H20 Photo Pros, Mike Luzansky out of business

[Steve Williams 0]

Maybe we can get him put out of business.

 

Robert

 

Robert,

I'm sorry you had a bad experience as some others appear to have had. I can only speak for the service I've had from the company and it's been fine. You're treading on very thin ice though threatening a business. As far as I can tell your only posts here have been related to this issue. I can understand if you have an axe to grind, just don't think this is the place.

 

Steve

[Steve Douglas 16]

Steve,

Its great that you were able to help Mert out. The community has to take care of eachother.

steve

[mgokalp 1]

Steve,

Its great that you were able to help Mert out. The community has to take care of eachother.

steve

 

Steve, thnaks for your efforts but;

 

I don't know how you get the news but yes we were able to talk yesterday and they told us that its been send by USPS last week. With the tracking number they provided we looked through it and there is no package like that unfortunately. So we called again and he said he will be checking out the post office yesterday and calll back. Bu no call came to us from him. We are going to call again today.

 

For the delivery of last two bags we experienced similar kind of thing. They told us that apperently USPS does not send it to Turkey Istanbul and they don't know the firm that it has been sent to. But that is not true as the firm is an international elevator company and yes USPS works with Turkey.

 

So as a summary our problem is not solved my friend. There is still no tracking number and no delivery.

 

 

Mert

[Steve Williams 0]

So as a summary our problem is not solved my friend. There is still no tracking number and no delivery.

 

OK, sorry to hear that Mert, I can hear Robert laughing from here. I called H20 yesterday and when I asked Mike if you were taken care of he said he had talked to you and the package was on it's way. Still may be true I guess but the confidence level is spiraling around the drain. Let us know how it works out Mert.

 

Steve

[Drew 0]

Merhaba Mert.

 

If the package isn't out yet, I suggest you forgo USPS and use FEDEX or UPS. I've sent stuff from LA to Istanbul via Fedex's 25kg box for about $300. The good thing about Fedex is it's fast, and it deals with customs for you. And they will call you if the package is delayed vs USPS which does nothing if customs sits on it.

[robertsalisbury 0]

Robert,

I'm sorry you had a bad experience as some others appear to have had. I can only speak for the service I've had from the company and it's been fine. You're treading on very thin ice though threatening a business. As far as I can tell your only posts here have been related to this issue. I can understand if you have an axe to grind, just don't think this is the place.

 

Steve

Were would the place be then? If the guy won't reply to e-mails and phone calls so as to avoid this kind of public flogging.Maybe "putting out of business" is a little harsh but when I read this post it makes my blood boil again. If myself and Mert had know this before our purchase we and others would have probably shopped elsewhere. When I started my own post I didn't jump in with all guns blazing. I was hoping it may have given him a wake up call to pull his finger out, but didn't. As everybody knows here this stuff isn't cheep. Your paying them thousands of dollars up front without H20 even having the items in stock. In return I don't think it's too much to ask for a little honesty ,respect and half decent customer service, oh and the items you've actually ordered! I've built two businesses up from nothing in the past 18 years. I've never advertised once . All my work has come from word of mouth. My reputation is everything. I'm not saying i've never had an awaked customer but when i have i've bent over backwards to make sure there eventually satisfied. Things would never get as far as what they are on here. Word of mouth travels far,especially when your sat on a dive boat having a few beers on an evening. In such a small community reputation is everything. H20's is not good. He can't even be bothered to defend himself , that speaks volumes in its self! I and i'm sure Mert will never recommend this company to anyone.

Edited December 2, 2010 by robertsalisbury

[Steve Williams 0]

Were would the place be then?

 

I completely understand your position Robert. It's extremely frustrating to spend a bunch of money and not have the gear when it was promised, or worse not knowing when it would show up. Any business that doesn't understand this and fails to make their delivery and customer communication a top priority is not long for the world. It's also incumbent on us to let the world know when somebody doesn't fulfill their part of the bargain as you have done. It's the multiple public floggings I was uncomfortable with.

 

My alarm bells went off with the threatening tone of the post. One of the reasons I enjoy spending time on Wetpixel is the respect for each other that is fortunately common here and rare on the internet. I think it may be because we are all divers first and are uncommonly aware of the importance of watching out for each other. I like to think we intuitively understand that at some level we are all in this together.

 

My position is that the more competent suppliers we have the better. I'd like to see H20 learn, improve, and succeed. If they don't, it's on them.

 

As an aside, would you mind sharing some of your work? A quick look at your profile here doesn't have any website links posted. Are you the same Robert Salisbury who posted the nice shots from Komodo in March on Flickr?

 

Cheers,

Steve

Edited December 2, 2010 by Steve Williams

[Steve Douglas 16]

Well Steve, at least you tried. That's about all you can do.

Steve

[Steve Williams 0]

Well Steve, at least you tried.

 

I just hope Mert gets his batteries, I want to see the video from Turkey.

 

Cheers,

Steve

[mgokalp 1]

Merhaba Mert.

 

If the package isn't out yet, I suggest you forgo USPS and use FEDEX or UPS. I've sent stuff from LA to Istanbul via Fedex's 25kg box for about $300. The good thing about Fedex is it's fast, and it deals with customs for you. And they will call you if the package is delayed vs USPS which does nothing if customs sits on it.

 

Merhaba my friend,

 

They had problems sending with USPS and send the last items with UPS last time. But for the 3rd case he once again used USPS, I guess he forgot about the problems (I can understand it is cheaper). So we care calling daily to be able to get our equipment. They told us that they couldn't find the package yestarday and they are going to check it out again.

 

So this goes over and over and you kind of get in a mood not trusting anything anymore which is sad.

I totally regret working with them and I hope I can receive the light system and the batteries The system will be useles without these items.

 

 

Thanks to everybody responded.

 

 

mert

[mgokalp 1]

I just hope Mert gets his batteries, I want to see the video from Turkey.

 

Cheers,

Steve

 

many thanks for your attention Steve,

 

I am publishing a guide book for Eastern Mediterranean Sealife Steve. It has 380 marine species in it and I hope to publish it in english in the near future.

I hope it will represent these waters and be a good guidebook for a region lacking many sources.

 

 

Mert

[Steve Douglas 16]

Just noticed that H20's sidebar advertisement is no longer listed here. Have they been kicked off Wetpixel?

Steve

[adamhanlon 0]

Hi Steve,

 

Really Eric's department (and he is still away), but they have not been kicked off!

 

They are free to respond here if they choose.

 

Adam

[Damo 4]

I purchased all the extra bits from Backscatter last Monday. Ordered over the internet, shipped on Monday arrived Thursday in Australia. I went diving Saturday, all works great. They were very efficient and quick, and the ordering process on the web site works great. Oh and the free viewfinder is awesome!!

 

cheers to all

 

Robert

 

 

Could I also add that I have ordered stuff from Backscatter in the past- and my stuff arrived TWO days later- from montery bay to ireland- no hassle-no fuss-no messing.

 

If u advertise a good sales service- you back it up- and Backscatter have done this for me- every time.

Exellent to deal with.

[TomR1 5]

Reef Photo is my go to guys, followed by Backscatter. I have never had a problem with either of them but then i don't live in Oz.

[robertsalisbury 0]

Merhaba my friend,

 

They had problems sending with USPS and send the last items with UPS last time. But for the 3rd case he once again used USPS, I guess he forgot about the problems (I can understand it is cheaper). So we care calling daily to be able to get our equipment. They told us that they couldn't find the package yestarday and they are going to check it out again.

 

So this goes over and over and you kind of get in a mood not trusting anything anymore which is sad.

I totally regret working with them and I hope I can receive the light system and the batteries The system will be useles without these items.

 

 

Thanks to everybody responded.

 

 

mert

Here's a little hope for you Mert,

 

My final few items turned up today. 5 and a bit months after order. To be honest I never expected them. I had already purchased these bits elsewhere though. So now i've got spares. I'll keep my word and pay something towards the viewfinder but I think it would be reasonable to take of my expenses in making the kit work myself. There was still no communication though by H20 in letting me know of the shipment or about any intentions when they were notified about the messed up order.

 

Hang in there mate, your stuff will turn up!!

[robertsalisbury 0]

As an aside, would you mind sharing some of your work? A quick look at your profile here doesn't have any website links posted. Are you the same Robert Salisbury who posted the nice shots from Komodo in March on Flickr?

 

Cheers,

Steve

 

Yes Steve that is me. Doing a little digging about I see. I would quite happily post work. Thats why I put stuff on flicker, but getting comments and advice seems hard. I'm only new to underwater photography. I started of with an old canon D300 in an ikelite, and got bitten. I can't get out enough. The komodo trip was with a guy called Jeff Mullins. Top bloke and great trip. I'm hopping to get out with him again later on next year. Maybe I should put something in an other section. As far as this H20 topic goes, I think i've said my piece.

 

Cheers

 

Robert

[Steve Williams 0]

Off topic but if you'd like some top notch critique the Image improvement center forum is a great place to get some expert advise from the moderators. Don't forget to join the Wetpixel group on Flickr too. It's a great way for people to see your images and to see what others here are doing.

 

I was in Komodo in August and I was impressed with all the different subjects you found.

 

Cheers,

Steve

[mgokalp 1]

Here's a little hope for you Mert,

 

My final few items turned up today. 5 and a bit months after order. To be honest I never expected them. I had already purchased these bits elsewhere though. So now i've got spares. I'll keep my word and pay something towards the viewfinder but I think it would be reasonable to take of my expenses in making the kit work myself. There was still no communication though by H20 in letting me know of the shipment or about any intentions when they were notified about the messed up order.

 

Hang in there mate, your stuff will turn up!!

 

Honestly Robert,

 

Thats what I am hoping as I ı was suprised to receive those two previous packages as well. Hopefully they will come before 2011.

 

Mert

[Steve Douglas 16]

I regularly use Berger Brothers myself and have never had a single complaint. They have a very high rating on resellers.com

Steve

[Video-Joe 4]

Please note, effective immediately H20 PHOTO PROS UNDERWATER PHOTO AND VIDEO located at 17985 Sky Park Circle, Suite B, Irvine CA 92614, USA, no longer represents the Aquatica Digital brand of products. They are no longer an authorized Aquatica dealer. WE ADVISE CUSTOMERS NOT TO PURCHASE ANY AQUATICA PRODUCTS directly from them.

 

Aquatica Management Team

 

P.S. All AQUATICA products are guaranteed against defects in material or workmanship for (1) one full year from the date of purchase directly from the manufacture.

Edited December 10, 2010 by Video-Joe

[saoslund 0]

I purchased over $9000 worth of gear from H2OPhotoPros. After long delays and several mix-ups, the equipment finally arrived, but not before my Citibank card was charged over $30,000. Fortunately, the charge was not processed, and I received an immediate notification from the credit card company. In addition to the equipment, Mike Luzansky (H2OPP owner) promised me a Think Tank bag (value $300). I have never received this bag despite waiting more than 3 months, multiple emails and unreturned phone calls. I then filed a complaint with Nauticam USA (the housing was Nauticam), informing them of the issue. I got an immediate response back from Nauticam, and within minutes of this email, got an email from Mike Luzansky stating that a Think Tank bag was on it's way. Now, he has made such promises multiple times without delivering the goods. As someone has noted, his word does not appear to have much value.

 

I will say he was very helpful when I was trying to put together a housing outfit, and other than the Think Tank bag, everything arrived in excellent condition. He seems quite knowledgable about U/W photography. Unfortunately, the follow through is lacking.

 

There is a similar threat at Scuba Board http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwate...l-business.html

Edited December 24, 2010 by saoslund

[KirkD 7]

I know that they are no longer Aquatica dealers. I have no idea why they are not. I did review posts on Scuba Board and it does not appear that they have the best reputation. I have bought stuff from backscatter, reef photo, and B&H Photo. I have had excellent service from all of them. I personally have never tried to do any business with H20 Photo.

 

Kirk

[Steve Douglas 16]

Don't see them listed on the Gates website as dealers any more as well.

[BC_Diver 0]

I had a very similar experience with H2O Photo Pro's. I ordered a Fish Eye Fix housing package from them in August 2010 instead of Backscatter because they offered a "free Think Tank Backpack" with my purchase. I needed the housing quickly to make a trip to Port Hardy that I was about to take so I opted for the expedited shipping. Well they shipped it ground and I had to rent a camera for my trip.

 

Then when the camera finally arrived it was missing 3 small, yet crucial, parts and no backpack. Sound familiar?

 

To make a long story short, 5 months later after endless calls, emails and broken promises I still don't have the parts I paid for nor have I seen the free backpack. To top it off, since December I have received no responses from them at all. Their website, when it works, has now changed names and refers to White Shark Imaging.

 

I have given up all hope of ever receiving my parts and backpack! After talking to Backscatter for 10 minutes the parts arrived today! 2 days later!!! What a difference!

 

I have never gone out of my way to bad mouth anyone, but I'm so mad at Mike and his BS! BEWARE!!! Don't trust White Shark Imaging either!

 

-Chris