Really Right Stuff

I’m feeling rather frustrated with Really Right Stuff. In the past I’ve recommended their exceptionally well made (albeit pricey) products to quite a few other photographers (though I’m not a fan of their ballheads as beautifully made as they are, because tightening the knobs causes a slight shift in framing).

On June 6 I ordered an “L” bracket for my Canon EOS 1D Mark III. The confirmation email I received was terse and referred to a flash arm (Subject: http://FLASHARM/RRS- Order Acknowledgement). The email referred to “attached details”, of which there were none (I even checked the email source code—nothing).

I had made it very clear to Carla via an email exchange earlier that day that I needed that bracket, and she responded with “Please just place the order online or by phone and we'll ship ASAP”. I complied with an online order, which resulted in the aforementioned email confirmation. Since then, no follow-up, no response to my email query, nothing.

Today is June 22, 16 days later, and I have not received a single order status update via email or phone. After finally remembering my password I was able to login and check order status, confusing in itself unless one reads the fine print about clicking on the “Order #”:

Mostly useless order status—
one must click on the order #, which is not distinguished visually in any way

I still don’t have my L-bracket, and I have no idea when I will get it. At the Really Right Stuff web site, I can add the L-bracket to my cart and proceed to checkout (without completing) . There is no indication that it is back-ordered, so I assume it’s available. Shooting verticals will continue to be a hassle with the 1D Mark III—an L-bracket is far easier and faster than tilting a ballhead over 90°, and my preferred ballhead, the Burzynski, tilts just 45°, so an L-bracket is mandatory for vertical compositions.

Really Right Stuff changed their web site the day I ordered, but since my order is in their system, and I supplied a valid credit card, I’m at a loss except to suspect a computer snafu. I’ll have to try to contact them on the phone it seems.