Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service

"Matt Clara" <critics.DeleteThis@large.com> wrote in message
news:khbDd.278254$2W1.27898@news.easynews.com...

 > Please stop trying to explain how my experience wasn't a valid one, or my
 > interpretation of that experience. I do business on the internet almost
 > daily. You don't have to like what I say, but that doesn't make it any
 > less valid.

It is valid to you, and not to some others. To dis the business on the 'net
is a bad idea if you are merely disappointed. It really is your problem.
Often I think the 'net has led to unrealistic expectations.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"jjs" <jjs RemoveThis @nospam.net> wrote in message
news:10tqfsein4gmt11@news.supernews.com...
 > "Matt Clara" <critics RemoveThis @large.com> wrote in message
 > news:kPaDd.277312$2W1.28247@news.easynews.com...
 >
  >> _Very_ good service doesn't ignore emails.
 >
 > Fer crying out loud, it arrived two days after they said it would.
 >
 >

That was never my point.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:44:48 GMT, "Matt Clara" <critics.RemoveThis@large.com>
wrote:


 >For instance, many
 >people have said Jeff is a friendly guy, yet in a series of emails over
 >several weeks, he failed to convey that to me.


Jeez, Matt. He's in the business of selling
camera gear, he's not your pen pal.

You can read lots of reviews of the Shen-Hao
all over the net. Nice pictures, technical
descriptions, etc. There's no need for you to
badger anyone for tech details -- by email
or otherwise.

I really think it's uncool to lambaste a
retailer based on one slightly imperfect
purchasing experience.


rafe b.
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.terrapinphoto.com" target="_blank">http://www.terrapinphoto.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"rafe bustin" <rafe.bustin DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:g8iqt0ln1e9um700ccf2uoclk9bntirlis@4ax.com...
 > On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:24:28 GMT, "Matt Clara" <critics DeleteThis @large.com>
 > wrote:
 >
 >
  >>I'm looking forward to that experience myself. I've got a 6x9 rollfilm
  >>back
  >>I think I'll start with, though. Then I can scan on my 8000ED, too. What
  >>are you doing with your 4x5 slides? Besides enjoying them, of course!
  >>Have
  >>you gotten any prints made, or are you planning to? If so, what route are
  >>you taking?
 >
 >
 > That seems to make some sense (the 6x9 back.)
 > I've been considering doing the same, and for
 > the same reason.
 >
 > Which one did you get?
 >
 >


A graflex RH8. Fits neat as can be. I think I need to replace the light
seals, though. They aren't dissolving, but they are far from fresh. I went
to order some from micro-tools, but stopped at the end as my only shipping
option was nearly the cost of the $12 product. I can't seem to find the
stuff anywhere else online--all roads return to micro-tools. Maybe I am too
uptight...

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"rafe bustin" <rafe.bustin.DeleteThis@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:mdiqt0lobucpg92f6vk7i2ucch8cfgt40g@4ax.com...
 > On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:44:48 GMT, "Matt Clara" <critics.DeleteThis@large.com>
 > wrote:
 >
 >
  >>For instance, many
  >>people have said Jeff is a friendly guy, yet in a series of emails over
  >>several weeks, he failed to convey that to me.
 >
 >
 > Jeez, Matt. He's in the business of selling
 > camera gear, he's not your pen pal.
 >
 > You can read lots of reviews of the Shen-Hao
 > all over the net. Nice pictures, technical
 > descriptions, etc. There's no need for you to
 > badger anyone for tech details -- by email
 > or otherwise.
 >
 > I really think it's uncool to lambaste a
 > retailer based on one slightly imperfect
 > purchasing experience.
 >

I did not lambaste him--show me where I did. It's cool then for everyone to
say what a great experience they had, but if someone expresses
disappointment over a transaction and the dialogue leading up to that
transaction, that's uncool? And it's unpatriotic to question the president,
right?
Give me a break.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"Matt Clara" <critics.TakeThisOut@large.com> wrote in message
news:hNbDd.278390$O24.48159@news.easynews.com...
 > "rafe bustin" <rafe.bustin.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:mdiqt0lobucpg92f6vk7i2ucch8cfgt40g@4ax.com...
  > > On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:44:48 GMT, "Matt Clara" <critics.TakeThisOut@large.com>
  > > wrote:
  > >
  > >
   > >>For instance, many
   > >>people have said Jeff is a friendly guy, yet in a series of emails over
   > >>several weeks, he failed to convey that to me.
  > >
  > >
  > > Jeez, Matt. He's in the business of selling
  > > camera gear, he's not your pen pal.
  > >
  > > You can read lots of reviews of the Shen-Hao
  > > all over the net. Nice pictures, technical
  > > descriptions, etc. There's no need for you to
  > > badger anyone for tech details -- by email
  > > or otherwise.
  > >
  > > I really think it's uncool to lambaste a
  > > retailer based on one slightly imperfect
  > > purchasing experience.
  > >
 >
 > I did not lambaste him--show me where I did. It's cool then for everyone
to
 > say what a great experience they had, but if someone expresses
 > disappointment over a transaction and the dialogue leading up to that
 > transaction, that's uncool? And it's unpatriotic to question the
president,
 > right?
 > Give me a break.
 >
 > --
 > Regards,
 > Matt Clara
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com</font" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</font</a>>
 >
 >

I telephone Jeff at Badger when I want something and verify that he has it
in stock. He works with pros and I think he expects you to know what you
want and why you want it. In every case, I've received my order the very
next day - and I'm in Illinois.

My last 3 orders to B&H were placed via their website and all arrived in
precisely 3 days, as promised, complete with email notification of shipment
and a UPS tracking link. The added benefit of web ordering is you never
have to speak with one of their salesmen.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"rafe bustin" <rafe.bustin DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:mdiqt0lobucpg92f6vk7i2ucch8cfgt40g@4ax.com...
 > On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 13:44:48 GMT, "Matt Clara" <critics DeleteThis @large.com>
 > wrote:
 >
 >
  >>For instance, many
  >>people have said Jeff is a friendly guy, yet in a series of emails over
  >>several weeks, he failed to convey that to me.
 >
 >
 > Jeez, Matt. He's in the business of selling
 > camera gear, he's not your pen pal.

The questions were about camera gear, smartass (or dumbass, if you really
thought I was trying to just strike up a conversation in general). You're
usually not an asshole, but you're making great lengths towards it here
today.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"Leonard Evens" <len DeleteThis @math.northwestern.edu> wrote in message
news:yMudnRFdquMm0UDcRVn-rA@comcast.com...
 > Matt Clara wrote:
  >> Hey, they delivered, don't get me wrong, but I had several questions
  >> before I purchased, and all answers were brusque and minimal. Ok, no
  >> biggy, so I bought the camera (Shen Hao for $625). A few days later I
  >> was told it would be shipped the following week via UPS. I waited til
  >> the day and then wrote and asked for a tracking number, only to have my
  >> email ignored. The camera arrived two days later (two states away).
  >>
  >> Maybe I've been pampered by Adorama and B&H, etc., but I expect more, and
  >> my money will command more, or I'll take it somewhere else.
  >>
 >
 > Let me add my voice to the chorus. I've had nothing but good service from
 > Badger Graphics. My orders are processed quickly. Jeff is very helpful
 > and willing to answer questions at length. Once, they charged me two
 > delivery charges on items shipped together but corrected it immediately
 > when I drew their attention to it.
 >
 > So, Matt, I think you just had an anomalous experience.

Thanks for your input, Leonard.
Perhaps Jeff's just not an email kinda guy and I should have picked up the
phone. He then no doubt would have noticed I haven't a clue about
large-format photography and needed more than a quick sell.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

I've found that calls are far more pleasant than emails. Emails are a
poor way to communicate with people about expensive equipment, anyway.
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

 > I'm looking forward to that experience myself. I've got a 6x9 rollfilm back
 > I think I'll start with, though. Then I can scan on my 8000ED, too. What
 > are you doing with your 4x5 slides? Besides enjoying them, of course! Have
 > you gotten any prints made, or are you planning to? If so, what route are
 > you taking?

I did both 6x7 (with a Calumet C2N rollback holder) and 4x5
transparencies. I've discovered that the rollback holder is really the
way to go for me unless I want to eliminate the cropping factor. It is
just much more economical for color.

Eventually I plan on buying a Epson 4870 to scan them and get prints made
from something like <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.ezprints.com." target="_blank">www.ezprints.com.</a>

I may get a professional print made from one of them before I go that
route. My local lab charges $35 for the drum scan and $45 for a 16x20
LightJet print. Certainly a LightJet print is better than anything from a
Fuji Frontier (which is what <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.ezprints.com" target="_blank">www.ezprints.com</a> uses)<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

 > Easy. They're a small outfit in East Bumfuck.
 > They might have been busy when you called,
 > probably packing up Shen Haos to send to other
 > folks who were in line in front of you.
 >

When I visited them in Kaukana, I was quite surprised. They are a mail
order house only...no showroom. When I was there for about 10-15 minutes,
Jeff got interrupted 2 times to take calls about the Shen Hao. He says
they are selling like hotcakes.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

In article <tqcDd.280537$lR6.48724@news.easynews.com>,
"Matt Clara" <critics RemoveThis @large.com> wrote:

 > Thanks for your input, Leonard.
 > Perhaps Jeff's just not an email kinda guy and I should have picked up the
 > phone. He then no doubt would have noticed I haven't a clue about
 > large-format photography and needed more than a quick sell.

I think email in general gets somewhat ignored in retail type business.

--
LF Website @ <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank" target="_blank">http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank</a>

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service 

"Gregory Blank" <bugstopped_ DeleteThis @gregblankphoto.com> wrote in message
news:bugstopped_-5EDACB.09034706012005@news.verizon.net...
 > In article <bf3Dd.256321$O24.44376@news.easynews.com>,
 > "Matt Clara" <critics DeleteThis @large.com> wrote:
 >
  >> Hey, they delivered, don't get me wrong, but I had several questions
  >> before
  >> I purchased, and all answers were brusque and minimal. Ok, no biggy, so
  >> I
  >> bought the camera (Shen Hao for $625). A few days later I was told it
  >> would
  >> be shipped the following week via UPS. I waited til the day and then
  >> wrote
  >> and asked for a tracking number, only to have my email ignored. The
  >> camera
  >> arrived two days later (two states away).
  >>
  >> Maybe I've been pampered by Adorama and B&H, etc., but I expect more, and
  >> my
  >> money will command more, or I'll take it somewhere else.
 >
 > I have never received bad service from Badger, I have bought several
 > items from them. I did wait many weeks/months for my Ries
 > tripod....backordered. I called and called and was politely dealt with
 > despite my anxiousness. Jeff at Badger is quiet and some what aloof when
 > you first speak to him, but will speak to you at length regarding
 > photography and is a good guy IMOP. I think this by experience, is the
 > way of a lot of people.
 >
 > I agree with Shelly deal with any company long enough and somethings
 > will sometimes go wrong, it all depends how we the customer handle it-to
 > a degree.
 >
 > You want a bad service story,... I have a story also,...I bought a 120
 > film scanner prior to Christmas, from one of the big three dealers.
 > First I had a grating metal sound, so the scanner went back to the
 > manufacturer. They shipped a new one,...which was DOA. Then the
 > dealer,...one I dealt with for 18 years and had spent 1,000's of dollars
 > with told me to play along with the manufacturer to isolate their
 > problem. I was told they the dealer would not take back the scanner even
 > though I had informed them of the existing problem(s) well in advance of
 > the 15 day return policy. Ultimately I got my credit card company
 > involved and got some "most" of my money back less the 70.00 in shipping
 > to and from the dealer.
 >
 > The thing that really galls me was the manufacturer after the DOA unit
 > was received by me stated they wouldn't expedite the 3rd replacement
 > scanner unless I was willing to pay an additional 500.00 as a guarantee
 > they get the DOA unit back. Then after 60 days they would process the
 > credit and I would be responsible for interest accrued on the credit
 > card. Basically I mentally told them and the dealer to FOAD.
 >
 > I shipped the unit back to the dealer despite their no return policy and
 > had documentation of the history to fax to my CC company. I can't
 > imagine ever willingly dealing with either company again,...and it hurts
 > to a degree because that dealer has a great catalog, and a wide variety
 > of important stuff. I guess I'll either have to spend more locally
 > or look elsewhere and hope this kind of thing does not happen somewhere
 > else *End of Rant*
 >
 > --

Yeah, I've had some bad experiences online, though yours takes the cake. I
guess I'm mostly annoyed by his ignoral of my final email: it all added up,
and that was the kick in the pants.
--
Regards,
Matt Clara
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.mattclara.com" target="_blank">www.mattclara.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Disappointed with Badger Graphic Service