I got mine and as soon as I saw the size of the box and lifted it up I knew I was dissapointed.
When I opened it I knew in two seconds it's going back it is too heavy too large and a screwy design just to save an inch and a half in diameter and a tripod that is easier to slide into a backpack which I do not use or have anyway.
Well what a suprise and my last kickstarter project all sales are final no returns. see screenshot
I will dispute it with VISA since a reputable company like PD whom I own about fifteen of their straps apparently does not accept returns on their goofy tripod.
I am not a huge Tony Northrup fan but he and his wife voted thumbs down also it is a gimmick IMO
I had trepidations about buying it and almost cancelled my pledge a few times but I figured if I did not like it Peak Design would at least let me return it especially since they will be selling for $120.00 more or I can sell on Ebay which it is already listed.
Actually if you do not already use a RRS or similar dovetail base on your camera and do not have a Gitzo traveler or two its not a bad setup. But I will not use a PD square plate (which always come loose on my 70-200GM) everytime I want to use it or screw one in to my lens feet on my larger lenses either it is too much of a hassle.
The head design is querky and the locking mechanism is scary it is too easy to bump the button and lose your camera and lens and according to others I never even extended it i flat disliked it the minute I saw it and felt the weight of it. I wished I would have weighed it but I would bet it does not weigh 2.75lbs. But from the videos the center column looks very flimsy if you raise it more than 6" and from what I have read very easy to flip something and the center column falls out of the tripod. I think they need to go back tot he drawing board and have an arca swiss plate on top like most people use and the head design there is no fix for other than a complete redesign IMO
The Gitzo Traveler 1 or 2 is a far superior tripod but almost twice the price and I have three and so it simply is not a fit for me.
Added 12/18/19 I listed it on Ebay and it sold for what I paid for it $479 in 15 min and already sold it to a person on her via PM so if anyone gets one and does not like it there are buyers for it.
While all of our products are guaranteed for life, we do not offer refunds, returns, or exchanges on items received as Kickstarter rewards."
I get the buyers remorse, but the fact that Kickstarter purchases aren't refund eligible isn't hidden. It's fine that you don't like it but that isn't grounds for a chargeback or spooky "beware" thread.
I saw the tripod displayed at Photoplus in NYC on October 24. I wasn't all that impressed and I was glad that I didn't bite on the Kickstarter. Also, would not purchase now after its release. I'll keep my RRS, Gitzo and Leofoto table top tripods. If I need something as light and/or about as light I will purchase a Leofoto tripod.
Kickstarter is a gamble. I would never kickstart such a product because I need real reviews and real product support. Not hype reviews like all kickstarters are.
It is not exactly fair to get a lower kickstarter price and then get a full refund because you didn't like it. Your options are to sell it.
Kickstarter is not a store. Period. It's crowdfunding. While generally low risk on established companies, there's no guarantee you even GET a product when you invest in a Kickstarter. You likely won't be able to do a charge back, and frankly, I'm not even sure doing so is legal. And even if it is, it's not moral....you got the tripod. It functions how they said. It's just that you don't like it and didn't actually read what you agreed to when you backed the Kickstarter. You charge back, it's effectively theft.
Note to self here so I don't forget: never sell anything on FM buy and sell to trstahly. he might not like it and then I'll be in deep doo doo.
But more seriously, we should give trstahly the benefit of the doubt. And since he decided to go public with this, perhaps he'll continue the conversation and lay out the rationalization for disputing this with Visa. I'm not getting it, but maybe there's more to the story or some reasonable path to a dispute everyone's missing? trstahly, care to share your thinking, especially given some of the above seemingly well reasoned comments?
Jman13 wrote:
Kickstarter is not a store. Period. It's crowdfunding. While generally low risk on established companies, there's no guarantee you even GET a product when you invest in a Kickstarter. You likely won't be able to do a charge back, and frankly, I'm not even sure doing so is legal. And even if it is, it's not moral....you got the tripod. It functions how they said. It's just that you don't like it and didn't actually read what you agreed to when you backed the Kickstarter. You charge back, it's effectively theft.
I am not so sure it is as black and white as that these days.
Yes, conceptually in the beginning Kickstarter was a platform for people with an idea but not the funds. It could be used to raise money to build their idea into reality. The risks of failure is acknowledged by buyers, and the risk accepted.
In this case however, Kickstarter is being used by an existing, operating, well funded, business as a marketing tool to launch a new product.
So if the company can change the purpose and rules of the platform from raising angel type money to a sales and marketing tool, it may also be reasonable for a customer to expect the rules to change to ensure some level of customer satisfaction.
I am looking forward to receiving mine. I was fully aware of the “screwy” or different design. That was advertised as part of the kickstarter campaign, and it’s also apparent in the review you mentioned (Northrup). The dimensions and weight were also clearly stated on the kickstarter campaign. For carrying in the side pocket of a PD backpack, or to carry on your side or across your back with one of the PD straps attached, it should be very mobile, which for me at least is the main point of this tripod.
I am looking forward to receiving mine. I was fully aware of the “screwy” or different design. That was advertised as part of the kickstarter campaign, and it’s also apparent in the review you mentioned (Northrup). The dimensions and weight were also clearly stated on the kickstarter campaign. For carrying in the side pocket of a PD backpack, or to carry on your side or across your back with one of the PD straps attached, it should be very mobile, which for me at least is the main point of this tripod.
1bwana1 wrote:
I am not so sure it is as black and white as that these days.
Yes, conceptually in the beginning Kickstarter was a platform for people with an idea but not the funds. It could be used to raise money to build their idea into reality. The risks of failure is acknowledged by buyers, and the risk accepted.
In this case however, Kickstarter is being used by an existing, operating, well funded, business as a marketing tool to launch a new product.
So if the company can change the purpose and rules of the platform from raising angel type money to a sales and marketing tool, it may also be reasonable for a customer to expect the rules to change to ensure some level of customer satisfaction.
Even if the company is established, a new product could still fail...particularly when they're taking such drastic risks in a product that usually has a pretty standard design. This is a way of test marketing a concept before doing even a limited roll out, securing the financing to manufacture the first batch of products, and ensuring that at least the first batch of products will be profitable. In turn the "financier" gets a slight discount and gets priority in the shipment of a new release.
Most of peak designs bags started from a kickstarter campaign....but now that the concept has been proven out, they brought the MKII of all these bags out directly.
I personally don't think committing to a hyped up, but unproven, product is worth the risk so I never sign up for kickstarters.
But the terms of the agreement are stated plainly so if I did sign up for one and wasn't happy with the product, then I'd own the mistake on my part and wouldn't feel entitled to a refund.
OP just sell it in the used market. I'm sure there are people who want one and are willing to pay what you paid for it since it technically hasn't hit the market yet.
Until end of year Gitzo tripod are tiny bit cheaper on calumet.de then normal (-15%).
I'm now thorn between a GT1545/gt1555 Gitzo (490/560 euro without ballhead)
And this Peak design tripod.
I already have a Gitzo, but the pin, retracted the wrong side from the tripod to ballhead, making it impossible to install a new ballhead. It's also not arcaswiss compatible.
But i want a working tripod for all occassion, so any user experience with the PD would be nice.
trstahly wrote:
I got mine and as soon as I saw the size of the box and lifted it up I knew I was dissapointed.
When I opened it I knew in two seconds it's going back it is too heavy too large and a screwy design just to save an inch and a half in diameter and a tripod that is easier to slide into a backpack which I do not use or have anyway.
Well what a suprise and my last kickstarter project all sales are final no returns. see screenshot
I will dispute it with VISA since a reputable company like PD whom I own about fifteen of their straps apparently does not accept returns on their goofy tripod.
I am not a huge Tony Northrup fan but he and his wife voted thumbs down also it is a gimmick IMO...Show more →
It's a Kickstarter, so you should know the T&C.
The specs have been published on the internet so the size and weight are well known.
I'm sure someone will buy it from you. PD and Visa are not responsible for your buyer's remorse.
