MK-V

[Matt Mouraud]

Howard, I'll meet you at IBC on sunday ;)

Thanks again !

[Guido Lux]

All I can tell you guys is, he will send you a quote and that its very worth waiting for it! I've gotten my Nexus 2 weeks ago and it's the best sled I've ever flown! So try and save the money before you go to IBC! Cuz once you've tried it, you won't settle for less!

 

cheers, Guido "just waiting for my AR" Lux

[Matt Mouraud]

Hi Guido ! So there goes the BaerBel ? ;)

[Andy Voegeli]

I am amazed at the many responses I got from this posting, whats equally amazing is that only one person replied who actually owns a mk-v product. Howard you were very quick to respond to the forum post but not your company e-mails which i sent quote requests to three times. you also posted on will arnots link that you never got a quote request from any one for the pro upgrade or the AR. Thats funny because after you read the forum post I got my quote. I am not bashing your product now nor did i before. i'm sure its fantastic and thats what I thought when I tried it in connecticut. And thats why i'm asking for a quote. I am sorry you are all so sensitive but customer support and timely responses are huge in this industry. If it were your bank or mortgage broker i'm sure you would be concerned if you couldn't get a hold of them.

 

Andrew Voegeli

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Gents--

 

I think everyone should realize that most of these Steadicam® and accessory vendors are not staffed with dozens of employees just hanging out waiting for your email request.

 

The internet has made impatients of us all as point and click gratification is now expected rather than hoped for.

 

When I got started a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was no internet and things took time to "happen."

 

Yes, this is a time sensitive industry and response time matters.

 

So does respect and personal consideration; these are elements of a two-way street that we should all try and remember.

 

Best,

 

Brant S. Fagan, SOC

Steadicam/Camera Operator

[Matt Mouraud]

Brant is right. Howard is one of the most innovative guy out there, travels a lot and to top it off got his laptop stolen. Give him a chance !

I have never read or heard anything negative about Howard. I sent him emails for a quote request to which he didn't reply because his email system got updated or something in the meantime.

Shit happens, and when it does you just cope with it. How hard is it to send another email or use the phone ? Personnaly I got answers to all my questions with this great little device... ;)

[Charles Papert]

Well, yes no and maybe. It's not about the immediacy of the internet, it's about availability; being paid the rates that we are (or were), there are certain expectations of us and our gear, and as operators and purchasers of very expensive equipment we have the right to expect timely customer service (this is a response to the subject, not aimed at a particular company). Let no manufacturer forget what turned so many operators away from CP.

 

Example: on location in New Orleans a few years back, my Preston FiZ handset was dropped. We were able to keep working using another Preston on the show, but I needed to rectify the situation immediately. One phone call to Preston (who are always reachable during working hours), and I had a backup system in my hands that same day, shipped counter-to-counter. And the repaired unit was back within the same week. Now THAT's service.

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Andrew (Rush 164) / Chaps

 

Thanks for letting me know who I am talking too.

 

All I can say is I check my emails every 5 minutes from 8am - midnight. And I check the forum every other day.

All I can say is I (personally) have not had any emails from you. (- sorry.)

 

I am looking into why certain emails do not make it to my Mac (ex mac/new mac) - please email me again so I can see if for some reason you are being blocked by my spam guard.

 

The phone is always a good option as I always have my cell with me. +44 7768 147499

we have just moved to a new film studios (WEB) in manchester - wonderful place - our new phone number is: + 44 1204 574900

 

I work 24/7 365 to do the best I can, please if you have not had a reply from me it is not because we are ingnoring you as this would be crazy, I simply have not had your email in the first place.

Please call and we will phone you back.

It is nice to talk with you guys.

 

IBC is going very well, nice to see some old faces and meet some of the new faces.

Last day today, hard work, but lots of fun.

If anyone would like a copy of the AR DVD please "email" or call us.

 

Take care and hope to speak to you soon

All the best

Howard

[Thomas English]

I think we all need to rely a little less on the internet if in a hurry. All my computer mates reckon there could be a day soon where email becomes so unreliable it simply won t work anymore, with the proliferation of worm viruses etc. If you need something in a hurry, use the phone. If you need something for definate, send a letter by registered post.

 

I managed to shear part of my topstage sunday before last on a shoot. In a panick I texted Howard, on a sunday and he called back immedietely. I had recieved and had fitted my new part on the tuesday. Whilst Howard is often unreachable, he does have a team of engineers all over the UK and probably now the US able to sort problems out quickly and efficiently. And there is always someone answereing the landline phone.

 

I am sure I could have sorted out the courier to have had the part delivered to london and fitted on the monday but it would have cost me more money.