This is topic I. C. E. ? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008860

---

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-01-2007, 01:58 PM:
 
I'm planning a mini cinema and got an excellent bid from I. C. E. of Miami on some older, refurbished equipment I had asked for. Has anyone ever dealt with I. C. E. and, if so, what is your opinion? The bid was half of what a Northwest supplier wants. Of course it did not include transportation or installation. Thanks for your input.
 

---

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-01-2007, 03:16 PM:
 
International Cinema Equipment Company ( I.C.E.C.O. ) is part of Magna Tech, located in Miami and Atlanta....they have been plugging around for 30 + years. I was in their shop last week and they where rebuilding 8 Cinemeccanicas and several Century units. They have enough hardware / stock to supply several hundred cinemas.
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-01-2007, 03:20 PM:
 
A lot of the difference in quotes could very well be in the shipping, because some companies use shipping as a profit center. When we bought seats in 2002, we ordered directly from the manufacturer and found out later they had marked up the shipping 100% (charged us double).

So shipping charges could be a negotiable item. Maybe offer to arrange your own shipping.
 

---

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-01-2007, 03:42 PM:
 
I have bought several small and large things from ICECO over the years. They were always fairly priced....most times.

Speaking of shipping charges...they SUCK at that! Waaaaay overpriced and too expensive!

Steve Krams and his staff have always treated me with courtesy even though (as some of you know) I can be an asshole and a PITA. (It's my calling in life)

As Mike mentioned, check into the TOTAL price of all bids including shipping and crating costs.
 

---

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 08-01-2007, 04:39 PM:
 
I bought eBay items from ICE a few times, and their descriptions were always accurate, shipping was fast and everything well protected. But that was only camera stuff, not heavy hardware like a Cinemeccanica...
 

---

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-01-2007, 05:44 PM:
 
I have had lots of good dealing with Steve over the years and always found them excellent in arranging shipping to suite my needs
 

---

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-02-2007, 01:22 PM:
 
Same experience here. ICECO and Steve Krams and his crew have outfitted two complete change-over houses for us. One with Century SAWs the other with JJs. Plus, for finding those odd parts for old equipment as ancient as Pearless Magnarc lamphouses, Dara will get back to you in short order and they almost always can find what you need. Their pricing has always been very fair and their refurbished equipment performs practically like its new.

I disagree a bit about the shipping --they ship via truck and they can pack even the largest, heaviest equipment well encased and in extra heavy-duty wooden crates so that all survives the trip unscathed -- bottom line, that expertise alone makes their shipping prices quite fair, IMHO.

But beyond that, if you wind up with a problem, their techs will get on the fone with you for as long as it takes. And if it is serious issue that you can't resolve (one of the SAWs shutters was dragging and oscillating), they repaired it without any hassles whatsoever -- this after we had the head for a year.

I give them two thumbs up. If it weren't for them, two non-different profit outfits, a museum in Massachusetts and our theatre in the park in Brooklyn would never have been able to afford installing film projection.
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-02-2007, 06:41 PM:
 
WOOF! If you're spending alot of money ONLY go in person and leave there with the gear you are purchasing. I have installed his supposedly rebuilt on one occasion and and have seen it on other occasions. Both at the University Of Illinois in which myself and a friend did the install and at The Unversity of Wisconsin at Madison. Absolutely awful quality... hammertone paint must be plentiful in Florida ! I have also been to both their old site and the site that was near the Police Museum and bought in person with out any problems but keep in mind that the gear I bought was as-is and left with me... I did the rebuilds. The last thing I bought there was a Century C mainframe only that I used to build my VV projector on.

At CLACO we bought his entire stock of DP-70 but we never received all the stuff that we were promised.

Mark @ CLACO
 

---

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-03-2007, 06:03 AM:
 
My experiences (and those of my customers) mirrors what Mark said. Louis
 

---

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 08-03-2007, 02:55 PM:
 
I think the firm in question was formerly located in NYC, on West 53rd Street, as F & B CECO. Before that it was Folmer & Babs or something. The old-timers behind the counter were helpful for even the smallest requests, and would produce such items as a Filmo handgrip and strap, winding key or filters from miscellaneous counter drawers, or have a boy fetch items from the storerooms above. When they closed their New Jersey warehouse, they sold off huge amounts of old and obsolescent equipment there at really low prices, "Make me an offer" and bargaining expected--they had to clear the entire premises.
I remember wooden barrels filled with B&H 16mm and 35mm viewfinder doors; cameras, lighting and grip equipment, etc. I bought a complete Eymo package, titling and gaffer equipment that I used in my teaching afterwards.
 

---

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 08-03-2007, 03:26 PM:
 
Gerard,
You're thinking of Florman & Babb. I remember them from the sixties but I don't think there's a connection to ICE.
I've bought several items form ICE over the years and I have no complaints. Never a problem with returns or exchanges. Both Steve and Dara have been great.
Bob
 

---

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-03-2007, 03:58 PM:
 
National Cine Equipment ( N.C.E )formerly of New York and later of Miami was absorbed from the estate of Irwin Harwood by ICECO. They where friendly competition to F&B Ceco / SOS. ICECO bought Magnatech of New York and moved that to Florida. Magnatech is now the parent corporation to ICECO.....reads like a Harry Potter book
 

---

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-03-2007, 09:38 PM:
 
Thanks guys:

Your input has been very important and helpful. I guess ICECO doesn't handle seats so I'm waiting on a proposal from Tankersly in Denver. Any opinions?
 

---

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-03-2007, 09:41 PM:
 
Wow! Where to start? Louis
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-04-2007, 12:50 AM:
 
I know Bob Tankersley. Very nice guy. He is still involved somewhat with the company but his son Steve is in charge now. I have heard that their used seats are (how to be kind?) not always the greatest.

We dealt with them on new seats in 1982 and were very satisfied. (Seating Concepts seats...they lasted for 20 years.)
 

---

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 08-04-2007, 11:09 AM:
 
We've bought over 1500 seats from Tankersley over the years. We're getting 80 Seating Concept rockers next week for a small venue. Always got good deals and good seats.

I've dealt with Bob for almost 20 years and he's fair and knowledgeable. But he's dealing with bone cancer right now and is hopefully recovering. I've been dealing with Allen Christiansen there who's been most helpful.
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-04-2007, 06:40 PM:
 
I'm sorry to hear about Bob's cancer for sure!! However if you contact me off line I could refer you to quite a list of what we and several other dealers call "Bob's One Time Only Customers". By "One Time Only" I mean they only got screwed once, they wisened up the next time around.
And the most famous quote from them is....

"Oh yea... That projector has been completely rebuilt"

Mark
 

---

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-04-2007, 09:28 PM:
 
Also, lamps, surround speakers (60 new woofers in one plex) sound racks, etc. Louis
 

---

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-04-2007, 11:27 PM:
 
Louis, your post confused me.

Are you saying: or ???
 

---

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-05-2007, 06:16 AM:
 
Phil, sorry, just extending Mark's list of "things sold in perfect condition" that had to be immediately rebuilt. Louis
 

---

Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 08-05-2007, 08:07 AM:
 
I have had a couple good experiences with Bob Tankersley. We bought a couple hundred used american desk seats about 7 years ago - very good condition. When the trucking company tried to charge me way more than Bob's shipping quote he took care of the problem. I also purchased a rebuilt intermittent for my Century C from Bob. Its been running perfectly for about 9 years.
Steve
 

---

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 08-05-2007, 09:46 AM:
 
I've bought a few things off their ebay auctions. I have never had any trouble with them or complaints but I've noticed as the auction gets down to the last hour someone jumps in and starts repeatedly bidding against them selves raising the price so its no longer a good deal. Im sure it is their second account ( makes no sense other wise ) making sure they are not losing money but it kills the excitement of the auction everyone likes a good deal once in a while hence the thrill of an auction. That kills the spirit.
 

---

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-05-2007, 10:56 AM:
 
Alan...welcome to E-Bay. I just bought two projectors in which 3 - 4 parts I salvaged for service paid for the deal. If you are a seller you will see who is "watching" your bidsite for future reference to bid. On my auctions I see no bids or low bids until the last hour, and if there are many "watchers", then there is a frenzy E-bay is a love - hate deal.
ICECO should have many cheap deals for the next few months since they are moving the bulk of good stock to near to the Atlanta airport and ebaying the one only or orphan stock. The cost of doing business in Miami, with insurance and taxes, is a six figure charge to the bottom line versus Atlanta.
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-05-2007, 09:01 PM:
 

quote: Richard Fowler

---

The cost of doing business in Miami, with insurance and taxes, is a six figure charge to the bottom line versus Atlanta.

---

So Richard... I guess that means you are well past the six figure mark every year .

Ya know... he coulda moved it all to Mississippi too... they'd have probably paid him to come there.

Mark
 

---

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-06-2007, 09:19 AM:
 
Mark, that is between my partner, accountant and insurance agent Our insurance and tax costs have gone up 400% in the last five years. I have a freind who is moving to Northern Florida and will commute to Miami for the 12 - 15 days a month of work and will be ahead even if we have $5.00 gas.
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-06-2007, 11:06 AM:
 
Ha? Spending that much time commuting back and forth will certainly lower his overall quality of life . Thats a long drive lots of wear and tear on the vehicle! He would probably spend more time getting through airports...

Update: One of our techs is in Colorado right now repairing a CP-500 and penthouse that came from Tankersley.... I was told by our tech that it was supposed to have worked at their shop .

Mark
 

---

Posted by Larry Shaw (Member # 388) on 08-14-2007, 06:31 PM:
 
Robert Tankersley passed away on Sunday, August 12th.

Larry
 

---

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 08-14-2007, 10:54 PM:
 
That is sad news. I recently purchased a used ISCO HD Scope attachment from him that was in very good condition.
 

---

Posted by Steven J Hart (Member # 2340) on 08-14-2007, 11:16 PM:
 
I'm very sad to hear about Bob's passing. He was avery helpful and freindly man to deal with.
 

---

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-15-2007, 02:01 PM:
 
I too am saddened by his passing. His company gave me one of the best quotes I received. May God give his family comfort. I hope the company continues to flourish.
 

---

Posted by Jim Bedford (Member # 4) on 08-17-2007, 09:43 AM:
 
Allen Christiansen, who's been the acting manager at Tankersley Enterprises since Bob's illness, has taken over the business. We just concluded a seat purchase from him and the seats we got were in excellent shape at a very fair price. They were better than described.

Over the last 25 years we've purchased used seats, concession equipment, lenses, rewinds, projector heads, splicers, etc. from Tankersley and our satisfaction level approaches 100%. We'll continue to use Tankersley as long as we continue to get the equipment and service we need.
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-17-2007, 05:53 PM:
 
I thought Bob's son might take over the biz.... Whats happened to him?

Mark
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-20-2007, 12:53 AM:
 
Steve Tankersley is now running the company. They were not at the Rocky Mountain convention this year -- first time they've missed it to my knowledge -- but there was a good reason: Bob Tankersley passed away last Sunday night. Here is a short obit I found on the net:

Robert K. Tankersley
We are deeply saddened but also comforted to announce the passing of Robert K. (Bob) Tankersley of Tankersley Enterprises, Denver, Colorado. He suffered from Leukemia and passed on Sunday, August 12th, 2007. Bob was well known throughout the motion picture industry, being the founder of Theatre Equipment Association (now ICTA) and SHOWTEST, as well as former President of Rocky Mountain Picture Assn. and other local associations. Bob's passions included driving his race cars, skiing, and the theatre business. Bob was also honored by the Who's Who Society. Bob is survived by his wife Susan; four children, Rod, Sandi, Steve, and Tony; several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral Service Friday, August 17th, 10:00 AM, Horan & McConaty Mortuary, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO, 80227. Interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery with Military Honors and a reception after at the mortuary. The family would appreciate any memorial donations to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5353 W. Dartmouth Ave. #400, Denver, CO 80227.
 

---

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-20-2007, 01:50 PM:
 
I received a very good quote from Allen on booth equipment and seats.
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-20-2007, 11:21 PM:
 

quote: Jim Bedford

---

Allen Christiansen, who's been the acting manager at Tankersley Enterprises since Bob's illness, has taken over the business.

---