Pilates tape problem
Lorna P.
This spring I bought the set, used the 20min workout tape for less than
3 months 3x/wk, then had to drop the program while caring for my Mother
as she recovered from surgery.
Tonight I got it out, popped it in the VCR, and found the tape is jammed
-- won't rewind, play, nothing. And it's not the VCR which is almost new
and working fine. Without discussing the quality of the tapes used, this
was probably only run, what, 50 times and now won't work -- and it's
marketed as something to do several times a week.
I called Guthy-Renker at the number in the package but was told
(repeatedly) by their rep that they have an excellent long-standing
reputation, but I'm stuck and they won't replace the tape. Why? it's
over 30 days, and worse, I bought from what appears to be an authorized
vendor but it wasn't their phone-in program so they don't care one whit.
What's this about customer satisfaction and an excellent reputation
when they won't stand behind their product.
I'd like a replacement tape but sure don't feel like shelling out for
another set when I feel they provided defective goods in the first
place. I'd like to get back into shape again and did enjoy it (and saw
results) in the short time I was able to use the tape, but now I'm just
one unhappy camper. Oh yeah, I would have bought on DVD but it wasn't
available at the time.
Suggestions, anyone?
Lorna
Steve Freides
VCR as it is to be something wrong with the tape - in fact, I think it's
a lot more likely that your VCR needs cleaning. I wouldn't accuse these
folks of selling bad tapes without proof that this is the case.
It's a shame, and I'm sorry you no longer have your tapes - consider
getting a DVD next time as those are less prone to this sort of thing.
Spammers_Should_Be_Shot
"Lorna P." <lor...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3F7CCE6...@hotmail.com...
I'd say this is a classic example of "B.U.C." (beyond users comprehesion)
;- >
Seriously, the tape works ~50 times? And now it doesn't and you say the
tape is defective? If it was defective it wouldn't have played the first
time. A vcr has lots of moving parts and alignment components. It's not
all that hard to mess things up. However, without more information it's
hard to know exactly what's wrong. Does the vcr play other tapes fine?
What happens when you insert the Pilates tape? Does it just spit it right
back out? Does it play but you get no picture/sound? Have you tried the
tape in a different vcr? Etc.
A lot of retailers have pretty strict return policies on "software" (i.e.
CDs, Videos, Computer Software, etc). Most have a "no returns once opened"
policy. This is done to minimize the number of people buying something,
taking it home and copying it, then returning it. A 30 day return policy is
about the most liberal you'll find, and as you stated, you're past that.
Defects in electronics (the majority of the time) are evident from day one.
If things run fine for months, and then a problem occurs, it's most likely
due to user error or lack of proper preventive maitenance (with vcrs this
can be especially important if you rent a lot of tapes, or allow the tapes
to become dusty). It's in everyone's best interest to make electronics
"disposible" and thus the use of inexpensive parts. There's a lot of
plastic parts in vcrs (and of course video tapes are plastic). Vibrations,
temperature swings and humidity changes can all cause problems for
electronics.
If you can answer some of the above questions maybe we can help you
fix/find/narrow down the problem. Other than that, I suggest just buying a
replacement tape (maybe that one tape is sold seperately? maybe check on
ebay for it?)
HTH,
Michael
Lorna P.
I was rather offended by your BUC comment, it's uncalled for. I'm not
exactly a technical neophyte; I taught my hubby to fix his brakes and
don't mind tucking into a computer. But you went on to ask some valid
questions, so if you are interested in helping, I'm interested in your help.
Yes, the tape worked fine for about 50 iterations, but then 'rested',
not lying flat, for several months. No, it wasn't DOA but some products
work for a while before something fails, and I'm sure you can think of
examples. I sure can, and while I have seen electrical components
malfunction when I really believed operator error and abuse was to
blame, other times things just go; it's that percentage thing. Remember
the 90-day rule of thumb for electronics? I have had perhaps 2 or 3
tapes do the same thing, but who cares when it's one used for taping TV
shows -- and that happened with our old VCR, never with this one.
There is no evidence of snowy picture that might indicate a head problem
and the machine doesn't get heavy use -- we rent DVDs for what are
obvious reasons. FWIW, I cleaned the heads. No funny clunking or other
noises on other tapes. But it's really only been used for the Pilates
tape this last while.
What happens? This VCR goes into play mode on tape insertion, the
confirming PLAY displays with some very brief snow (usual on that tape,
and some others) then the machine stops, with the STOP message. It plays
other tapes fine, both commercially produced and recorded from cable
(including a tape of 9/11, which was scary). I don't have another VCR to
test the tape in now but given the performance of other tapes in the
machine, with no problems, I don't suspect the machine. It's a good one,
not a cheapie. No sound, no picture, no nothin' -- just a short bit of
snow and then it stops. And yes, I do use the cases on tapes to keep out
the dust, use a central vac, maintain our furnace and filters, use the
A/C to keep the place cool and less humid in summer, and the furnace to
keep it warm in the winter. Don't think I'm really guilty of much
neglect here -- and if I was, logically you'd think other tapes should
be affected, right?
Haven't seen that tape sold separately which brings up my reluctance to
spend another chunk to get a fresh set. And frankly the attitude of 'you
didn't buy it directly from us, get lost' offended me. Would you enjoy
that from the manufacturer of your car, camera, phone, or computer?
Do you see anything wrong with this picture?
Lorna
p.s. I think spammers should be forced to eat a desktop system, with
large monitors of course