davesit Loc: Media, PA

I have many tripods. Gitzo, Leofoto, RRS are some of the brands. But my go-to "big" tripod is a Feisol CT-3471, which I have had for a few years. It has a load capacity of 55 lbs and handled my Nikon D5 body with a Nikkor 400mm/2.8D lens on a Wimberley WH-200 gimbal with ease. The tripod is rock solid even under a heavy setup (probably 18-19 lbs) such as mine.

Feisol is an American company that manufactures their tripods in North Carolina. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those people who trashes Chinese products. I've been to China and visited some of their high-tech factories which could match the best factories in the U.S. Just remember how we used to bash Japanese products... Innovation is how America can stay ahead the China.

I haven't used the tripod since the start of the Covid19 crisis. A couple of weeks ago, I took it out to mount a RRS fast release plate on it (per Steve Perry's advice) and noticed that when I opened one of the legs, it went past the first preset angle. Although it is still fully useable as long as I don't open that leg too hard, I decided to contact Feisol's customer service to see if there is something that I could do myself to repair it.

I exchanged a few emails with Michael and was informed by him that it's best for me to send the tripod back to Feisol so they could open the joint up and see what the problem was. I did so a week ago and was awaiting to see what the repair cost would be.

Yesterday, FedEx delivered the tripod back to me, fully repaired at no cost to me, not even a shipping charge. I contacted Michael to thank him for the fantastic customer service and offered to write Feisol's owner to commend him. Well, Michael turned out to be one of the owners!

I learned from my Marketing 101 class in college that it's easy to get a new customer, but it's the repeat customers that keep a company viable. Feisol's excellent customer service is an excellent example of that. They have a lifetime customer in me.

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Glad to read a “feel good” story. Thanks.

davesit Loc: Media, PA

After I wrote the message, I realized that Feisol tripods are made in Taiwan, albeit it does not diminish my view of their quality.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Made in Taiwan....but maintaining strong product support in the USA....I'm with that.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I'm a woodworker as well as a photographer. Several of my machines were made in Taiwan. Never a problem with any of them, high quality, well engineered, solid and dependable.

davesit Loc: Media, PA

Same here, also own some woodworking machines made in Taiwan. Excellent quality. Taiwan has been a technology and manufacturing hub for decades. Most people don't know that. Foxconn, which makes Apples products in China, is actually a Taiwanese company.

Red6

Taiwan is an industrial powerhouse and makes many high tech products. Many of the electronic components and printed circuit boards found in our electronics we use everyday are made in Taiwan.

davesit Loc: Media, PA

Acer Computing comes to mind. I read somewhere that Taiwan is in the forefront in carbon fiber research.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Totally agree - but yes, Feisol is Taiwanese not American. . .

I've had my CT3472 since it was first made available in 2007, purchased directly from Feiosl in Taiwan. Over time, I had one small issue - one of the legs would not stay tight at the pivot. I contacted Becky in costomer service at Feisol. She asked for a couple of photos, and a week later I received a small package - with the necessary hardware to rebuild the hinge, including Loctite - no charge.At that point the tripod was about 8 yrs old. She just sent the parts. I love a company that stands behind its products like this.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My first tripod was a Quick Set. Owned it for over 35 years without an issue. Then one joint on one leg malfunctioned. I contacted customer service, did not even know they were still in business. They send me a prepaid shipping label, I sent it in and they replaced the whole leg and sent it back to me.
While your story is nice, it is just another example of calling the companies customer service department and explaining your needs. Most customer service departments will work with you to resolve your issue.
Had an old Airequipt slide projector that was jamming when a slide was inserted. I call Airequipt and they told me to send it in, they replaced the entire top of the slide projector that fixed the jamming.
Yes, it pays to contact customer service and maintaining a NICE attitude while talking to them.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

So nice to read testimony such as yours........makes me happy all over.

Bananapuppy Loc: Sunny Tucson, AZ

My son was made in Taiwan when I was stationed there! Bp

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Very funny!

Has the warranty run out yet?

davesit Loc: Media, PA

LOL. Can you still get parts for him?

Bananapuppy Loc: Sunny Tucson, AZ

Long ago. Now I pay for everything! Bp