My dissappointing PW Multimax experience

[Franko515]

I called Mpex before I ordered to confirm they had the items in stock, I then called back to place my order. I was informed that to get the bundle deal (pocket wizard multimax w/caddy) I would have to order online. I then asked the gentleman were these the new Multimax w/usb port, he stated yes they were, so I went online and ordered. I recieve my package and was greatly dissappointed to find out they are in fact the old Pocket Wizard Multimax without USB port (although the price reflects the new version, and the gentleman I spoke with assured me they were the new model). Needless to say I will be returning these units.

I really hope I can get this resovled quickly :cry:

[PacAce]

I called Mpex before I ordered to confirm they had the items in stock, I then called back to place my order. I was informed that to get the bundle deal (pocket wizard multimax w/caddy) I would have to order online. I then asked the gentleman were these the new Multimax w/usb port, he stated yes they were, so I went online and ordered. I recieve my package and was greatly dissappointed to find out they are in fact the old Pocket Wizard Multimax without USB port (although the price reflects the new version, and the gentleman I spoke with assured me they were the new model). Needless to say I will be returning these units.

I really hope I can get this resovled quickly :cry:

Sorry to hear about your little misfortune. I did wonder why you ordered from Mpex instead of B&H when I saw that the prices at both places were the same. Now I know (the caddy). I also did wonder whether they had the new ones in stock or if they were still selling the old stock.

[ben_r_]

^^^^^ Yea Ill second that question, why not from B&H?

[Franko515]

^^^^^ Yea Ill second that question, why not from B&H?

As PacAce stated, the Caddy (http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=PW%20Caddy) my man. You get one free with the bundle special :D


I posted this in the Flickr group and I think it was thought of as a slam on Mpex. In no way was it a slam (they havent even had time to respond to my email) I am merely expressing my frustrations, I was very excited about my order (hence my first post on the topic (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=447824)) so it was a major blow to get the wrong stuff. Just venting and sharing people, not a slam against Mpex in any way.

[TMR Design]

I haven't read up on the new PW. What is the USB port used for?

[Franko515]

I haven't read up on the new PW. What is the USB port used for?

Firmware updates

Here is a good read about it (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9206-9216), and a few other new updates to the Multimax

[Franko515]

Needless to say I was up early in hope to get this situation resolved.

9:10 a.m.
I called Mpex and spoke with Lynn, she stated that she was very sorry (several times) and would have somebody get back to me soon.

9:48 a.m.
I recieve a call from Noah, who works for Mpex (wow that was quick). He stated that Lynn had told him of my troubles and again apologized................


OK GET READY






He then informed me that the owner was having 4 new PW Multimax (w/USB port etc.) sent directly to me from the PW factory :^O (WOW). He then tells me at my leisure drop the old style Multimax in a box and send em back ("no hurry though", exact words I swear). In the meantime he is trying to get the Multimax sent out today for delivery (WOW, before I even send the old style units back). This shows great cust. service as they were willing to right the wrong A.S.A.P :^)

I then informed him that my umbrella shaft was also bent not allowing me to extend the shaft. He stated they would put one in a box and ship it to me today :^)

I also wanted to swap the lumopro LP632 umbrella adapters I had bought w/ the Bogen ones because the hole on the "shorty" isnt angled. By the hole not being angled, it defeats the purpose of having the shorter adapter (to get the light closer to the center of the umbrella) it ends up being the same amount off as my plastic ones. Again Noah says "no problem".

I am very happy that this matter was taken care of so swiftly. Cust. service is top notch at Mpex in my book. Sure I had problems with my order and was frustrated and dissappointed, the same has happened with others I order from as well (B&H for example). The key is how cust. service reacts, and Mpex is top notch in that department. That were fast to react and made sure I was totally satisfied with the results.

[TMR Design]

Sounds like they're handling things in a professional manner and value their customers satisfaction.

[PacAce]

That's great, Frank. Glad you got every squared away to your satisfaction. And Mpex got a good plug from you, too, in their favor. ;)

[ben_r_]

As PacAce stated, the Caddy (http://www.mpex.com/page.htm?PG=PW%20Caddy) my man. You get one free with the bundle special :D


Ah yes, those are nice. I bought three of them from flash zebra about a month ago and love them! Think they were about $15 a piece.

[cosworth]

$15 for the caddy. I dig.

No more giant elastic bands.

[Franko515]

Sounds like they're handling things in a professional manner and value their customers satisfaction.

Indeed sir, that seems to be the case.

That's great, Frank. Glad you got every squared away to your satisfaction. And Mpex got a good plug from you, too, in their favor. ;)

Thanks, and I get to keep the caddies, hell they even called me back to make sure I knew to keep em :cool:

[TMR Design]

Someone should come up with a 'caddy-like' device that still gives access to the battery compartment on the PW.

[Franko515]

Someone should come up with a 'caddy-like' device that still gives access to the battery compartment on the PW.

Do the batteries drain quickly when using PW?

[cosworth]

I've had my PW for years, still the same energizer batteries in them. I use them often. Battery access seems redundant since a dime/swiss army knife takes the caddy off.

[Franko515]

I've had my PW for years, still the same energizer batteries in them. I use them often. Battery access seems redundant since a dime/swiss army knife takes the caddy off.



:rolleyes:

Are you serious, or stratching the truth a wee bit?

If in fact it has been years (hell I would have settled for 1 month) then this is excellent news.

[TMR Design]

I've had my PW for years, still the same energizer batteries in them. I use them often. Battery access seems redundant since a dime/swiss army knife takes the caddy off.

Well I certainly won't dispute this Jason but I use my Pocket Wizards all the time in the studio and I have to replace my batteries once every few months at the most. The batteries always seem to die at the most inopportune times and since there isn't any form of battery meter or gauge I like to have batteries on hand, swap them out and be back up and running within a minute. To me the caddy is a great idea but I don't see that you need to block the battery cover to create a way to hold your PW to a light stand.

[Franko515]

Well I certainly won't dispute this Jason but I use my Pocket Wizards all the time in the studio and I have to replace my batteries once every few months at the most. The batteries always seem to die at the most inopportune times and since there isn't any form of battery meter or gauge I like to have batteries on hand, swap them out and be back up and running within a minute. To me the caddy is a great idea but I don't see that you need to block the battery cover to create a way to hold your PW to a light stand.


I was looking at the caddy and PW, the pole would still block the battery cover, so you would need to unstrap it anyway. Then maybe another minute to unscrew the short screw and change batteries. Maybe 1 1/2 total. Not bad for the caddy and the secure, out of the way placement it provides. But I do see your point as it does add extra steps to the process.

On a side note if Im only changing batteries every couple months (using my eneloops) I could just remember to charge them every month and a half.

[cosworth]

Studio sure I can see. But no stretch (why bother?). I've had the same batteries in there since new. I use them turned on for hours at a time. No issues.

I certainly do not use cheap Costco batteries in them either. Energizer.

[Franko515]

UPDATE:

Got em yesterday, havent had a chance to play with em yet. Maybe tonight or tommorrow.

[Franko515]

Someone should come up with a 'caddy-like' device that still gives access to the battery compartment on the PW.

Was searching and came up with this Robert

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pocket-Wizard-mounting-bracket-Wiz-Mount_W0QQitemZ230222618397QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m230222618397

Maybe a solution for ya ;)

[TMR Design]

Thanks Franko. That looks interesting. I like the idea but they should have done something other than the velcro but that piece could be easily modified. I might check one out.