Something really weird happened tonight.
Everybody probably knows by now that I’m crazy about cameras, digital picture frames, computers, and pretty much anything in the electronics area. I’d rather look at electronics than clothing. I’d rather wander around in the computers and cameras than look at shoes.
I’d been looking at Pentax cameras, so I went to their website and found their forum. Someone had asked a question I actually knew the answer to, so I signed up, joined the forum, and answered the guy’s question. I thought maybe I’d found a place where I could talk “electronics” with other geeky people. Um, no.
Bam. Some other guy mocked me, and complained about the link in my answer – which was exactly what the original poster was looking for – and the next thing I knew, I got an email telling me I was, and I quote, “banned for life” from the Pentax forum.
This does not ruin my life or really affect me in any real way, but it shocked me so much I actually burst into tears, sitting here at my computer. I mean, what happened? What kind of people are working for Pentax? What kind of company is Pentax? I guess I know the answer to both questions now.
I am no longer interested in a Pentax camera.
Update: I just got an email from Adam, the Pentax forum administrator, informing me that he’s going to give me “the benefit of the doubt” and let me back into the forum. Any comments I make will have to be moderated before they post, of course, because that’s how we deal with people like me. Etc.
Pentax, why would I want to participate in a forum with people who obviously don’t believe me when I tell them I’m just a geek who wanted to talk electronics, and not a spammer? All I did on your forum was answer some guy’s question. Why would I want to hang out with people who treated a newbie like scum and assumed the worst before they even knew me?
I don’t, that’s what. I prefer to hang out with nice people.
Thanks anyway, Pentax, but, you know, I tend to judge a business by the people it chooses to represent it.
I will never be interested in a Pentax camera, ever again.
Thats weird. Are you sure that the forum is run by Pentax itself? I’ve been to the Pentaxforums.com, but its completely independent from Pentax. As far as my knowledge goes, Adam Oest and Pentax(c) have no professional relation to each other. So as far as that goes, don’t go by some forum idiots attitude – I’ve met plenty of Nikon and Canon people online that also have bad ‘tudes. 😉
I have a Pentax, and post a lot on Stevesforums.com and have never heard a single complaint about them! I really think they are the best bang for your buck, particularly because Canons and Nikons can be seriously overpriced when it comes to entry level dSLRs. Be careful when considering other opinions online though – try to be objective and really look at your own needs. I have found Steves Cameras (and forum) to be one of the only places online where ALL cameras are considered and the reviews are extremely unbiased. Hard to find that with camera reviews these days! Good luck and send me a message if you have any questions!
Thats weird. Are you sure that the forum is run by Pentax itself? I’ve been to the Pentaxforums.com, but its completely independent from Pentax. As far as my knowledge goes, Adam Oest and Pentax(c) have no professional relation to each other. So as far as that goes, don’t go by some forum idiots attitude – I’ve met plenty of Nikon and Canon people online that also have bad ‘tudes. 😉
I have a Pentax, and post a lot on Stevesforums.com and have never heard a single complaint about them! I really think they are the best bang for your buck, particularly because Canons and Nikons can be seriously overpriced when it comes to entry level dSLRs. Be careful when considering other opinions online though – try to be objective and really look at your own needs. I have found Steves Cameras (and forum) to be one of the only places online where ALL cameras are considered and the reviews are extremely unbiased. Hard to find that with camera reviews these days! Good luck and send me a message if you have any questions!
Like many people these days, I get most of my purchasing recommendations from other bloggers who’ve “been there.” Based on your experience and on a couple of other bloggers’ experience, with Pentax, I would never buy anything from them! I judge a company by its customer service, and by the people it hires to represent them, and Pentax dropped the ball in both areas. I’m headed over to the Nikon website now; wish me luck. If they’re smart, they’ve got people checking the web for stuff just like this, and they’re making sure they’re not in the same category as Pentax. Thanks for confirming what I’d almost decided! Booooo, Pentax!
Like many people these days, I get most of my purchasing recommendations from other bloggers who’ve “been there.” Based on your experience and on a couple of other bloggers’ experience, with Pentax, I would never buy anything from them! I judge a company by its customer service, and by the people it hires to represent them, and Pentax dropped the ball in both areas. I’m headed over to the Nikon website now; wish me luck. If they’re smart, they’ve got people checking the web for stuff just like this, and they’re making sure they’re not in the same category as Pentax. Thanks for confirming what I’d almost decided! Booooo, Pentax!
My Olympus Stylus is a grat point and shoot but if you want a really great camera and have $1200 to spare, go for the Nikon D90. I just got one this summer and love it.
My Olympus Stylus is a grat point and shoot but if you want a really great camera and have $1200 to spare, go for the Nikon D90. I just got one this summer and love it.
One of our properties is being leased by a camera store right now, and scuttlebutt says that their customers are not happy with Pentax, either. Their cameras are usually nice ones, but the customer service is among the worst in the country. Your experience seems to give credit to that rumor. Bear in mind, however, that a forum is often maintained by people who are not exactly in charge of the company in any way – businesses often appoint anyone who knows anything about computers to do that. These people who treated you so unprofessionally might well be the janitor and the mailroom guy. Whatever position they might hold in the company, however, they’re certainly not adding to its good name. Pentax, if they’re paying attention at all, which they’re probably not, should be more careful who they put in charge of their online presence.
One of our properties is being leased by a camera store right now, and scuttlebutt says that their customers are not happy with Pentax, either. Their cameras are usually nice ones, but the customer service is among the worst in the country. Your experience seems to give credit to that rumor. Bear in mind, however, that a forum is often maintained by people who are not exactly in charge of the company in any way – businesses often appoint anyone who knows anything about computers to do that. These people who treated you so unprofessionally might well be the janitor and the mailroom guy. Whatever position they might hold in the company, however, they’re certainly not adding to its good name. Pentax, if they’re paying attention at all, which they’re probably not, should be more careful who they put in charge of their online presence.
What an awful way to treat somebody! You’re the nicest person I know! I checked out the Pentax forum and saw what they said. No Pentax products for us, either. What a bunch of nasty people! Chad is going to tell all the people at work how they treated you; his company is in the market for new cameras for the crews and they were actually considering Pentax, but not now.
What an awful way to treat somebody! You’re the nicest person I know! I checked out the Pentax forum and saw what they said. No Pentax products for us, either. What a bunch of nasty people! Chad is going to tell all the people at work how they treated you; his company is in the market for new cameras for the crews and they were actually considering Pentax, but not now.
Do you think this has anything to do with why I can no longer access your blog on my computer (have to use my husband’s)? Maybe the blog is being tagged as spam on mine? Suggestions, anyone???
Do you think this has anything to do with why I can no longer access your blog on my computer (have to use my husband’s)? Maybe the blog is being tagged as spam on mine? Suggestions, anyone???
Wow, that’s harsh. Something like that would turn me off of a brand as well. Amazing how one decision by one person can affect the reputation of an entire company.
Wow, that’s harsh. Something like that would turn me off of a brand as well. Amazing how one decision by one person can affect the reputation of an entire company.
Maybe it was some momentary glitch in the system and a big mistake and they’ll give you a new camera! I hope.
Maybe it was some momentary glitch in the system and a big mistake and they’ll give you a new camera! I hope.
If you’re looking for a new camera, check out the Canon line. I’ll have my Rebel XSi with me in Vegas, and you’re welcome to play with it if you like.
I’m off to kick some Pentax ass now. Jerks.
If you’re looking for a new camera, check out the Canon line. I’ll have my Rebel XSi with me in Vegas, and you’re welcome to play with it if you like.
I’m off to kick some Pentax ass now. Jerks.