Arca Swiss B1 Repaired

[peter walker]

A few weeks ago there was some discussion in this forum about

problems with Arca-Swiss B1 ballheads and problems with

them freezing or sticking. I had been "putting up" with the latter

problem for a year or two. Also, I had a problem that the

panning control would not lock the panning function. The

discussion thread prompted me to take my ballhead into the

local dealer, here in Singapore. At the same time I contacted

Arca-Swiss via email. They handled the whole thing very well.

The B1 was shipped to Switzerland, some parts replaced and

then returned in about 3 weeks. During that 3 weeks

Arca-Swiss arranged for the local dealer to lend me a

replacement. The B1 arrived back and it is like brand new. The

panning mechanism is fine and all the stickiness in the ball

movement is gone. Even though the ballhead was a long way

past its warranty period, Arca-Swiss did all the repair and

transportation for free. All it cost me was two visits to my local

camera store.

 

I thought that I would throw in this post to the forum to counter

some of the negative comments. The level and quality of

customer service that I received was excellent. And my

Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead is now a pleasure to use. I guess that

the lesson for me is, when some piece of equipment is not

functioning properly, do not just "put up with it" and grumble

about the supplier, but politely ask for a resolution...

 

Regards

Peter

[eajames]

While I'm glad that Arca-Swiss fixed your Monoball and covered shipping, we are not treated as well in the USA by Arca-Swiss USA. You may characterize their behavior as good customer service but until I exposed the problem of the faulty calottes in this thread (below) they simply brushed the problem under the rug, hoping that it would go away. Feel free to read about by experience with Arca Swiss "customer service" by clicking on my name and reading the associated threads. Why do you suppose that Seattle's biggest camera dealer (Glazier's) and the west coast's biggest online dealer (Cameraworld) no longer sells their ballheads. I know why Glazier's stopped selling Arca Swiss Monoballs and it has EVERYTHING to do with "customer service".

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=001Nrh

 

To The Point: For those of you who have a "sticky" Monoball that exhibits a "jerky" motion: it can be fixed. I recommend that you reference Peter Walker's thread when sending it in for repair and ask for your shipping charges to be reimbursed and a loaner unit to be provided. Good luck!

 

P.S.: Here's another useful URL:

 

http://www.kirkphoto.com/

[boris_krivoruk2]

I was the one who originated one of the last threads on B1 when its movement became too stiff and jerky. I sent it to Arca, they sent it to France and I got back a new head. I used it few times and so far it works. It functions better then the previous one when the previous was new. So far so good. By the way, I live in the US.

[boris_krivoruk3]

Well, it has been few months since my Arca got repaired in France. I've used it may be 6-7 times since that in warm weather, no dust, no rain. It was good for the first few times. Now its movements are stiff. I am ready to throw it away. This is a worst piece of equipment I've ever had. JUNK.

[peter walker]

I guess that I am lucky because, 5 months later, the Arca Swiss

B1 ball head is still working fine. I use it a lot, often in dusty or

humd conditions. Of course, if it fails again, I too will discard it

and find another head. But, I really do like the way it operates

and it is just the right size and weight for my Hasselblad set up.