P3D Re: Warning

[roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (John W Roberts)]

>Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 13:11:49 -0700
>From: Michael Watters <mwatters@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: P3D Re: Warning

>Perhaps a file could be kept in the www page somewhere with user comments from
>people on this list regarding the various common mail-order companies?  It would
>obviously have to be carefully done so it's presented as people's OPINIONS and
>personal experiences (gotta watch out for those pesky lawsuits), but it would
>probably be useful to those who haven't been burned yet.

I'm concerned that it would have limited usefulness, because hearing only
one side of the story (with an unknown number of significant points left out)
makes it very hard for a reader to judge the relative merits of the
companies involved. A person might have a grudge against a particular
company and post strong accusations, or leave out comments on mistakes they
made which either caused the situation or contributed to its severity.
The relative number and severity of complaints about the various companies
might not have much correlation to their actual "merits".

I had an interesting experience with a mail order house several years ago -
I ordered two new cameras, and two new lenses, with UV or haze filters for
the lenses. The person taking the order suggested that I save money by
buying used lenses from the previous generation. I agreed, then when the
equipment came I discovered that the older lenses didn't support an exposure
mode that I wanted to use on the new cameras. I called and explained the
situation, then exchanged the old lenses for the new model. At that point
I discovered that the filter size was different for the new lenses - I called
again, and they agreed to exchange the filters. So it all worked out well in
the end, and I believe the company acted in good faith at every point, but
a person who became angry or who didn't figure out how to correct the situation
might have written a nasty review of the company.

Instead of company-bashing stories, it might be better to have a list of
problems that can arise when buying photographic equipment by mail order,
and how (in general) one can try to avoid these problems, or correct them
if they arise.

John R


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