Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Has anybody been receiving the Vagabond Mini Lithium by now?

(And can give a review?)

Or has it again been Vaporware with incredibly awesome specs, that never makes it to the customer in large quantities in time?

I would like to know, because I have ordered one from Europe.

I asked about the mini's a couple of weeks ago, and was told that they would be released toward the end of the month. However, they didn't say which month :roll: I'm guessing this is another case of suppliers not meeting their over-optimistic delivery schedules.

Thanks.

I remember those customers wanting to use it after the xmas-holidays and PCB didn´t turn down their high hopes. But reserved the company an ETA-backdoor.

Quote November 12th:
----------
"As of today, we are expecting a mid to late December release. While Christmas delivery is possible, I cannot recommend relying on it.

http://www.alienbees.com/vmini.html

_________________
TS
info@paulcbuff.com
1-800-443-5542"

--------------

I've asked the sale rep about the Mini when I was notified about my PLM being shipped right on Dec 15, she told me around beginning of Jan. 2011. They were dead on about my PLM when I first ordered, so I hope she's also correct about my Mini this time too. My credit card needs to take a break! :)

I was told by CS that I would receive an email about a week before shipping for credit card authorization... haven't seen that email yet... :?:

Short answer: We have Vagabond's built and tested. 2500 batteries were due to be received by air freight early last week. Then we were informed (Tuesday) the logistics company would not ship them because the vendor failed to provide correct MSDS documentation. We've been screaming at the vendor ever since and are trying every trick in the book to get the batteries in ASAP.

As of this morning (when I cancelled my order) I was told that they hoped to ship at the end of this month but that wouldn't happen. Here is a copy and past directly from the company:



This power pack was actually ordered by a family member as a x-mas gift. I own 2 AB800's and 2 White Lightning x1600's. I actually am very impressed with the lights, for what they cost, they do a whole lot. Besides being frustrated that I can't get any power to them beyond the length of a stinger, I am satisfied. Although, I won't use the products anymore.

The representative that replied to my email was mistaken about my concern. I asked that the order be cancelled because of concerns I had with the "entire Paul C Bluff line", not just the manufacturing setback. I had come online because a modeling light had failed on a X1600. It was then that I found this forum and I ran across what I can only describe as a luny rant about politics and a public decree to cut-off customers that take a political stance that is not in-line with that of their strobe provider. A policy that is exactly opposite of the foundation our country was built on. This is a completely Totalitarian manifesto at its very core. It's disturbing. It's the writings and agenda of a paranoid, angry, troubled, mind and soul.

I understand Paul C. Bluff (the company) is privately held and the majority shareholder can fly the companies flag however they decide. But there is a difference between personal views and corporate ethics. When you sell a product to the public you warranty that you'll support that product for its lifecycle and so long as you have the corporate wherewithall to do so. You warranty that you will give ample notice of discontinuing service, part sales, or new unit sales for that "scalable" product. Cutting State governments off, and threatening other governments and businesses that don't give you a pat on the ass is irresponsible. What about the Colleges and Universities who use the product? What about replacement parts and service? What about being able to add to their collection which are for the purpose of teaching students. What about the students who pay tuition to learn and now can't use that product? What about the students who bought your product because that's what they have in their school studio and want to have their own wet to shoot on, but now the college or university will switch vendors because they can't service the product the entire photography department is learning on. What about the fact that it's our tax dollars that funded the purchase order for those local towns (West Hollywood) but now have seen our tax dollars go to waste because Paul C Bluff the company wont do business with anyone that doesn't play by Paul C Bluffs rules. Public funds bought this product from YOUR company, and you're now slamming the door in our face because you're not willing to let the bureaucratic process unfold like it was designed to do, in order to represent the best interest of the majority of the citizens. Why don't you fight at a level that will make a difference, like at a legislative legel instead of acting like an immature teenager who's pissed off he didn't get to use dads car for the weekend and now wont mow the lawn anymore. Grow up! Look at your manufacturing problems, clean up your side of the street. What about people like me who are waiting on orders while you seem to have taken your eye off the ball while doing nothing more than committing slow corporate suicide. You might not think it will affect your business, but just like your childish (at best) revenge strategy has a trickle down affect on non-government folks (e.g the students who borrowing tuition dollars and rely on your product) it will backlash and have the same affect down the road on the company.

When I went to the polling booths in November checking to see if there would be any repercussions from my strobe light vendor was the last thing that worried me. Now here I sit, with 4 flash units, and lots of accessories, that I'm afraid I wont be able to buy replacement parts for, or get service, or add necessary additional lights to in the future, because they company might find out my political party affiliation, or beliefs.

It's like a madman is at the helm. Your own forum rules state there is to be no talk of such off-topics, yet you post a rambling propoganda and then disable comments. Again, the company is private, it can do that, but it still is suppose to hold itself to a certain criteria of corporate social responsibility, and hurting students (who are borrowing money to learn with your gear), and state taxpayers, all of whom may not even have a dog in this fight, is so stupid, to me, it's overwhelming. I'm literally overwhelmed with stupidity as I try to find the logic behind this.

Anyway, I'm sure this will get deleted since it's a "this is the way you do it or you pay" type of company forum, so I will take a screenshot so I can say I spoke my two cents worth and be able to prove there is a lot being said, but no contrary opinion allowed.

Like I said I like your product. It's a quality product, even at a higher price than you charge. But I cancelled my Mini order today and I really don't have any use for my 4 lights because I can't power them. I use profoto in the studio and these were bought to use on gorilla type shoots that weren't planned. LIghts I could leave in the SUV and not be too worried if they got stolen because they're affordable, as opposed to a profoto pack being stolen if I leave it in the car everyday.

So I guess my next question is: since you state this will have no affect on your business (and quite frankly I don't care if it does or doesn't because I wont be a customer anymore) then it wouldn't have any affect on your business to refund me if I return my 4 lights. They are between 3-6 months old (bought at different times). I would gladly take a discounted rate since they have been used. How about 50%? You refund 50% of the purchase price upon receiving them back from me with all their original parts. It wont have any affect on your business, like you said. This would actually be something corporately responsible since I have a genuine concern that my political affiliation or non-affiliation, or support, or lack of support, for political policy could deal me a death blow in support, service, and sales of a product I already own. And there is nothing in the invoice that explicitly warns that having opposing views from that of Paul C Bluff, may result in being "blacklisted".

So please let me know if you're willing to take my offer.

Bewildered,
Steve Fischer
fashion photographer
Los Angeles, CA

p.s I'm not taking the time to proof read this post. I don't care if it's littered with typos. I'm not here to sell anything or bully anyone into anything. I'm on the other end of that and just want to know if I can get some of my money back.

I'm sure this will be deleted so feel free to email me, you have my email address on my previous order forms.

Checking in again this morning to see how the Mini is coming (looks encouraging), I too noted the frustrated comment Luap wrote in the post to which you replied; in connection with the MSDS requirements of today's Hazmat regulations and how his supplier's failure to properly comply has added to the delay.

Having carefully read your well-written statement, I do not share your perspective and conclusions. I've been similarly disappointed when air freight services have returned shipments almost literally because all "i's" weren't dotted;i.e., for trivial reasons which the inspector could have corrected with a simple stroke of the pen without in any way eroding the regulations' intent.

Paul C. Buff, Inc. has not charged my credit card yet. I ordered a concept realizing it was not then in stock and not available for immediate shipment. As far as I know, there are no equivalent alternative concepts, let alone products, so my order will remain in effect. As someone who works in technical development, I realize that even the best intentions and practice can sometimes be frustrated by circumstances beyond ones control.

Like you, I'm very happy with the quality and performance of the lights I've purchased from Paul C. Buff, Inc. I like the creative and technically competent entrepreneurial spirit I see in this company. Unlike you, I will continue to support them as one of the best examples I've experienced of an innovative, customer-oriented company.

We ARE still talking about a battery here, right? ;) :D

All jokin' aside, Thanks for the straight-up answer Paul. Lookin' forward to it!

Steve: that whole AZ thing (on all sides) was a political statement by all the states and cities. It will unfold in the courts as usual. The way I saw it was AZ put up this law as a cry for help from the federal govt for help (they had asked nicely before but were ignored) in protecting their borders from the drug lords that are running rampant in Mexico (illegal immigration has gone on there for a longggggggg time...probably decades...it's just the violent drug lord workers that have come across recently that has provoked the AZ governor to try something). States and cities have made their own silly political statements to show that they can appease their minority/liberal voters (even though it'll be settled in the courts eventually) so their politicians can stay in office longer. I read the statement in the forum as Paul saying all those political statements are silly, so that was his take on it (note how many people are actually affected by it). The feds did send more support down to AZ to protect the borders last I read, so it appears the ploy by AZ has worked.

As for your lights, put them up on fleabay or craigslist and you'll get more than 50% back for them, but for reliable strobes that can be repaired inexpensively when you inevitably drop them on location, I'm not sure how you can do better. You might want to see if you can find a used VBII locally, though if your intent is location shoots. I can even sell you mine if you're interested since I won't need portable power until the spring since we just got buried w/ 18" of snow in Boston :-P