Alexander Trent feedback please ??

tman

tman

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Anyone had any dealings with a company called Alexander Trent in Wakefield
any help much appreciated :)
 
See this thread, this contains some information on them and another company that trades under the same details, some people did get there stuff but it appears there are issues with getting stuff, if you do give them a go make sure you use a credit card not a debit card :thumbs:

Matt
 
I'm really glad I checked here first!

I've been looking for a wide angle lens for my canon 1100D to take on holiday with me, as we go away in July. In all honestly I would love to have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens in a flash but at £633 quid on amazon at the moment that is going to have to wait a while. I googled getting this at other places and of course Alexander Trent came up. I always look at reviews before I order from somewhere new. So glad I did now, thought it was too good to be true at £477. Thanks for the heads up guys :)
 
LizB90 said:
I'm really glad I checked here first!

I've been looking for a wide angle lens for my canon 1100D to take on holiday with me, as we go away in July. In all honestly I would love to have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens in a flash but at £633 quid on amazon at the moment that is going to have to wait a while. I googled getting this at other places and of course Alexander Trent came up. I always look at reviews before I order from somewhere new. So glad I did now, thought it was too good to be true at £477. Thanks for the heads up guys :)
Click to expand...

Liz, check out Kerso or DigitalRev both advertisers on TP and both with brilliant reputations and very competitive on price :D

Matt
MWHCVT
 
Thanks for the heads up think I'm going to go for the sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 for now and hopefully upgrade in the future. I shall still check out those places when I make my purchase :)
 
I ordered and paid £587+£10 postage for a Canon650d body from Alexander trent last Wednesday and saw this thread on Friday.Needless to say,I was slightly concerned.Happily,the camera arrived to day.I checked the camera out,registered it with Canon.co.uk and all seem in order.So I got good,fast service from them.
 
Happy Snappy said:
I ordered and paid £587+£10 postage for a Canon650d body from Alexander trent last Wednesday and saw this thread on Friday.Needless to say,I was slightly concerned.Happily,the camera arrived to day.I checked the camera out,registered it with Canon.co.uk and all seem in order.So I got good,fast service from them.
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A bit disconcerting that your first post on this forum concerns giving good feedback.
 
go into google and type in their address:

crimson waterfront house new brunswick street wakefield wf1 5qw

and see what comes up...!

also a previous poster correctly points out that the phone number given is NOT for wakefield.

it definately seems to be a "you order from us, we order from somewhere else, we get your order and then send it on to you" as in their T&C's they quote they promise to deliver your goods within 14 days. when i questioned this, they said i'd definately get my order quicker, but didn't comment on when i would get it............

damn it - was almost going to order from there!
 
I live near wakefield - the address is just a mailbox service run out of a rented office space in a backstreet at the scruffier end of town. On the upside, it's near Thornes Wharfe, so it should be convenient for bargepoles, should you need one!
 
This is just my experience but may be helpful to you all out there. Just bought an EOS 5D Mk3 from Alexander Trent, Item was as specified with UK warranty and Firmware version 1.1.2
From ordering to arrival was 7 days. If you want it next day try Warehouse Express, If you want to save yourself £402, Try these guys. Ringing them just gets an answerphone asking you to email, but emails are answered promptly.
 
TheHat said:
This is just my experience but may be helpful to you all out there. Just bought an EOS 5D Mk3 from Alexander Trent, Item was as specified with UK warranty and Firmware version 1.1.2
From ordering to arrival was 7 days. If you want it next day try Warehouse Express, If you want to save yourself £402, Try these guys. Ringing them just gets an answerphone asking you to email, but emails are answered promptly.
Click to expand...

Again, another first poster providing feedback.
 
TheHat said:
I was trying to be helpfull, I wont bother next time.
Click to expand...

That kind of attitude is not going to go down well here, you have to appreciated that it looks somewhat dubious to say the least when someone that is very new to the forum makes a positive review on a company that looks less and legitimate on the face of things :shrug:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
TheHat said:
I was trying to be helpfull, I wont bother next time.
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Sorry fella, it's like Matthew above said. I simply thought it was strange for a new joiner to post feedback for a dubious reseller.

Then again da wiseguy is also new and his first post was also to comment on the business (although a neutral post, so didn't seem quite so suspicious).
 
Hmmm.... for the new members posting positive comments about a company that would appear to have 'issues', it is commonplace for such companies to trawl google for threads on forums and other feedback sites where negative comments are posted. When they find them, they register using random names and post counter positive comments.

So, if you are genuine people wanting to be part of a great photographic community, you will perhaps understand and forgive the somewhat cynical reception you have received on this matter as ultimately, it is actually protecting you in the long run. We do want you to hang around and be part of the forum despite the 'welcome'

If on the otherhand you are simply stooge accounts for the company, then you are now aware that such tactics are not fallen for. Of course, you can, if you wish, have a proper right to reply by contacting the forum admin directly and asking - they are generally very obliging about such things.



As you were folks ;)
 
As I said, I was trying to be helpful. There does seem a lot of unqualified comments about this company and I would agree that they do look a bit strange. Before I purchased from them, I checked round on the web and saw a lot of negative comments from people who have not tried them and a few positive ones from those who say that they have. I am not connected with them and was just giving my experience of using
them. The reason that I posted was that their was a thread asking if anybody had used them, and I just have. I have used wex for quite a few years and the service from them is excellent but this time I was tempted by the savings.
 
TheHat said:
As I said, I was trying to be helpful. There does seem a lot of unqualified comments about this company and I would agree that they do look a bit strange. Before I purchased from them, I checked round on the web and saw a lot of negative comments from people who have not tried them and a few positive ones from those who say that they have. I am not connected with them and was just giving my experience of using
them. The reason that I posted was that their was a thread asking if anybody had used them, and I just have. I have used wex for quite a few years and the service from them is excellent but this time I was tempted by the savings.
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Is that green in my eye :cuckoo:
 
Sorry I came back so late re my previous post.As I said,I saw this thread after I ordered and paid for the camera from Alexander Trent.I was worried but relieved when the camera turned up and all was well.It is natural to be suspicious when there are messages of different openions about any dealers.Indeed,I think this is the best way to root out any cowboy dealers.I also believe in giving credit where it's due.Beside feeling relief after receiving the camera,I thought I should share my experience as it is.
I am not a serious photographer.Photography is but one of my many other hobbies.The finer details in the technical side of photography do not interest me.That is why I had not joined any photography forums.However,the only way I can post and share my experience here is to join and that's what I did.I posted my message and thought no more of it.However,now having look at the whole picture,my one off, positive message could and did seem suspicious.Matholwch,I can understand your sentiment completely.If I put myself in your shoes,I will feel exactly the same.My last post is my first and only experience in dealing with Alexander Trend.I am sorry if my post has in any way resulted in any bad feeling among any members of the forum.
 
Happy Snappy said:
Sorry I came back so late re my previous post.As I said,I saw this thread after I ordered and paid for the camera from Alexander Trent.I was worried but relieved when the camera turned up and all was well.It is natural to be suspicious when there are messages of different openions about any dealers.Indeed,I think this is the best way to root out any cowboy dealers.I also believe in giving credit where it's due.Beside feeling relief after receiving the camera,I thought I should share my experience as it is.
I am not a serious photographer.Photography is but one of my many other hobbies.The finer details in the technical side of photography do not interest me.That is why I had not joined any photography forums.However,the only way I can post and share my experience here is to join and that's what I did.I posted my message and thought no more of it.However,now having look at the whole picture,my one off, positive message could and did seem suspicious.Matholwch,I can understand your sentiment completely.If I put myself in your shoes,I will feel exactly the same.My last post is my first and only experience in dealing with Alexander Trend.I am sorry if my post has in any way resulted in any bad feeling among any members of the forum.
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OK Alexander!!!!!!!!
 
LizB90 said:
I'm really glad I checked here first!

I've been looking for a wide angle lens for my canon 1100D to take on holiday with me, as we go away in July. In all honestly I would love to have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens in a flash but at £633 quid on amazon at the moment that is going to have to wait a while. I googled getting this at other places and of course Alexander Trent came up. I always look at reviews before I order from somewhere new. So glad I did now, thought it was too good to be true at £477. Thanks for the heads up guys :)
Click to expand...

Just had a look on Amazon and it's dropped a few quid to £619...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00065GZL2/...

probably not enough to tempt you yet but a drop all the same... worth keeping an eye on though. Amazon's price changes like the weather - oh wait, we can't say that anymore as our weather doesn't change these days it just rains... well you know what I mean!

:)
 
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Just a heads up, this lens has been well below £600 recently. If you aren't in a rush sit back and wait!
 
Hi All, i am unfortunatley a new member and considering the topic of AlexanderTrent.com there seems to be some intersting conversations.
I Was going to give this company a go, but decided to do some research and digging as you know what they say " if its too good to be true it usually is "
i did get burned for £66 some years ago with a dubious web site, so now i am extra vigilant. here is what i have found out from freely available information on the web.

Middleton Banks and Alexander Trent do seem to be the same website the area code for AT is Burton upon Trent.
I asked for their VAT registration number, all i got was evasive "it'll be on your receipt"

interestingly Middleton Banks and Alexander Trent are not listed as companies on the companieshouse.gov.uk web site nor can i find any info of them being based at the address they give at wakefield,but more interesting is the Administrator and Technical contact of the website is Kamkorda.com,
Who is registered on the Company House website, and guess what they are in Burton upon Trent.
rather than splat everything over the page i suggest you pop over to http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk//index.shtml and search Kamkorda Ltd.
its really interesting.

then you all can make of it what you wish.
 
Hi everyone. I am also a new member from today, but I thought you should know my experiences with this supplier, as I have just used them. I was recently in the market for a new broadcast quality video camera. I knew what camera I wanted as Panasonic offered an extended three year maintenance with full business support.
As you do, I did my research for the best prices and although Alexandra Trent wasn’t the cheapest it was still £600 under the retail price. Because of this, I emailed and asked them why it was at this cost and got assurances off them it was a UK model. They replied to me that their overheads and margins are kept low to enable them to give the best price.

The camera arrived in around seven days and all seemed well, until I tried to register the camera with Panasonic to gain the extra 3 years warranty and their broadcast business support. Panasonic would not accept the serial number and said it is not a UK-EU camera and went on to say it is a grey import and should have not been sold in the UK (I have this in writing).

I went back to Alexandra Trent and told them I wanted to return it. I asked for details as I was well within the seven days under the distant selling regulations. Needless to say after several requests over a number of weeks I am yet to be given the details to return it from them.
They did email me and assure me again it was guaranteed for one year with them and was a UK model and again Panasonic told me it is meant to be sold in the Far East.

I requested details on the guarantee and two things jumped out at me, it is void if anyone else uses it or - it’s not covered for normal wear and tear, even in the first year. So really there is no guarantee.

The whole thing is going through my credit card company and trading standards.

I want to point out that, so far as the camera is concerned, except for having no CE mark or being able to register it and obviously a grey import, it does seem like the real deal and works well, but the problems will start when it doesn’t work well.

If I had known all this beforehand, I would have paid more to go to a reputable dealer. It’s a case I’m afraid that I have been caught with “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is”

Stephen
 
Hello. I thought I'd add my two-penneth worth on my actual recent experience with Alexander Trent and an order for a Canon 5D mkIII. I note what's said about "new members".

Firstly, I was really sceptical about this company: it smacks of being a "phoenix company" that trades until it's forced out of business, then the same people start again with a different name. So I also did a little research. (Alas, Dominic and Stephen's comments hadn't been posted at that point).

The phone number shown on the website is an image rather than text (which stops search engines from finding it). It's also interesting to note although they list a Wakefield address, it's a Stoke on Trent phone number.

As Stephen notes, if you call the number, it doesn't ring: it goes straight to voicemail. The message doesn't state the company name and simply instructs you to use the "contact" page on their website. Clearly, you're not going to get to talk to anyone if you have a problem.

Googling the phone number shows a couple of other companies that no-longer trade.

It's not filling me with confidence so far. So I emailed them and asked some direct questions: is this in stock in the UK? If I order today, when would you actually ship? I assume this is a grey import, so what kind of charger does it come with? Can I collect it?

I got a reply within minutes, written in good english ...confirming they were UK models, in stock in the UK, with a UK charger and manual and would be dispatched in 3-5 days. They have no facilities for collection.
Feeling brave (and reliant on the combined backup of the "distance selling" rules and credit card support), I placed an order a few minutes later. (Wednesday 11th)

The transaction seems normal, but I note that the payment goes to a different company name: "WWW.KAMKORDA.CO.UK" ...that's not too unusual, but is a small red flag. On Tuesday I email them and ask when the order will be shipped. They reply within 5 minutes and confirm it'll be shipped on Wednesday, to arrive on Thursday. On Thursday morning, I email and they promptly provided a UPS tracking number. I'm finally starting to feel hopeful!

UPS delivered (19th). Their online tracking shows it was shipped from Derby (not Wakefield)... so there are no charges or import duty to deal with. The UPS paperwork shows it came from "Repton International Limited" ...at the same WF1 5QW address as Alexander Trent. The invoice neither shows a VAT breakdown, nor a company VAT number.

The camera appears fine and does have a UK power cord. As expected, it's plainly a grey import though. Looking at the box, it's subtle, but this box wasn't meant for Europe (where it would say: "Lens not included / Objectif non fourni / Objektiv nicht mitgeliefert / Obiettivo non incluso / Objetivo no incluido". English is still the first language, but the following 3 are all a script I'm not familiar with, but assume is Chinese or similar). The pack of manuals has been opened, leaving only the English manual. The body has both the CE and FCC stamps.

So in summary: it's a grey import, as expected at this price. It takes a while to arrive (presumably because they have to wait for it to arrive from Hong Kong(?) before they can re-ship. You can't believe all they say in their emails and you'll never get hold of them on the phone. If you looked for them in the real world, you'd be looking in the wrong city!
 
This topic has sparked a healthy debate, I registered my EOS 5d without any problem on the canon website and the box was sealed when it arrived. I was hoping that somebody who has dealt with them and had a problem would post as it puts the whole issue into perspective. Having read the post from EddieW, I must admit that I have not checked the exact wording on the package but it all looked o.k. I will amend my previouse post of "Give them a Try" to "Use with Caution".
 
tman said:
Anyone had any dealings with a company called Alexander Trent in Wakefield
any help much appreciated :)
Click to expand...

I bought my canon D600 from Alexander trent, it took 3 days to arrive, but i couldn't fault them so far and i'm very happy with the camera
 
Terryxc said:
I bought my canon D600 from Alexander trent, it took 3 days to arrive, but i couldn't fault them so far and i'm very happy with the camera
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So happy that you felt the compunction to trawl the net at 4 in the morning looking for forums to join to spread the word? :lol:
 
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EddieW said:
Hello. I thought I'd add my two-penneth worth on my actual recent experience with Alexander Trent and an order for a Canon 5D mkIII. I note what's said about "new members".

Firstly, I was really sceptical about this company: it smacks of being a "phoenix company" that trades until it's forced out of business, then the same people start again with a different name. So I also did a little research. (Alas, Dominic and Stephen's comments hadn't been posted at that point).

The phone number shown on the website is an image rather than text (which stops search engines from finding it). It's also interesting to note although they list a Wakefield address, it's a Stoke on Trent phone number.

As Stephen notes, if you call the number, it doesn't ring: it goes straight to voicemail. The message doesn't state the company name and simply instructs you to use the "contact" page on their website. Clearly, you're not going to get to talk to anyone if you have a problem.

Googling the phone number shows a couple of other companies that no-longer trade.

It's not filling me with confidence so far. So I emailed them and asked some direct questions: is this in stock in the UK? If I order today, when would you actually ship? I assume this is a grey import, so what kind of charger does it come with? Can I collect it?

I got a reply within minutes, written in good english ...confirming they were UK models, in stock in the UK, with a UK charger and manual and would be dispatched in 3-5 days. They have no facilities for collection.
Feeling brave (and reliant on the combined backup of the "distance selling" rules and credit card support), I placed an order a few minutes later. (Wednesday 11th)

The transaction seems normal, but I note that the payment goes to a different company name: "WWW.KAMKORDA.CO.UK" ...that's not too unusual, but is a small red flag. On Tuesday I email them and ask when the order will be shipped. They reply within 5 minutes and confirm it'll be shipped on Wednesday, to arrive on Thursday. On Thursday morning, I email and they promptly provided a UPS tracking number. I'm finally starting to feel hopeful!

UPS delivered (19th). Their online tracking shows it was shipped from Derby (not Wakefield)... so there are no charges or import duty to deal with. The UPS paperwork shows it came from "Repton International Limited" ...at the same WF1 5QW address as Alexander Trent. The invoice neither shows a VAT breakdown, nor a company VAT number.

The camera appears fine and does have a UK power cord. As expected, it's plainly a grey import though. Looking at the box, it's subtle, but this box wasn't meant for Europe (where it would say: "Lens not included / Objectif non fourni / Objektiv nicht mitgeliefert / Obiettivo non incluso / Objetivo no incluido". English is still the first language, but the following 3 are all a script I'm not familiar with, but assume is Chinese or similar). The pack of manuals has been opened, leaving only the English manual. The body has both the CE and FCC stamps.

So in summary: it's a grey import, as expected at this price. It takes a while to arrive (presumably because they have to wait for it to arrive from Hong Kong(?) before they can re-ship. You can't believe all they say in their emails and you'll never get hold of them on the phone. If you looked for them in the real world, you'd be looking in the wrong city!
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Domain name:
kamkorda.co.uk

Registrant:
Bentonville International Limited

Registrant type:
Non-UK Corporation

Registrant's address:
306 Victoria House
Victoria
Mahe
Seychelles

Registrar:
Cable & Wireless Limited t/a Demon Virtual Servers [Tag = DSVR]
URL: http://www.dsvr.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 16-Dec-2009
Expiry date: 16-Dec-2013
Last updated: 08-Dec-2011

And a little digging brings up this, from the one of Bentonville International's other websites (the now defunct provisual.com)

By making a purchase on this or any of Bentonville International Limited's web sites, you agree that the purchase and importation complies with the laws of the country to which you have requested delivery. You will be the sole importer of the product for all purposes, including but not exclusively, all customs regulations, copyright and trademark laws. You accept that Bentonville International Limited's role is limited to sourcing products in Asia and making these products available through the web site for you to import direct from Singapore or Hong Kong. In no event will Bentonville International Limited be a party to the import of such product nor will it be responsible for any liability arising for the import and sale of products available on the web site, including without limitation, customs regulations, copyright and trademark laws. By purchasing a product through the web site, customers outside of Singapore and Hong Kong authorise Bentonville International Limited to make arrangements for clearance of customs on their behalf for the products they have ordered
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:police: :runaway: :lol:
 
Hi Folks,
Had a customer ask me if I could beat NewmanCollins of Wakefield on price. Didn't know who they were so googled them and their homepage sent me to Alexander Trent! I guess another name that Alexander Trent are using!
 
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kerso said:
Hi Folks,
Had a customer ask me if I could beat NewmanCollins of Wakefield on price. Didn't know who they were so googled them and their homepage sent me to Alexander Trent! I guess another name that Alexander Trent are using!
Click to expand...

The website seems to be working now, but it looks brand new (the linked Facebook account is a couple of weeks old) and a quick Google inks it to another site with the same sort of "double barrelled" name, spencermann.com with the same address, oh and pro-vision.co.uk

Domain name:
pro-vision.co.uk

Registrant:
Heike Poetschlack

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their
address omitted from the WHOIS service.

Registrar:
Cable & Wireless Limited t/a Demon Virtual Servers [Tag = DSVR]
URL: http://www.dsvr.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 18-Nov-2011
Expiry date: 18-Nov-2013
Last updated: 14-Jun-2012


Looks as if they have these sites sitting ready to go as soon as the previous one gets rumbled....
 
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Hey flash in the pan, does it really matter what time i make a post, a question was asked and i answered it, obviously i didn't check them out as vigourously as you did, i got my camera in 3days, i'm happy with it, end of story
 
Terryxc said:
Hey flash in the pan, does it really matter what time i make a post, a question was asked and i answered it, obviously i didn't check them out as vigourously as you did, i got my camera in 3days, i'm happy with it, end of story
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It doesn't matter, however the fact that you appear to have joined the forum at 4 in the morning, gone straight to a thread about a dubious seller and posted a glowing review of them and then only ever returned to defend your initial post comes across as a "bit" suspicious ;)
 
Flash In The Pan said:
It doesn't matter, however the fact that you appear to have joined the forum at 4 in the morning, gone straight to a thread about a dubious seller and posted a glowing review of them and then only ever returned to defend your initial post comes across as a "bit" suspicious ;)
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I can see your point and you have every right to be suspicious, but i answered the post because i had dealt with them, and thats the only reason, if i'd seen your post beforehand then i would probably have steered clear myself, and Gary thanks for the correction its a Canon 600D, i got what i think was a good deal and i'm happy with it, i came on here because i want to learn from other members, i'm new on here so at the moment i'm just reading and looking at other peoples excellent pics, and trying to pick up some tips, just hope one day i can do half as good as some shots i've seen already.
Thanks for your patience
 
Terryxc said:
I can see your point and you have every right to be suspicious, but i answered the post because i had dealt with them, and thats the only reason, if i'd seen your post beforehand then i would probably have steered clear myself, and Gary thanks for the correction its a Canon 600D, i got what i think was a good deal and i'm happy with it, i came on here because i want to learn from other members, i'm new on here so at the moment i'm just reading and looking at other peoples excellent pics, and trying to pick up some tips, just hope one day i can do half as good as some shots i've seen already.
Thanks for your patience
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I don't suppose you kept your invoice or shipping docket? A scan or pic of that ( with your street and post code obscured, naturally) might help your case....
 
Is it just me or has both their web sites gone.

www.middletonbanks.com
www.alexandertrent.com

They never did let me return the camera in the 7 day period after Panasonic said they would not register or cover it under warranty as it was meant to be sold in Asia and I am still waiting on the credit card company to sort. :bang:

Stephen
 
So presumably these are the related company details:

Director Summary

Paul Stephen Wright has 11 company director or secretary appointments.

Short name - Paul Wright
Director ID : 910250331
Year of Birth: 1968

Address

1 The Limes
Burton-On-Trent
United Kingdom
DE15 0NW


Company Summary

Company Name Company Status
KAMKORDA WORLDWIDE LTD Active
KAMKORDA LTD Dissolved
LINDSAY WRIGHT LTD Dissolved
PRO VISUAL SERVICE LTD Dissolved
PRO VISUAL SERVICE LTD Dissolved
BENTONVILLE VISUAL LTD Dissolved
BENTONVILLE VISUAL LTD Dissolved
BENTONVILLE TECHNOLOGY LTD Dissolved
BENTONVILLE RETAIL LTD Dissolved
FOX PROMOTIONS LTD Dissolved
PAUL WRIGHT LOGISTICS LTD Dissolved
 
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