Focus Enhancements

Tucker Wright · June 9th, 2008, 01:32 PM

Does anyone actually work at this company? I can't get anyone to answer the phone when I call. I've tried several different extensions...Product Availability, Pricing, Pre Sale support, etc... No answer on any of them. Must be a very small company if no one can answer the telephone.

Does anyone know how to get a human being on the phone at this company?

Tim Polster · June 9th, 2008, 01:41 PM

I gave up recently as well.

I was considering the FS-100 to pair with an HPX-500, but if they can not even answer phones or e-mails, then I do not want their product to be my main recording method.

Tucker Wright · June 9th, 2008, 10:39 PM

It amazes me how little emphasis companies place on the basic aspects of customer service. Lost opportunity is costly!

Wade Hanchey · June 11th, 2008, 04:13 PM

Just reading this frightens me as I was considering an FS-5.

Andy Mace · June 12th, 2008, 08:55 PM

I've never tried to call but they've always responded to my email's withing 12 hours. Most of the time I prefer email so that's good with me!

Harry Bromley-Davenport · June 14th, 2008, 10:16 PM

Did you manage to get hold of them eventually?

I'm concerned bout your posting because I own one of these units and I don't like the idea of the company going belly up.

Harry

Mike Meyerson · June 15th, 2008, 11:05 AM

look into nNovia...support actually answers the phones and promptly returns emails.

Boyd Ostroff · June 15th, 2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Bromley-Davenport

I'm concerned bout your posting because I own one of these units and I don't like the idea of the company going belly up.

It's quite a leap to assume a company might go "belly up" just because they use an automated phone answering system. I don't know anything about Focus Enhancements, but let's not start needless rumors. If you're concerned, why not call or e-mail them yourself?

Harry Bromley-Davenport · June 15th, 2008, 10:08 PM

Boyd,

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask a question on this forum as to whether Focus is in trouble because they are stated to be unresponsive to a user's contact.

I own one of their products and I have found them a little flaky in the past, so I don't think it is rumor mongering to query their financial stability. After all, a great many of us who actually own one of their products have an investment in the future of this outfit.

I can understand that you personally might not be concerned because, as I read your post, you do NOT have this kind of professional interest in the behavior or the future of the firm. Nor do you, by your own admission, have any fore-knowledge of the company.

Perhaps your defense of the company, and your accusation of us as being rumor mongers, is misplaced in that you pretty much state that you don't have any experience with these people ... unlike the rest of us.

Respectfully yours,

Harry Bromley-Davenport. (Focus FC-C owner, cost appx $2000)

Pete Bauer · June 15th, 2008, 10:32 PM

Sorry, Harry, your "belly up" comment was speculative and it is unreasonable. DVinfo isn't a site for derogatory speculation, especially when it may be libelous. Even our "Area 51" forum is kept lighthearted.

All that's been established so far is that one person says they've had problems reaching the company by phone, one difficulty by both phone and email, and one says no problem by email. If you are having customer service problems with the company, sort it out with them. When you have facts, report 'em. If you don't get facts or aren't willing as a customer and interested party to get them, let it go.

Chris Hurd · June 15th, 2008, 10:38 PM

Actually Boyd is not "defending" Focus (and neither am I), but the statement "I don't like the idea of the company going belly up" is indeed clearly the start of a needless rumor, and he was right to point it out as such, and I'm going to insist that everyone here heeds his advice. As Pete says above, such unfounded speculation is worse than useless (libelous, in fact), and I sure won't tolerate it here.

This is DV Info Net, not DV Rumor Net, and this site doesn't work like the rest of the internet when it comes to this sort of thing. We work on facts, not rumors. This thread is genuinely concerning, but it has validity only up to the point before it degrades into a "sky is falling" mentality by assuming the worst. Focus is in the middle of rolling out several new products so I don't think it's logical or fair to voice such an unfounded concern, especially in that way -- "I don't like the idea of the company going belly up" reads just as if it's already happened, and not only doesn't anybody know that to be true, it's also highly unlikely.

So let's not panic, please. Since there's no way to get any real *facts* on a Sunday night, this thread will be closed for the time being, until someone (anyone, but hopefully more than one person) contacts me via email after getting in touch (or at least making the effort) with Focus tomorrow during normal west coast business hours by phone or email for their definitive statement which addresses the legitimate concerns that have been put forth here.

Once we have that, then I'll reopen this thread. If we don't get a response from them, then I have other ways to find out what we need to know, but the one thing we're not going to do is leap to any wild assumptions, as that's for "typical" internet message boards to do, not this one. Thanks in advance -- to be continued,

Chris Hurd · June 23rd, 2008, 02:31 PM

As of today, I've heard from at least three people who have received immediate feedback from Focus regarding support queries via email. I think we can safely conclude that they're still open for business.

John Sirb · June 25th, 2008, 05:29 AM

I wanted to add to the positive comments about Focus. I recently sent a unit back for repair and the email response was a few hours later ( I also was taking into account that they are 4 hrs. behind).
Yesterday I called to check on the status of the unit (this was their tech support number) and after the initial 'please leave you name and number", the phone rolled over to an extension and a nice young lady told me the unit shipped the other day and was coming today!!

Harry Bromley-Davenport · July 2nd, 2008, 01:55 AM

They are indeed "home" and are currently honoring a warranty repair on my FS-C which is one year and 3 months old.

By the way, the warranty is 2 years.

Despite a couple of ups and downs and occasional worries about service, they have always ultimately come through for me personally and behaved honorably.

Email is the preferred manner of communication with them.

Harry.

June 9th, 2008, 01:32 PM	#1
Tucker Wright Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 52	Focus Enhancements - Nobody Home! Does anyone actually work at this company? I can't get anyone to answer the phone when I call. I've tried several different extensions...Product Availability, Pricing, Pre Sale support, etc... No answer on any of them. Must be a very small company if no one can answer the telephone. Does anyone know how to get a human being on the phone at this company?

June 15th, 2008, 11:05 AM	#7
Mike Meyerson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: mahopac, NY Posts: 293	look into nNovia...support actually answers the phones and promptly returns emails. __________________ www.AbsoluteMotionVideo.com

June 15th, 2008, 10:08 PM	#9
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	Boyd, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask a question on this forum as to whether Focus is in trouble because they are stated to be unresponsive to a user's contact. I own one of their products and I have found them a little flaky in the past, so I don't think it is rumor mongering to query their financial stability. After all, a great many of us who actually own one of their products have an investment in the future of this outfit. I can understand that you personally might not be concerned because, as I read your post, you do NOT have this kind of professional interest in the behavior or the future of the firm. Nor do you, by your own admission, have any fore-knowledge of the company. Perhaps your defense of the company, and your accusation of us as being rumor mongers, is misplaced in that you pretty much state that you don't have any experience with these people ... unlike the rest of us. Respectfully yours, Harry Bromley-Davenport. (Focus FC-C owner, cost appx $2000) Last edited by Harry Bromley-Davenport; June 15th, 2008 at 10:10 PM. Reason: Typo

June 15th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#10
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Sorry, Harry, your "belly up" comment was speculative and it is unreasonable. DVinfo isn't a site for derogatory speculation, especially when it may be libelous. Even our "Area 51" forum is kept lighthearted. All that's been established so far is that one person says they've had problems reaching the company by phone, one difficulty by both phone and email, and one says no problem by email. If you are having customer service problems with the company, sort it out with them. When you have facts, report 'em. If you don't get facts or aren't willing as a customer and interested party to get them, let it go. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

June 15th, 2008, 10:38 PM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Actually Boyd is not "defending" Focus (and neither am I), but the statement "I don't like the idea of the company going belly up" is indeed clearly the start of a needless rumor, and he was right to point it out as such, and I'm going to insist that everyone here heeds his advice. As Pete says above, such unfounded speculation is worse than useless (libelous, in fact), and I sure won't tolerate it here. This is DV Info Net, not DV Rumor Net, and this site doesn't work like the rest of the internet when it comes to this sort of thing. We work on facts, not rumors. This thread is genuinely concerning, but it has validity only up to the point before it degrades into a "sky is falling" mentality by assuming the worst. Focus is in the middle of rolling out several new products so I don't think it's logical or fair to voice such an unfounded concern, especially in that way -- "I don't like the idea of the company going belly up" reads just as if it's already happened, and not only doesn't anybody know that to be true, it's also highly unlikely. So let's not panic, please. Since there's no way to get any real facts on a Sunday night, this thread will be closed for the time being, until someone (anyone, but hopefully more than one person) contacts me via email after getting in touch (or at least making the effort) with Focus tomorrow during normal west coast business hours by phone or email for their definitive statement which addresses the legitimate concerns that have been put forth here. Once we have that, then I'll reopen this thread. If we don't get a response from them, then I have other ways to find out what we need to know, but the one thing we're not going to do is leap to any wild assumptions, as that's for "typical" internet message boards to do, not this one. Thanks in advance -- to be continued, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 9th, 2008, 01:41 PM	#2
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	I gave up recently as well. I was considering the FS-100 to pair with an HPX-500, but if they can not even answer phones or e-mails, then I do not want their product to be my main recording method.

June 9th, 2008, 10:39 PM	#3
Tucker Wright Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 52	It amazes me how little emphasis companies place on the basic aspects of customer service. Lost opportunity is costly!

June 11th, 2008, 04:13 PM	#4
Wade Hanchey Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 117	Just reading this frightens me as I was considering an FS-5.

June 12th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#5
Andy Mace Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 39	I've never tried to call but they've always responded to my email's withing 12 hours. Most of the time I prefer email so that's good with me!

June 14th, 2008, 10:16 PM	#6
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	Did you manage to get hold of them eventually? I'm concerned bout your posting because I own one of these units and I don't like the idea of the company going belly up. Harry

June 23rd, 2008, 02:31 PM	#12
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	As of today, I've heard from at least three people who have received immediate feedback from Focus regarding support queries via email. I think we can safely conclude that they're still open for business. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 25th, 2008, 05:29 AM	#13
John Sirb Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Amherst, OH Posts: 134	I wanted to add to the positive comments about Focus. I recently sent a unit back for repair and the email response was a few hours later ( I also was taking into account that they are 4 hrs. behind). Yesterday I called to check on the status of the unit (this was their tech support number) and after the initial 'please leave you name and number", the phone rolled over to an extension and a nice young lady told me the unit shipped the other day and was coming today!! __________________ John Sirb Lake Breeze Video

July 2nd, 2008, 01:55 AM	#14
Harry Bromley-Davenport Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: LA CA Posts: 317	They are indeed "home" and are currently honoring a warranty repair on my FS-C which is one year and 3 months old. By the way, the warranty is 2 years. Despite a couple of ups and downs and occasional worries about service, they have always ultimately come through for me personally and behaved honorably. Email is the preferred manner of communication with them. Harry.