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Topic: Paul Foster Films website update
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Andrew Woodcock
Film God
Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted September 08, 2014 03:21 PM
Meaning?... Look, it's like Tom, Mark and others have said, if you have a bad experience you simply don't shop there again. These are registered traders at the end of the day so if everyone is being upfront and honest, then there are no issues either way and plenty of protection law for the buyer.
I have dealt with every dealer in the country that now sell super 8mm film. Most times my experiences are good. When they are not, i let them know fairly, but in no uncertain terms, that I will not accept being ripped off.
So far, I have never had an issue with any, if the goods were not up to expectation (and my expectations are always realistic based on price, film stock, description etc etc) then because I am a very fair and honest person, then the response I get back has so far always been favourable.
Obviously, like anyone else, I have my favourites, but no dealer has so far done me a disservice and if they ever did, i would resolve it using the appropriate channels, I hope, without feeling aggrieved and therefore having to resort to just slagging off publicly the few facilities that are left now.
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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"
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Maurizio Di Cintio
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 977
From: Ortona, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted September 08, 2014 05:27 PM
I can account for every single word I wrote, since I usually retain all of my emails, and frankly speaking, I find it rather annoying the fact my experience has been overlooked in some ways. I have been in this hobby for more than 30 years now and consider myself a discerning collector/filmmaker; so I do have 'reasonable expectations', based (repeat: based) on what is described in a list. "All films in very good condition" means no tramlines. True it is in my case it was a film older than 25 years, so one should expect some color fade (which was present but I didn't complain about that), some dirt, some "occasional" scratches, which mean they should not distract from the viewing experience. If they do, because these scratches are too heavy and/or consist in tramlines (even around the centre of the frame), the print is not acceptable, nor can it be defined - based on sheer common sense - in very good condition. Then of course we all must be thankful to the people in the business for keeping the hobby alive - that goes without saying - but every buyer should be put in the condition to choose (by knowing beforehand) if a specific print has flaws so that he can choose if he wants to live with them or not BEFORE buying. That's being fair to me. Is Paul Foster always fair? Maybe. With me (and at least another person or two) not 100% Was it a mistake, or something else? I don't know, since he didn't reply to the last of my emails.
Also, re.: the opportunity to write comments like this in the forum, I'd like to say there should be no problem: this is not for advertising, it's to exchange experiences and ideas, that's what we do when we talk about problems on hard/software, where to buy this and that, etc etc. Why should it be different when it comes to rating a seller? Actually this might even improve the service: perhaps in the future he will avoid this kind of problems. Finally, Andrew, what do you mean with: "i let them know fairly, but in no uncertain terms, that I will not accept being ripped off"?
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Maurizio
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Clay Smith
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 144
From: El Cerrito, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted September 08, 2014 06:48 PM
That is so right. My two negative experiences were here in the US, both were Ebay and both got resolved. One was a digest that was completely "mummified" in it's case, so bound up in duct tape and cellophane that it took me 15 minutes to extract it from it's tomb and once I did, the smell of vinegar was so strong!! Did they think I wouldn't notice or something? Ha. Anyway, I have had very good purchases from the UK as well as France, Germany, Belgium and Greece. I suppose it is as you said Andrew, if you have a bad experience you simply don't shop there again. So far I've been quite fortunate in having the good experience.
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Maurizio Di Cintio
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 977
From: Ortona, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted September 09, 2014 08:35 AM
quote:
what i also find very sad is the selfishness shown in some of the replies. being more concerned about loosing a dealer or not getting lists. than the unfair treatment to fellow collectors. should it have been them that had recieved a film not as described i think we would have seen very different replies and views. i also stand by what i said about film fairs. as David Guest has said. use it or loose it. the Blackpool film fair for one is a great event at a superb venue.and should be attended by all who can.
Thank you, Paul: in addition to empathizing with me, you supplied me with the word I was looking for: "selfishness", that's exactly what was missing so far, and very sad for me too, because it seems sellers (more or less) professional are more important than establishing lasting relationships among people who share the same interest; funny, I've always thought it's this very kind of 'bond' which prompts (compels?) each of us to reply a query, to give advice, to counsel and praise others for their achievements, whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. But now it sounds like we are guilty for not receiving what we were supposed to get, and all the more so, for letting others know, as if silence were better.
I hope I can meet you and David at the next BFCC. Roger and over
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Maurizio
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