Hi all, allow me to vent my frust... I hope to get some feedbacks too.
Last month, I bought a Manfrotto boom package (stand+boom) from Cathay Photo and encounter failure on the first use. I was surprised by the failure as Manfrotto has always produced good quality products. Here's a pix.
On 17 Jul (within 7 days), I brought it back to Cathay for RMA. I was told that there's not spare replacement in stock; and they cannot take 'salvage' sales unit because that package cannot be sold afterwards. What the hell was "within 7 days can come back to us" statement??? :angry: So, left with no other options I had to wait one month for the replacement to arrive in the next shipment.
Fast forward one month, I called and was told the italians are still having the summer holidays from Aug - Sept. :angry: He was very sorry about the situation but was not able to do anything else. I cannot get a definite date. And was told to wait, he will expedite the case.
Am I the special case here or is the aftersales service level poor at Cathay Photo? I am annoyed because this is a case of open box failure and I cannot get to use the equipment at all!!!
Had it been a Canon or Nikon camera, I would have gotten a one-to-one replacement. But my point is that Cathay Photo, being the sole agent for Manfrotto in Singapore, should take a interest in their product line, rather than shifting responsibility back the manufacturer.
Yes, there are nice folks at Cathay Photo - but what's the use if that is only before the transaction? At the moment, I having a sour aftertasting buying from them. :thumbsd:
After this event, I stopped buying things from Cathay Photo. Actually looking at the prices online, it will make no big difference if I buy from bhphoto online. Sometimes, buying online is even cheaper and more options.
P/S: I'm really pleased with my good fortune for having bought Profoto instead of Elinchrome ;p More about that the next time.
Last month, I bought a Manfrotto boom package (stand+boom) from Cathay Photo and encounter failure on the first use. I was surprised by the failure as Manfrotto has always produced good quality products. Here's a pix.
On 17 Jul (within 7 days), I brought it back to Cathay for RMA. I was told that there's not spare replacement in stock; and they cannot take 'salvage' sales unit because that package cannot be sold afterwards. What the hell was "within 7 days can come back to us" statement??? :angry: So, left with no other options I had to wait one month for the replacement to arrive in the next shipment.
Fast forward one month, I called and was told the italians are still having the summer holidays from Aug - Sept. :angry: He was very sorry about the situation but was not able to do anything else. I cannot get a definite date. And was told to wait, he will expedite the case.
Am I the special case here or is the aftersales service level poor at Cathay Photo? I am annoyed because this is a case of open box failure and I cannot get to use the equipment at all!!!
Had it been a Canon or Nikon camera, I would have gotten a one-to-one replacement. But my point is that Cathay Photo, being the sole agent for Manfrotto in Singapore, should take a interest in their product line, rather than shifting responsibility back the manufacturer.
Yes, there are nice folks at Cathay Photo - but what's the use if that is only before the transaction? At the moment, I having a sour aftertasting buying from them. :thumbsd:
After this event, I stopped buying things from Cathay Photo. Actually looking at the prices online, it will make no big difference if I buy from bhphoto online. Sometimes, buying online is even cheaper and more options.
P/S: I'm really pleased with my good fortune for having bought Profoto instead of Elinchrome ;p More about that the next time.