Transfer of Ownership Fee

[Bradley Crane]

I'm having a hard time understanding the need for a $500 transfer of ownership fee.

I recently purchased a chunk of film equipment which included 5 Epics. I plan on selling 3 of the epics and keeping 2 to join my original epic.

This means I will have to pay $500 x 5 to bring them into my name. Then immediately pay $500 x 3 to put them into someone else's name. That's $4,000. I understand you have overhead and administrative costs. I understand ownership transfer requires a human to punch some buttons. But $4,000? We're talking about changing a name on an account.

The justification I get from RED is that it allows the new owner to access firmware and the ability to service the camera. To me this translates to: because we can, pay it or else.

Help me understand

And just to be clear I love shooting with my epic. As an owner operator I've been very happy with RED. As a business owner I get frustrated.

 

[Zeb B]

It's a long standing policy that has many benefits to the RED owner's community. Surprised you would purchase so many RED products without knowing this. Since this cost is applied to everyone equally - it is a cost that is built into every used RED camera on the market so therefore just a cost of doing business.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

A couple of thoughts...

1) If you are paying for the transfer to you, perhaps your buyers should be expected to the pay fee when they purchase from you. That brings your cost to $2500.

2) Given that you probably spent (guessing) upwards of $75K to purchase these Epics, the charge is relatively minimal as a percentage and does provide some excellent benefits. If I am not mistaken, don't you get the cameras inspected and "signed off" for that fee?

3) Perhaps, if it is not too late, you can arrange for one transfer fee for the cameras that you are selling; directly from your seller to your buyers. That would cut out the double fee on 3 of the cameras.

 

[Bradley Crane]

It's a long standing policy that has many benefits to the RED owner's community. Surprised you would purchase so many RED products without knowing this. Since this cost is applied to everyone equally - it is a cost that is built into every used RED camera on the market so therefore just a cost of doing business.

Ive never purchased used REDs before. I understand RED is not in the business of helping people sell used cameras. But I'm still not grasping the need for a $500 fee. I would be surprised if I purchased a used f-150 and ford required me to pay a $500 transfer fee in order to service the vehicle.

 

[Bradley Crane]

A couple of thoughts...


1) If you are paying for the transfer to you, perhaps your buyers should be expected to the pay fee when they purchase from you. That brings your cost to $2500.

I do and will require the buyers to do so. But that essentially raises my selling price by $500.

2) Given that you probably spent (guessing) upwards of $75K to purchase these Epics, the charge is relatively minimal as a percentage and does provide some excellent benefits. If I am not mistaken, don't you get the cameras inspected and "signed off" for that fee?

That would make sense to me. But the $500 transfer fee dose not include the cameras being inspected. There is an additional fee for inspection and re certification. I understand that part costing money. And I agree the charge is relatively minimal. I just kinda feel like they're charging 500 bucks cause they can. I still haven't come across a solid justification for the fee let alone justification for denying 1 $500 fee to bring all 5 into my name at one time. $2500 because we can doesn't feel very right.

3) Perhaps, if it is not too late, you can arrange for one transfer fee for the cameras that you are selling; directly from your seller to your buyers. That would cut out the double fee on 3 of the cameras.

I will attempt to pass through.




Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Bob Gundu]

It's all written out on their site:

https://support.red.com/forums/22816648-Transfer-of-Ownership

 

[Terry VerHaar]

One thing to consider is that this process makes it very difficult to transfer ownership of a stolen camera; which benefits all RED owners, IMO. And, yes, it does cost money to implement.

 

[Bradley Crane]

It's all written out on their site:

https://support.red.com/forums/22816648-Transfer-of-Ownership

I don't see anything there that justifies a $500 tag. (2500 in my case)

"giving you ultimate control of service and technical support" Just cause they used the word ultimate doesn't mean it should cost $500.

I was hoping to discover some new information as to why it costs so much to transfer. So far all I am getting is, that's just the way it is.


Thanks for the link though. I was not aware of that page.

 

[Bradley Crane]

One thing to consider is that this process makes it very difficult to transfer ownership of a stolen camera; which benefits all RED owners, IMO. And, yes, it does cost money to implement.

Well that is a plus. It still feels steep for me. I would opt out if I could. But I see what your saying.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

There is always Canon. :smiley:

Don't mean to be snide but it seems you do realize you are getting some value for your money, you just don't agree on the price tag. That tends to happen a lot in life. It is only my opinion but given the magnitude of your transaction, it seems like a reasonable value to have a certain amount of protection from RED.

I am curious, did you opt out of having the cameras inspected? And, if so, how much more would that have cost? I thought the whole transfer fee, including inspection/certification was $750. Do I have that wrong?

 

[Bob Gundu]

There is always Canon. :smiley:

Don't mean to be snide but it seems you do realize you are getting some value for your money, you just don't agree on the price tag. That tends to happen a lot in life. It is only my opinion but given the magnitude of your transaction, it seems like a reasonable value to have a certain amount of protection from RED.

I am curious, did you opt out of having the cameras inspected? And, if so, how much more would that have cost? I thought the whole transfer fee, including inspection/certification was $750. Do I have that wrong?

Cheaper now. $100 for evaluation, and $500 for transfer fee.

https://support.red.com/entries/28587466-What-is-the-cost-of-the-Transfer-of-Ownership-program-

 

[Zeb B]

Hey Bradley,
Think of it as $1 for transfer fee + $499 for using RU as a classified ad service for your business. I see that 99% of your very few posts are either FS in Marketplace or bitching about RED's policy. I wouldn't buy from you - bad attitude and an inability to see other folks point of view.

 

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Josh, I'd say Bradley had been quite polite, it just doesn't agree with RED's policy, that's all.

In fact, I somewhat agree with both of you.

It should NOT be free nor cheap

BUT

It should be the other way around, a $100 TRANSFER FEE and $500 INSPECTION which include the 90 DAYS warranty.

AND I think that TRANSFER ARMOR would have to be a $1000-$1500 option including the above costs, not optional like it is now.

Have you thought of those prices applied to a Scarlet body? $2100 for having the camera checked and 1 year wty? mmm

I think that now, with all the steady flow of incoming EPIC / SCARLET Sensors + Boards, RED could lower the extended warranty / repairs fees.

And I say this for RED as much as for us customers.

 

[Bradley Crane]

Hey Bradley,
Think of it as $1 for transfer fee + $499 for using RU as a classified ad service for your business. I see that 99% of your very few posts are either FS in Marketplace or bitching about RED's policy. I wouldn't buy from you - bad attitude and an inability to see other folks point of view.

Well thats a very mature reaction. Any mods wanna step in?

I came to the complaint section of a forum to complain. I was also searching for a better understanding and mostly just getting something off my chest. (I believe thats in the description). And yes I have posted items I have for sale in the classified section of the forum. I believe I was using that correctly as well.

I view reduser often. I have learned a lot from people willing to take the time to share information they don't have to share. I've gotten so much valuable information from Jeff Kilgroe I should probably write the man a check. I don't post very often because people with a lot more knowledge have almost always already covered anything I might be able to contribute. I do recommend reduser to people. I do view ads/click on links. If I understand correctly that's how reduser makes money.

You claim I have a bad additude and am unable to see other folks point of view. I would like to point out the constructive respectful conversation I was having with Terry VerHarr. Did you expect your method of conversing to be effective? Is that method effective with people face to face?

If I am using Reduser incorrectly or have been overtly dissrespectful, please mods, let me know

 

[Ben Graham]

I spent 0 dollars to change my alexa and 1500 for 3 epics that never went in for inspection. I agree we should not have to pay to change names. Pay for the inspection if you want it, but not just a name change. We can already add people under accounts to download firmware for free so that clearly doesn't cost money for red. And the post about treating it as classified fees on reduser is ignorant. Also don't shit on peoples sales threads, thats just being a dick.

 

[D Anderson]

It should be the other way around, a $100 TRANSFER FEE and $500 INSPECTION which include the 90 DAYS warranty.

.

That is important for RED to hear - perception is everything and just now the perception is it seems like hard cheese on REDs part to increase the cost of used ownership. This could fix that and make people feel they are getting something for that money.

Is RED ARMOR not transferable just now? I thought it was.

 

[George Butterfield]

I'm having a hard time understanding the need for a $500 transfer of ownership fee.

I recently purchased a chunk of film equipment which included 5 Epics. I plan on selling 3 of the epics and keeping 2 to join my original epic.

This means I will have to pay $500 x 5 to bring them into my name. Then immediately pay $500 x 3 to put them into someone else's name. That's $4,000. I understand you have overhead and administrative costs. I understand ownership transfer requires a human to punch some buttons. But $4,000? We're talking about changing a name on an account.

The justification I get from RED is that it allows the new owner to access firmware and the ability to service the camera. To me this translates to: because we can, pay it or else.

Help me understand

And just to be clear I love shooting with my epic. As an owner operator I've been very happy with RED. As a business owner I get frustrated.

If you already have a registered Epic-X you could download firmware from that account so you would not need to register any other cameras.

 

[Brent Carter]

I am pretty sure there are other threads where I have some replies, but quick summary:

Customer's choice:

Send in camera for evaluation. Eval fee is $100. If repairs need to be done in excess of $100, the eval fee is waived. Customer then does transfer of ownership for $500 and becomes owner of record and receives 90 day warranty. Or, could do Transfer RED ARMOR and get a full year of coverage.

OR

Not send in the camera. Without sending in, no eval fee. But also not eligible for 90 day warranty or Transfer Armor.

You cannot look at the $500 as "changing" a name. If is so you are properly owner of record, get communications related to that camera, get 90 days warranty with option of one year (should you choose to send in for eval and repairs, as needed), any upgrades that camera would be eligible for, authorize repairs, etc.

 

[Brian Merlen]

arri charges for firmware updates, they develop a whole new camera to add a shutter (instead of selling a motion mount for cheap), they charge a lot of money for a camera that shoots low res, so I don't see how effective a comparison this really is. i also agree that this service adds real value to all owners and perspective owners because it fights back against stolen cameras. that is a good thing for all of us. they previously reduced the prices, so i don't see it as being that bad a deal. there is a lot of service provided in knowing your camera purchase isn't stolen. a way around it might be call it a lease with a one dollar buy in and get the former RU to lease you his account too (assuming he is willing to do so?)

 

[Zeb B]

I am pretty sure there are other threads where I have some replies, but quick summary:

Customer's choice:

Send in camera for evaluation. Eval fee is $100. If repairs need to be done in excess of $100, the eval fee is waived. Customer then does transfer of ownership for $500 and becomes owner of record and receives 90 day warranty. Or, could do Transfer RED ARMOR and get a full year of coverage.

OR

Not send in the camera. Without sending in, no eval fee. But also not eligible for 90 day warranty or Transfer Armor.

You cannot look at the $500 as "changing" a name. If is so you are properly owner of record, get communications related to that camera, get 90 days warranty with option of one year (should you choose to send in for eval and repairs, as needed), any upgrades that camera would be eligible for, authorize repairs, etc.

Solid, sensible policy that serves the customer and helps protect RED owners everywhere - change nothing.