it?????

 

So instead of coming on here blasting away, may I suggest a softer approach?

 

FYI, I erased your post in "Has anyone used BatteryRefill.com" because THAT THREAD IS NOT ABOUT YOU. A member of this community asked a a valid question. It is not for another manufacturer to jump in and say "me, me, me." Paul Dudeck from Anton Bauer chimed in only after a member of the community brought up a specific question about an AB charger. You'll note, he didn't go on and on about how great their products are or provide endless links to their web site.

 

Oh, for the record, I have had one business transaction with Rathebone. About a year ago, I purchased 4 newly recelled Compact 14 batteries from them because they are no longer available new. Service was prompt and the batteries seem to work fine (I actually only used them a few times and just recently sold them with an extra battery base I had). At the time i purchased the batteries, the woman who does the personalized face-plates was on maternity leave so they sent the batteries without the face plates. I never did receive the face-plates, but I never followed up on them either.

 

Thank you for your time and understanding.

 

Thank you for the kind words Alec.

 

My committment in the original post stands.

 

The face plates, yes, I need to take time and remove the face plate option for now. The lady was contracted for years and has decided to be focused on her child. In January I had started looking for a particular 40 watt laser engraver to install and run in-house. Obviously, that has been side tracked for a good while.

 

Thank you for your assistance and encouraging efforts.

 

It just hit me, until now I never realized there were disparaging comments about me in this forum. I am sorry for that. I will not search them out as I have taken enough of a beating from events way outside my control. And, as above, my committment in the original post stands. Yes keeping quite hurts.

 

Ron Rathbone

www.rathboneenergy.com

[Steadilsr]

First off I'm returning to the Steadicam Forum after being off it for many years. I still use my rig but sparingly. I had been using Ron Rathbone's service for about 3years and had no issues with the quality of the workmanship or the efficiency. That all changed at the end of 2007 and it has turned into a quagmire. Without slamming or defaming anyone here, I want to say that I STILL have not received my AB Trimpac and Compac AS IS from his workbench since the beginning of 2008. I sent them to his Tennessee facility in February and he has since told me only Monday night, that my old cells will be shipped back this week.

 

I totally agree with Alec's post a few months back and I can also say that there are many clients of his on other forums who are more irate and have more product out of their hands

than I do.

 

Since I knew I was going to have to move up to lithium chemistry batteries sooner I agree to buy one of his smaller AB clones with a small charger. That order was paid for months ago and is supposedly being shipped soon with my old cells.

 

I can only compare this to my event business. If a client comes to me saying they are NOT happy with the work I've done, I make good on the product. Luckily its never happened, but if it did I would offer a refund. Finger pointing never works to attract more clients or keep disgruntled ones.

 

My other question is WHY there are only 2 companies that re cell Anton Bauer's and one is

Rathbone?

Have other operators moved away from Anton Bauer due to the re celling dilemma?

 

thanks

Lou Rosenberg

SK 2 modified for widescreen with the L7 (Glidecam mon)

[pauldudeck]

First off I'm returning to the Steadicam Forum after being off it for many years. I still use my rig but sparingly. I had been using Ron Rathbone's service for about 3years and had no issues with the quality of the workmanship or the efficiency. That all changed at the end of 2007 and it has turned into a quagmire. Without slamming or defaming anyone here, I want to say that I STILL have not received my AB Trimpac and Compac AS IS from his workbench since the beginning of 2008. I sent them to his Tennessee facility in February and he has since told me only Monday night, that my old cells will be shipped back this week.

 

I totally agree with Alec's post a few months back and I can also say that there are many clients of his on other forums who are more irate and have more product out of their hands

than I do.

 

Since I knew I was going to have to move up to lithium chemistry batteries sooner I agree to buy one of his smaller AB clones with a small charger. That order was paid for months ago and is supposedly being shipped soon with my old cells.

 

I can only compare this to my event business. If a client comes to me saying they are NOT happy with the work I've done, I make good on the product. Luckily its never happened, but if it did I would offer a refund. Finger pointing never works to attract more clients or keep disgruntled ones.

 

My other question is WHY there are only 2 companies that re cell Anton Bauer's and one is

Rathbone?

Have other operators moved away from Anton Bauer due to the re celling dilemma?

 

thanks

Lou Rosenberg

SK 2 modified for widescreen with the L7 (Glidecam mon)

 

Hi Lou,

 

Just a quick question; you asked "have many other people moved away from Anton/Bauer due to their re-celling dilemna?" What "dilemna" are you referring to?

 

As you probably know, Anton/Bauer has not re-celled batteries in over 20 years. Unlike most other companies, we have actually lowered our prices over the last 10-20 years, as a lot of other companies have raised theirs.

 

Happy Holidays.

 

Regards,

Paul