Lite Panels is not what it used to be

[Lenny Manfred]

problem resolved, so i removed my rant. i created enough turmoil, now i just want peace.

 

[Martin Weiss]

I can recommend coollights.biz

 

[Clint Lealos]

Wow! That sucks. I always loved Lite Panels too, but I will think twice about buying any lights from them in the future. Thanks for the heads up Lenny.

 

[Peter Moretti]

Well that makes my upcoming light purchase a lot easier. I was thinking about adding some LED's, but it's nice to able to cross one maker off the list.

 

[Bob Gruen]

coollights.biz. I was one of Richard's early adopters and I can tell you that he puts a real focus on customer assistance / support.

Bob

 

[Steve Das]

...went there. it is downtown los angeles, which is closer for me, but it is on a funky area, and hard to find, and when i finally found the place, it did not look like no service facility i have ever been to. it is apparently mixed with a sewing machine repair or something, and it is a warehouse with boxes everywhere of nothing relating to lights, and, on a little corner, behind more boxes, you can see a work desk and a couple of lite panels laying around. that did not sit well with me, but what choice did i have, it was just 3 months into the warranty.

...very strange indeed...reads like a scene out of a horror movie...

 

[Kwan Khan]

1 Mo' Vote for coollights

 

[Michael Olsen]

Rough experience to be sure...

And odd that Vitec Group would let that happen. Hopefully they will clear up those issues and treat you and other customers a little more properly.

P.S. "50% off Litepanel repair with sewing machine tune up."

 

[Peter Moretti]

Well that makes my upcoming light purchase a lot easier. I was thinking about adding some LED's, but it's nice to able to cross one maker off the list.

Well I just want to add that my post above is not bullshit or bluster. This type of behavior sucks by manufacturers and they should be held accountable. So, FWIW, they ain't getting our $$'s.

 

[Thomas Koch]

I can also recommend FloLights. The newer models are solid, they have a great team working there, and the light is fantastic.

 

[ericyoung]

I know (a little) about Vitec, and from that I gather it's not their practice to "impose" much change on the companies they buy. For example, Sachtler and Vinten and O'Connor are all owned by them, but they effectlvely act as independent companies with their own designs, products and workforce, and customer service.

Rather than blaming Vitec, perhaps it'd be more productive to write to the Public Relations department or CEO of Litepanels for an answer to your complaints.

 

[Ken Fisher]

Apologies for your troubles

Apologies for your troubles

Hi Lenny,
My apologies for all of your troubles – please let me fix it for you.
As you’re in Los Angeles, how about stopping by the office during the first week in January? I'd also like get more details on the issue that you mentioned.
In the meantime, please let me know if you need a loaner light.
Best regards,
Ken Fisher
Litepanels Co-Founder
(If you want to stop by after 5pm, I'll include an offer of a tall adult beverage as well)

 

[Lenny Manfred]

ken, thank you for your message.

i was just going to report here that the nice people at Film Tools offered to take it back, at their expense, and only charge me 10% restocking fees, and i accepted their offer.

i still have 4 older ones that are working fine, and ken, i will look you up if i have issues with them too.

thanks.

 

[Ken Fisher]

Thanks for the update

Thanks for the update

Hi Lenny,

Thanks for the update - my offer still stands for a visit and we're releasing the new Sola 6 LED Fresnel in January (this may be the exact light that you're looking for to add to your Litepanels collection) - I'll arrange a special discount with Stan at FilmTools if you like it.

Best,
Ken

 

[David Rasberry]

Hi Lenny,

Thanks for the update - my offer still stands for a visit and we're releasing the new Sola 6 LED Fresnel in January (this may be the exact light that you're looking for to add to your Litepanels collection) - I'll arrange a special discount with Stan at FilmTools if you like it.

Best,
Ken

I played with one of the Sola ENG fresnels at Infocomm this year. Love to have a dozen of those if I could afford them. Great little light. The Sola 6 was on display but not operating.