I have found the Bogen company one of the very top few companies of any kind for customer service that I have ever dealt with. I have written them several times to tell them this, having used a Bogen tripod for a number of years, and several other products as well. They typically send replacement parts the same day as they receive a fax. Last year I wrote them about a clamp to hold a camera that was supposed to be good for 33 pounds. I used a 600mm len on it weighing considerably less than that and the threaded screw became stripped. They immediately sent me a new clamp. No questions, no hassle. Bob Mumford Darnestown