HEADS UP! Red Drive CABLE NOT INCLUDED with Drive!

[Ricardo Mehedff]

Who thought the Red Drive CABLE was included with the DRIVE and didn't order one because you ordered the RED DRIVE over six months ago (along with all the other accesories) when it WAS INCLUDED?
just curious...

honestly, i don't think it's very cool to ship the first Drives with cables... and make the rest of us who also RESERVED the drive along time ago pay 200 bucks for it! :greedy:

[Brent@RED]

Development costs of the DRIVE were higher than expected so based on customer feedback, we maintained the published price yet made the DRIVE CABLE separate instead of raising the price of the RED DRIVES.

BC

[Ricardo Mehedff]

I understand Brent, but the staff at RED should really inform everyone who ordered the Drive months ago that their purchase does not include the cable.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hey Brent

We can understand the reason for this, but we can't understand why it wasn't officially posted in the RECON forum.

I heard about it from Dan Duran 2 weeks ago when I made a phone call.

Thanks for posting around here, we apreciate greatly.

Cheers

Emmanuel

[Brent@RED]

I understand Brent, but the staff at RED should really inform everyone who ordered the Drive months ago that their purchase does not include the cable.

The BOMB SQUAD has been instructed to do so.

BC

[Ricardo Mehedff]

i just don't want people opening their RED boxes, all pumped to use it and find out they don't have a cable to record to the drive...
this is what would have happened to me if i weren't such an avid reader of reduser!! :nerd:

[Brent@RED]

Understood. The BOMB SQUAD reps know to make sure this is 100% clear to everyone who orders a DRIVE.

BC

[Brice Ansel]

Bomb squad didn't mention us we needed to order that cable separately, we had to do an extra order and an extra money wired. By the way dear Brent do you have an ETA of the shiping of our red 976?
Thanks Brice

[Steve Freebairn]

For all the people that are having problems (we didn't get a drive cable either). Call Red, Nate worked with us and realized that he hadn't told us about the Red drive cable so he shipped us 1 for each drive for free, great customer service. The point I'm trying to make is, if you have a problem, call Red, don't post your issue on here to get it resolved, only to warn others not to have a similar issue (by the title of the thread, you were trying to warn, so no real complaint against you)

[Gabriel Beaudry]

Thanks for the heads up. Its the first time I hear about this and my Red shipped yesterday.

[Mark Thorpe]

I certainly was NOT informed by anyone at the time of ordering my two drives!! This is a pisser. Now, being in Africa away from my bank I have to arrange a second order, incur those wiring costs because communication avenues are somewhat blocked. C'mon guys this shouldn't happen, hearing about this in this way.

Cheers,
Mark.

[Brent@RED]

If you do not recall your BOMB SQUAD rep telling about this via phone or email, you can contact him and I will waive shipping on your order for DRIVE CABLES.

BC

[Mark Thorpe]

Can you also waive my bank wiring charges?

Dry Brit sense of humor but still a point. No offense.

Cheers,
Mark.
P.S It's not that I don't recall being told. I was not told, period. I have all emails sent and received between RED and myself and never once was this mentioned.

[Lauri Kettunen]

Same problem, the camera was shipped here yesterday and when reading posts realized the drive cables are not included. Definitely was not told about this. However, I called Dan and paid for the cables. They should be shipped here today or tomorrow.

[Brent@RED]

I will PM you, Mark, so we can work on it.

BC

[Emmanuel Cambier]

I wish I hadn't been told, then I could have got it for free.

Emmanuel

[Paul Hazlett]

for what its worth I think you should change the price and include the cable.

it would just save alot of confusion and be one less thing BS has to do for its customers.

The problem is the EVF comes with a cable, the LCD comes with a cable,

for the drive NOT to come with a cable is a bit odd in my opinion.

Whats worse, someone complaining about a price, or complaining they have a
900 dollar paper weight until they can't use until they get a cable they thought they were getting with the drive?

[Brent J. Craig]

Can you also waive my bank wiring charges?

Does NO ONE have credit cards?!!?

[Dustin Cross]

I was just told about this today! Now I am waiting to hear back from my rep if I can pay for my drive cable with a credit card or not?


Dusty

[Brent@RED]

for what its worth I think you should change the price and include the cable.

it would just save alot of confusion and be one less thing BS has to do for its customers.

The problem is the EVF comes with a cable, the LCD comes with a cable,

for the drive NOT to come with a cable is a bit odd in my opinion.

Whats worse, someone complaining about a price, or complaining they have a
900 dollar paper weight until they can't use until they get a cable they thought they were getting with the drive?

Simple, people buy one EVF and/or LCD so would only need one cable for each (unless they wanted spares). Some people have bought 5 DRIVES - yet you use only one at a time. Why have 4 spare cables? Just my opinion, but I think people would want the option to choose if they want more than one cable for multiple drives instead of being forced to pay for cables they may never use.

Thanks, BC

[Brent@RED]

I was just told about this today! Now I am waiting to hear back from my rep if I can pay for my drive cable with a credit card or not?


Dusty

If you have already paid up with a wire and need to just add a DRIVE CABLE, yes, you can use a cc for that order.

BC

[jimhare]

Simple, people buy one EVF and/or LCD so would only need one cable for each (unless they wanted spares). Some people have bought 5 DRIVES - yet you use only one at a time. Why have 4 spare cables?
Thanks, BC

That's a good point, I hadn't thought of that. I have three drives coming but will probably only need two cables (1 spare should be enough.)

[Paul Hazlett]

Some people have bought 5 DRIVES - yet you use only one at a time. Why have 4 spare cables?
Thanks, BC

I see your point. How about one more option on the site with a different SKU
for drive with and drive without?

[Damien Molineaux]

Development costs of the DRIVE were higher than expected so based on customer feedback, we maintained the published price yet made the DRIVE CABLE separate instead of raising the price of the RED DRIVES.

BC

Odd... considering the price of drives is constantly becoming cheaper and cheaper as capacity increases. The Red drive's specifications haven't changed since they were announced. I would think there would be a wider margin now then when it was first announced. Is Red in financial trouble that they have to raise prices ? Is this due to the exchange rate of the dollar ?

The one item on the Red store which has the oddest pricing, in my opinion, is the ET 19mm base plate which costs 150% of the the price of it's 15mm equivalent, while they must in fact cost the same to produce. I think Red should ditch their flimsy Bottom Plate, which so many people are complaining about, and sell the ET 19mm as standard for the same price as the 15mm. Come on, business is booming. You talk about listening to customer feedback, the Bottom Plate and Shoulder Dovetail combo are not satisfactory, ET makes a great Base Plate, Arri compatible, why doesn't Red sell that with their own new Shoulder Dovetail ?

Cheers,
Damien

PS I got lucky and got my Red Drives with cables before this change, but I understand how others would be pissed off, particularly about not being informed.

[Jon Atack]

I am surprised at reading this and thank the original poster for the warning.

To change the price after a deposit has been made is simply dishonest business practice.

Whether or not drive prices are going up or down, a commitment is a commitment. There are many ways to hedge exchange rate fluctuation risk, but few ways to maintain customers' faith in your company when you do not keep your word.

I am seriously considering cancelling my $33K order -- if you people are still honoring that.

[Sean R.]

Earthling:

and sell the ET 19mm as standard for the same price as the 15mm

Those are the same prices that they are sold for directly by Element

[Ricardo Mehedff]

i'm the original author of this thread and have been keeping quiet, just reading the comments from everyone. Now, even though Jon Atack is (IMO) exaggerating a bit (cancelling the order), i also believe it is dishonest business practice to change the price after a deposit has been made and REALLY think RED should reconsider this and ship the cables to the Reservation holders of the Drive up until the date you started charging extra for the drive cable (a few weeks ago).

[Cüneyt Kaya]

[QUOTE=Brent@RED;178485... forced to pay for cables they may never use.

Thanks, BC[/QUOTE]

hhhm but it is not like "hey the drive with cable was 900 USD----now it is
750 USD for the DRIVE and 200 USD for the cables."

[R. Gonzales]

BS BS BS,

No one
Has Told me SH*T!!

Explained that Brent




Method


Understood. The BOMB SQUAD reps know to make sure this is 100% clear to everyone who orders a DRIVE.

BC

[Billy McCannon]

I wasn't told and I was charged shipping.

[Brent@RED]

BS BS BS,

No one
Has Told me SH*T!!

Explained that Brent


The goal is to inform everyone during the order process. Method, it looks like your order is still in process and awaiting payment.

Regardless, all BOMB SQUAD reps have been reminded that it is critical to tell each customer of this fact should they have a DRIVE on order.

My apologies for the frustration,
BC

[Pawel Achtel]

I am seriously considering cancelling my $33K order -- if you people are still honoring that.

Mate, if I can be of any assistance here, I'll take your cancelation and gladly pay for the cables. I will refund you every penny that you have spent with Red plus interest. PM me if this solves "the problem".

Cheers,

Pawel
www.achtel.com

[Brigham Edgar]

Regardless, all BOMB SQUAD reps have been reminded that it is critical to tell each customer of this fact should they have a DRIVE on order.

My apologies for the frustration,
BC

Again another NOT told about this change. Our order was paid for almost 2 weeks ago (#903) and we are still waiting for our tracking number, thank god i read this before so we can try and stick it in our order.
This change in accessories goes hand in hand with the problem that RED had with the quality of it's accessories and changing to cast from machining without informing customers. This type of thing is really easy guys, c'mon. RED NEED to create a page on the site with announcements like this. The forum is great and revolutionary in itself but is getting huge and if your not looking for something direct you will never find it. And considering the extreme importance of some of these matters in NEEEEEEEDS to be set somewhere seperately on your home page!!!! You can't just simply add a comment here and there on the forum, it just aint getting to your customers.
Just a page link seperate to Jims Recon that's used solely for small changes to items, accessories etc. Again, it NEEDS to be done, not all of us are Forum trolls.

By the way, hate seeing you guys saying sorry.

[Brigham Edgar]

I am surprised at reading this and thank the original poster for the warning.

To change the price after a deposit has been made is simply dishonest business practice.

Whether or not drive prices are going up or down, a commitment is a commitment. There are many ways to hedge exchange rate fluctuation risk, but few ways to maintain customers' faith in your company when you do not keep your word.



Bit harsh...i don't believe RED are being dishonest, but are making some pretty rudimentary business mistakes, but you do have a point.

[Dylan Macleod, CSC]

Again another NOT told about this change. Our order was paid for almost 2 weeks ago (#903) and we are still waiting for our tracking number, thank god i read this before so we can try and stick it in our order.
This change in accessories goes hand in hand with the problem that RED had with the quality of it's accessories and changing to cast from machining without informing customers. This type of thing is really easy guys, c'mon. RED NEED to create a page on the site with announcements like this. The forum is great and revolutionary in itself but is getting huge and if your not looking for something direct you will never find it. And considering the extreme importance of some of these matters in NEEEEEEEDS to be set somewhere seperately on your home page!!!! You can't just simply add a comment here and there on the forum, it just aint getting to your customers.
Just a page link seperate to Jims Recon that's used solely for small changes to items, accessories etc. Again, it NEEDS to be done, not all of us are Forum trolls.

By the way, hate seeing you guys saying sorry.

Paid for two weeks ago and not received?

Hey Brent, I inquired in another thread about delivery time and you said that once payment is received there is 3-5 days processing then it ships?

Apparently not, if FED EX is a couple of days...one should have their camera a week after sending payment, no? Okay, maybe ten days...okay two weeks at the very most!

I don't mind if you say "it'll take six weeks", but a "fairly" accurate timeline would be useful.

Thanks.

Dylan Macleod
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com

[Brigham Edgar]

Paid for two weeks ago and not received?

Hey Brent, I inquired in another thread about delivery time and you said that once payment is received there is 3-5 days processing then it ships?

Apparently not, if FED EX is a couple of days...one should have their camera a week after sending payment, no? Okay, maybe ten days...okay two weeks at the very most!

I don't mind if you say "it'll take six weeks", but a "fairly" accurate timeline would be useful.

Thanks.

Dylan Macleod
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com

To clarify, we paid from our bank 2 weeks ago this friday coming. So gotta give a couple of business days for the banks to do their thing, then RED to process, think there was an issue somewhere but unsure of what exactly...but yeah, it's ticking on. Just heard ours should be shipped out Monday so should mean later in the week hopefully.

[Yean Loon]

I am surprised at reading this and thank the original poster for the warning.

To change the price after a deposit has been made is simply dishonest business practice.

Whether or not drive prices are going up or down, a commitment is a commitment. There are many ways to hedge exchange rate fluctuation risk, but few ways to maintain customers' faith in your company when you do not keep your word.

I am seriously considering cancelling my $33K order -- if you people are still honoring that.

Please use words like 'dishonest' properly. Throughout the years, (Yes!! It's been years!!) of developing, then releasing and then further improving the camera, Jim and Co. have been nothing less than honest.

Mistakes have been made along the way, no doubt. It's up to you whether you want to accept (or forgive) those mistakes.

But I truly think those were "honest" mistakes rather than "dishonest" business practices


No hard feelings!! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
yean

ps I didn't realise that my drives didn't come with cables until this thread!! time to call Dan Duran!!!!

[Anthony Gratl]

i also believe it is dishonest business practice to change the price after a deposit has been made and REALLY think RED should reconsider this and ship the cables to the Reservation holders of the Drive up until the date you started charging extra for the drive cable (a few weeks ago).

i absolutely agree that it is ethically wrong to take deposits from people for equipment and then change the items in the order once they start shipping product. The only exception to this is the Red Premium Production Pack, which Jim stated would not be happening before shipping started and everyone was aware, but to make these changes unilaterally to customers' orders after taking deposits from them....not cool.

[Mark Pedersen]

Odd... considering the price of drives is constantly becoming cheaper and cheaper as capacity increases. The Red drive's specifications haven't changed since they were announced. I would think there would be a wider margin now then when it was first announced. Is Red in financial trouble that they have to raise prices ? Is this due to the exchange rate of the dollar ?

While it may be true that drive capacities increase and cost per/G drops over time, I hardly think this is the issue. I seriously doubt if Red is having financial difficulty, and hitting their customers for an extra $200 would be highly inefficient way to "regain" financial health.

I talked to Kelly about this when paying for my order, and my understanding is that they changed their policy so they weren't including cables with every drive in case you ordered multiple drives—which I did. That makes sense to me, but then that policy should have been determined when pricing was set in the first place. OK, they probably didn't think that one through at the time with everything they are trying to do as a company. Chalk it up to inexperience.. OK.

So I can understand the policy change. But like many others, I've had two drives reserved since NAB 2007... about a year ago. So in my opinion, if Red decided that it made more sense to not charge an additional $200 as part of the drive cost, then why not simply create a policy where the first cable is provided free with the first drive. Additional drives are available for the reduced price of $750.00. If you want backup cables, then charge $200/cable. Simple. Clean. No hard feelings. But don't change a policy, tell some people and not others, force people to start threads on Reduser in order to ping the community and Red, and then hope to get a correct answer. This very question came up a week or two or go and was never cleared up officially until now. (I had to get confirmation from Kelly).

As a company Red is awesome in so many ways. But honestly, IMHO, they need to get better at their business practices in certain areas if they are going to maintain a healthy, happy community of users (correction) customers over the long haul. It's precisely these kinds of issues (accessory related mostly it seems) that can create discontent, negative word-of-mouth and a bad reputation for Red. I'd hate to see that as I am a passionate believer in what this company is doing for all of us.

Time to move from a scrappy startup, and grow a strong customer service organization that is focused on quality control, effective communication and stellar, consistent service. Loyal customers who plunked down money early on to support this platform should be nurtured and cared for, just as every new customer should. I'm not saying that they don't take care of customers, because they do. But it often seems to be AFTER some gaff or miscommunication or bad part. If those issues were addressed in advance, it would make it much easier on the Bomb Squad and other support staff. Hate to say it, but Red wants to establish a reputation in the production & post production community, it's time to face some of these issues head on, and iron them out.


The one item on the Red store which has the oddest pricing, in my opinion, is the ET 19mm base plate which costs 150% of the the price of it's 15mm equivalent, while they must in fact cost the same to produce. I think Red should ditch their flimsy Bottom Plate, which so many people are complaining about, and sell the ET 19mm as standard for the same price as the 15mm. Come on, business is booming. You talk about listening to customer feedback, the Bottom Plate and Shoulder Dovetail combo are not satisfactory, ET makes a great Base Plate, Arri compatible, why doesn't Red sell that with their own new Shoulder Dovetail ?


I have to agree with this suggestion. The cast Bottom Plate is pretty much useless in its current iteration. I'm buying the ET 15mm because I want to have an base plate that is Arri compatible, but ordered the ET 19mm plate because I want the option to 19mm for heavier rigs and to use other Red components like the Cradle, etc. on the bottom rods. I figured I'd never use the Red Bottom Plate because of the quality issues. The price difference between the 15 and 19mm plates seems excessive, but I just assumed it was "market pricing" because the ET 19mm plate is technically competitive to Red.

All that said, the production pack configuration is a very good value. That is, of course as long as the remaining parts fit, the handles grip as they should, and the finish is acceptable. I guess I'll find out when I get mine.

Hope these suggestions are helpful. That's the spirit behind them anyway.

M

[Anthony Gratl]

Incredibly well written and hit the nail right on the head Mark

[mikhail]

I'm late to the game but now I really want two reds. Badly! Anyone not happy with Reds $200 cable, I'll take your RED order for you! Please!

I'd want my red cam now and not wait till summer.

[Mark Pedersen]

You really think someone is going to give up their red order over a $200 cable? ;)

Admire your spunk tho!

[mikhail]

Worth a shot.

[Mark Thorpe]

Does NO ONE have credit cards?!!?Yes I do. However, in the past, I have been the victim of credit card fraud on the Internet. As a rule I no longer, for whatever reason, use my details for online purchases. I'm sorry if that ruffles your feathers but its not a perfect World.

I have sorted this issue with Brent at RED directly with them. I don't normally air my feelings regarding RED issues but this just kinda tripped me a bit. Needless to say the guys at RED handled it professionally.

Cheers,
Mark.

[Brent@RED]

Brent I am just joining in here.

How can I get an update on My orders?

Do I get the cable?

Red Camera 2249 + 2327

You can call us at 949.206.7900 and select the Sales option for an update.

Interface cables for RED ONE must be purchased separately for RED DRIVES.

Thanks, BC

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

Wow, I think 200 dollars is also a bit much for a cable...

Of course they are propriatary, and on an order of 30K I suppose it doesn't matter much, but I am a bit surprised at such a high pricing for a cable to connect your drive.
Of course I don't know anything about the manufacturing process, so maybe it's a very good price.

Ow, and I also think you should just change the pricing of the drive. With the EVF and the LCD being delivered WITH a cable, this is just confusing. Or make it standard 1100 dollars, and you can select somewhere WITHOUT cable, and THEN the price changes back to 900 dollars. It's just to easy to overlook now.

[Bing Bailey]

why didn't you just raise the price if the R&D was more. its a bit of sleight of hand because you can't use the drive without the cable. so you have to buy it. you should have just raised the price and taken the heat. being able to say the price is still the same isnt frankly true in the most honest sense and doesn't absolve being told isn't not really an increase in the drive price.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Yeah but you only need 1 cable, then you can still order several drives at the normal price.

The only thing that's not very nice, is the way people have heard about it.
It should have been officialy announced.

Emmanuel

[Brice Ansel]

Emmanuel, actually I remember now, you are the one who inform me about that issue last week.
Brice

[Jon Atack]

So in my opinion, if Red decided that it made more sense to not charge an additional $200 as part of the drive cost, then why not simply create a policy where the first cable is provided free with the first drive. Additional drives are available for the reduced price of $750.00. If you want backup cables, then charge $200/cable. Simple. Clean. No hard feelings. But don't change a policy, tell some people and not others, force people to start threads on Reduser in order to ping the community and Red, and then hope to get a correct answer. This very question came up a week or two or go and was never cleared up officially until now. (I had to get confirmation from Kelly).

As a company Red is awesome in so many ways. But honestly, IMHO, they need to get better at their business practices in certain areas if they are going to maintain a healthy, happy community of users (correction) customers over the long haul. It's precisely these kinds of issues (accessory related mostly it seems) that can create discontent, negative word-of-mouth and a bad reputation for Red. I'd hate to see that as I am a passionate believer in what this company is doing for all of us.

Time to move from a scrappy startup, and grow a strong customer service organization that is focused on quality control, effective communication and stellar, consistent service. Loyal customers who plunked down money early on to support this platform should be nurtured and cared for, just as every new customer should. I'm not saying that they don't take care of customers, because they do. But it often seems to be AFTER some gaff or miscommunication or bad part. If those issues were addressed in advance, it would make it much easier on the Bomb Squad and other support staff. Hate to say it, but Red wants to establish a reputation in the production & post production community, it's time to face some of these issues head on, and iron them out.

Hope these suggestions are helpful. That's the spirit behind them anyway.

M

Exactly, Mark.

Thank you.

Folks, there is nothing particularly harsh in not green-lighting questionable business practices. Changing the price after a deposit has been made and order placed in good faith is simply not on, whatever the excuse or reason. To my mind, it's unethical, and if we did that, our customers would leave in a hurry. It's not a question of the amount, it's the principle. I'm sure Jim would agree.

RED Team, I don't post here for the fun of it and am neither a fanboy nor a troll. I am just a regular business customer who is testing the water with a $33K order before deciding whether or not to really jump in. While you have come up with a promising product and an appealing philosophy that got my initial order, to my mind that wonderful start is being rather seriously undermined with quality control issues and questionable practices like this one.

Do make it right, please. Our RED order is under reconsideration and we are looking at Panasonic again, because the people I know there won't do things like that; they value our current and future business. I am sorry if that sounds like a bad attitude, because it is not. It's about doing what's right by people like us who invested in your product, vision and company.

I won't write here again about this. The ball is in your court.

[AIO Films]

To change the price after a deposit has been made is simply dishonest business practice.

And this applies to the 18-85mm zoom lens, too?!



I am seriously considering cancelling my $33K order -- if you people are still honoring that.

Who cares? RED makes an excellent product that most people couldn't wait to get their hands on. I was not getting the best online/real-people shopping experience from RED either. But what can I do? Nobody is perfect, or should I say no business is perfect. RED needs to make money too.

Just bite the bullet and enjoy what the camera has to offer.

[Mark L. Pederson]

Changing the price after a deposit has been made and order placed in good faith is simply not on, whatever the excuse or reason. To my mind, it's unethical

Jon -

If you looked at the paperwork when you put down a deposit - it was clearly stated that all prices AND specifications were subject to change. After all - many of us put down a deposit for a product that did not even exist at the time!

I know for fact, from a conversation with Jim, that the hard costs to create the camera body itself were substantially higher than they projected. They could have changed the price of the camera body - they didn't.

Now, I am NOT saying that Red is perfect. Far from it. And they know that. And it is clear that they are busting their ass to make customers happy. And if you look at how much they have listened here on this forum to feedback - and even made changes based on demands on this forum - I think it's just way off course here to even use the word unethical. They have been shipping product for less than 7 months.

[Matthew Rogers]

If you looked at the paperwork when you put down a deposit - it was clearly stated that all prices AND specifications were subject to change. After all - many of us put down a deposit for a product that did not even exist at the time!

Mark, some of the issue (at least for me) is not that things changed, but that they changed AFTER some people received certain items. Paying $200 more for a cable. Paying for cast parts that are obviously not as good as the machined parts. If started changing prices and started sending out crappy work, then I would lose clients.

Here's the deal. We don't mind things being changed so much, but we want clear communication about it. When they stopped including RED Drive cable, the Bomb Squad should have been first informed and then Jim should have posted a note explaining so in the Recon section. Same thing for the cast parts and the finish. Jim should have posted in Recon at the first post he saw about it saying that they would look into it and for people to post their gripes about it.

Communication is the key. RED isn't that big of a company (about 25 people?) so internal should not be and issue.

Matthew

[Mark L. Pederson]

Mark, some of the issue (at least for me) is not that things changed, but that they changed AFTER some people received certain items. Paying $200 more for a cable. Paying for cast parts that are obviously not as good as the machined parts. If started changing prices and started sending out crappy work, then I would lose clients.

Here's the deal. We don't mind things being changed so much, but we want clear communication about it. When they stopped including RED Drive cable, the Bomb Squad should have been first informed and then Jim should have posted a note explaining so in the Recon section. Same thing for the cast parts and the finish. Jim should have posted in Recon at the first post he saw about it saying that they would look into it and for people to post their gripes about it.

Communication is the key. RED isn't that big of a company (about 25 people?) so internal should not be and issue.

Matthew
Matthew -

I agree 100% communication is key.

Just so you know, the way I remember it - parts were ALWAYS going to be cast - and when the first RED DAY approached - Red told us that the accessories were NOT ready and they would machine a limited number of parts so the very first cameras could get out the door.

When there was a lot of confusion over what the various parts were - RED took photos and posted them on the site - there was NOT cast parts at Red at the time to photograph - so, yeah, the photos on the site are machined - and I agree - they should be changed to the actual final shipping product.

[planet e]

what i observe is that folks are more willing to feed their paranoia than to face the facts, sometimes...RED has already confirmed (in the "Crappy v. Sexy" thread) that they are willing to exchange the parts with the weak finish for new parts. they are withholding shipments of parts until the new parts are in (i personally have three back-ordered parts which i am waiting for....).

but this issue is getting constantly recycled as an example of how RED is not listening or responding. even though it has already been addressed and changes are happening in QC.

i agree that RED should communicate changes up front and address people's concerns as quickly as possible -- even a simple "we are looking into it and will get back to this thread with an answer shortly" would be reassuring. sometimes these threads go on for several days without an answer from the RED team, and the paranoia and accusations and FUD spread like wildfire....

[Mark L. Pederson]

sometimes these threads go on for several days without an answer from the RED team, and the paranoia and accusations and FUD spread like wildfire....
just remember - just because you see members of the Red Team logged on - doesn't mean they are reading the forum. They are a bit ... busy after all.

Personally, I'd rather not have ANY of the KEY Read Team members (who are not in "support") post anything until NAB. I'd rather have them making the "magic" faster.

You can email concerns and start support tickets - I think it is a mistake to think of REDUSER at the primary way to communicate to RED.

And yes, RED has set that precedent - but I'd rather collect all the hours the KEY Red Team members (the ones who are not in "support") - spent on this board - and put that time back into R&D and bug squishin!

[donatello b]

Red has always stated they reserve the right to change etc ..
lets get back to RED BASIC's .. best performance for the $$ ...
IMO if Red could include the cable they would - so call it a price increase or whatever ... so we have 1 price increase at the RED store - 320 gig drive 900 +200 cable = 1100 = still a good deal - how much are others charging for 320 gig...

the ole US $$ has gone down 20% in the past year - much more since NAB 2006 ... body still 17,500 ...

just can't please everybody ... Red slows down shipping because they don't have all the parts - so we bitch ... Red then ships camera's without basic production pack & other items and we bitch because all the parts are not in the boxes ?????

i'm all for bringing these things to Red's attention and giving suggestions to improve their operations - however i really dislike suggestions that they are in anyway being dishonest or trying to pull something over us ...

[Emmanuel Cambier]

And yes, RED has set that precedent - but I'd rather collect all the hours the KEY Red Team members (the ones who are not in "support") - spent on this board - and put that time back into R&D and bug squishin!

Mark,

Are you trying to say I'm not the only one who spends too much time on these boards? :clown2:

You should tell this to my wife.:innocent:

Emmanuel

[Charles Perkins]

the thing I don't get is if the development costs were higher, then why didn't they know this when they shipped the first of the drives?

why did some people get the cable for free, but then they started to charge for it under the pretense that the development costs were higher than expected.

[R. Gonzales]

The goal is to inform everyone during the order process. Method, it looks like your order is still in process and awaiting payment.

Regardless, all BOMB SQUAD reps have been reminded that it is critical to tell each customer of this fact should they have a DRIVE on order.

My apologies for the frustration,
BC

Thanks Brent,
It's all good, I'm probably more frustrated by the fact I'm only a few miles south of you and My schedule has me pinned down right now. when I get a chance I'll contact Brian and figure out the cable thing.

Method

[Brent@RED]

Understood, we are ready when you are :)

BC