My only hope is that Paypal refunds my money. I'm so surprised this happened.
Stay away from this store!
If the seller never responds to PayPal, they will definitely refund your money after the designated wait period. If the seller does respond, that's where things can get a bit tricky, but if they can't provide a tracking number, they won't have a leg to stand on. I suspect the seller will never respond and you'll get your money back.
Markins must not get many sales in the USA. Otherwise, I would think the folks in Korea would get lots of complaints - clearly I'm not the only one who never received a response to an inquiry and I doubt you're the only one who placed an order and never received anything.
But if Markins wants to sell their product in North America, they need to do something about their distributor situation here. Perhaps if you contact them again and let them know you run a camera forum that's kind of popular it will get their attention and they'll do something about the situation.
I love their tripod heads (I own 3 - a Q10, Q20i, and the traveler; I also have the gimbal head adapter for the Q20), but when it becomes difficult to buy a product, most people will look elsewhere.
I just got an update from Markins (Korea). This was after 4 days they told me they would contact Markins North America and sold the issue:
Dear Fred Miranda,
I contacted them and instructed them to solve your problem.
After that, I asked about the results, but there was no answer yet.
We are also frustrated because we didn't have a good conversation with them.
If you wait a little longer, we will definitely solve it.
We apologize again for any inconvenience.
Thank you.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just got an update from Markins (Korea). This was after 4 days they told me they would contact Markins North America and sold the issue:
Dear Fred Miranda,
I contacted them and instructed them to solve your problem.
After that, I asked about the results, but there was no answer yet.
We are also frustrated because we didn't have a good conversation with them.
If you wait a little longer, we will definitely solve it.
We apologize again for any inconvenience.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Markins
Interested in making FMCorp the US Markins distributor? Looks like an opening is coming up...
Fred Miranda wrote:
Update: Paypal refunded my payment today. Still no answer to my numerous emails to Markins North America. Very disappointing!
Hi Fred,
As I mentioned, I believe Markins North America no longer exists as the Markins Distributor. They just never took down their website. I believe that it was replaced as the distributor by Markins US, but I have no idea why Markins US is not responding.
As I mentioned, I believe Markins North America no longer exists as the Markins Distributor. They just never took down their website. I believe that it was replaced as the distributor by Markins US, but I have no idea why Markins US is not responding.
Rich
Hi Rich,
Markins North America or US are under the same distributor. They have two websites. One is no longer being updated and the other is taking orders but not shipping the goods. My advise is to stay away from Markins. I only got my money back because PayPal forced them.
So sorry to read this. I have had a Markins ball head for 15 years, and love it. I tried a BH55 when people were liking it so much, but it wasn’t any better in use, and it weighed a ton compared to the Markins.
Over the years when I have thought about adding another one, and have looked on their website (not sure which one I’ve tried as it has been years since I’ve looked) all of their models say “out of stock”, and I remember wondering if anyone was minding the store.
This is a shame. Glad PayPal returned your money Fred.
ross attix wrote:
So sorry to read this. I have had a Markins ball head for 15 years, and love it. I tried a BH55 when people were liking it so much, but it wasn’t any better in use, and it weighed a ton compared to the Markins.
Over the years when I have thought about adding another one, and have looked on their website (not sure which one I’ve tried as it has been years since I’ve looked) all of their models say “out of stock”, and I remember wondering if anyone was minding the store.
This is a shame. Glad PayPal returned your money Fred....Show more →
I own many products from Markins and I think they offer quality and unique photography gear. I was surprised this happened and just wanted to alert folks about it since I have recommended Markins produces in the past. I was trying to purchase a new L-bracket for the Sony A7R IV.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I own many products from Markins and I think they offer quality and unique photography gear. I was surprised this happened and just wanted to alert folks about it since I have recommended Markins produces in the past. I was trying to purchase a new L-bracket for the Sony A7R IV.
Yeah, the quality of their gear is excellent. I apologize for not posting my prior experience with them being non-responsive last summer. I think I posted something about it on DPReview at the time. But buying direct from Korea worked out great. They shipped via Korea Post (which I believe is their equivalent to USPS) and I had my item in a few days. I had previously ordered from the Markins America site back in 2014 without any issues, but clearly someone has dropped the ball since then.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Update: Paypal refunded my payment today. Still no answer to my numerous emails to Markins North America. Very disappointing!
Good news on the refund, and the heads up. . Thanks Fred !!
My Markins head is my favorite, have no idea what model it is, as it doesn't say on head, only has serial number on bottom, but never drooped even with the big guns on it. Had it for years and still looks new
New to the forum, not sure where to ask this question. I have a Q10 ballhead, used very little. Tried to set it up today and found the ball very loose, but unable to turn the progressive friction control knob either direction. Loosened the screw and no better. What can I do? Do you know anyone who repairs these ballheads? Thanks so much.
Incidentally, B and H referred me to: https://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/contact.php
where I've received no reply to emails and the phone number is continuously busy. Just hoping for some advise or referral for repair.
dtkorab wrote:
Incidentally, B and H referred me to: https://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/contact.php
where I've received no reply to emails and the phone number is continuously busy. Just hoping for some advise or referral for repair.
Markins America was located in Vancouver, British Columbia for several years but has been defunct for the last couple of years at least. Always great service from them when they were operating. Who knows why that website is still up (if you dig deeper into it you will see everything is "out of stock") and I was told a couple of years ago the number was out of service. I am surprised at B&H not being aware of this.
If you go to the main Markins website (markins.com) and click on the American Flag you will get the link to their current representative (located in San Fransisco I believe). It is Markins North America at markins.us. Even getting answers out of this site is far from satisfactory.
IMHO, if you want to purchase product or need support and actually want to receive the product or an answer to your support question, contact Markins directly (markins.com). The US distributor seems to have gone out to lunch and not returned. I'm rather surprised that Markins in Korea hasn't done something to address this yet as I would think they would be seeing pretty much nothing for orders and perhaps wonder what's going on. Couple that with multiple people contacting them for assistance because the US distributor isn't doing their job and I would expect them to either replace the US distributor or just have people go to them from now on.
greynolds wrote:
IMHO, if you want to purchase product or need support and actually want to receive the product or an answer to your support question, contact Markins directly (markins.com). The US distributor seems to have gone out to lunch and not returned. I'm rather surprised that Markins in Korea hasn't done something to address this yet as I would think they would be seeing pretty much nothing for orders and perhaps wonder what's going on. Couple that with multiple people contacting them for assistance because the US distributor isn't doing their job and I would expect them to either replace the US distributor or just have people go to them from now on....Show more →
After EB-1 gave me this address
Markins Camera Ltd.
19676 71A Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 3A4
(604) 534-0685
As I reported - I called several times but the number could not be connected. A reverse search using the number said there was insufficient information for that phone number
As a former customer of the Markins parent company, I agree that it's surprising they don't seem to have done anything to deal with the problem
davewolfs wrote:
Very strange indeed. I’ve dealt with these guys in the past on several occasions and never had an issue. Must be something with COVID.
It has nothing to do with COVID as this has been going on for at least a year. As I posted earlier in this thread, I contacted markins.us around this time last summer regarding inventory on the traveler head and never received a response. I contacted markins.com who attempted to contact the US distributor without any success. I ended up ordering direct from markins.com and received my order quickly.
In less than 24 hours I received this response from [email protected]:
Hello.
Thank you very much for using our product.
The knob should be turned clockwise using rubber gloves or a rubber strap wrench.
It must be turned clockwise.
Strong power may be required.
If it cannot be resolved, you should send it to the head office in Korea.
US distributors are closed.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Markins
Incidentally I used adjustable locking pliers and was able to fix the problem.
