Some of the greatest photographic prose being written today comes from the pens, pencils and typewriters of readers complaining about equipment or service form dealers, importers or manufacturers. The heights of furious indignation and rage reveal hidden literary talents among many of you. Surely these blazing epistles must cause the recipient to wince, quake and race to rectify whatever complaint, legitimate, illegitimate or gray area being steamingly brought to his attention. Don't believe it. While the writing of these letters must act as a great catharsis for the writer, it generally has the effect of turning even a reasonable dealer, importer, or manufacturer into a stubborn mule who shoves your letter to the very bottom of the heap where it may stay, perhaps forever.
That's why you write two letters- one to act as an ointment for your rage, the other a nice, polite one that you actually send.
Posted by: JMS | November 15, 2007 at 11:09 AM
The angry ones are written usually after months have passed and there has been no response to the nice ones. What about the dealers, importers and manufacturers who are stubourn mules from the beginning and care not once they have your money?
Interesting that you wrote this in 1969; the situation in 2007 seems no different to me. The only catharsis for me would have been a working camera.
Posted by: Michelle Knight | November 22, 2007 at 07:48 AM