Sunpak 8001UT Tripod

I purchased one of these from Wolf Camera for $40, as my first tripod. From this you can probably tell that I'm no expert, but it only took about five minutes once I got it home and started playing with it before I realized how poor it was. The main problem was the pan/tilt clamps, which were flimsy and flexed when tightened even moderately, causing the camera to move. I found it almost impossible to aim a camera with any degree of precision. There was also a bubble level on the body which was laughably inaccurate. It read "level" when one side of the tripod was elevated about 3 inches above the floor (I know my floors aren't that slanted!). The quick release shoes (two are included) had levels that seemed more accurate, but they weren't particularly easy to see with the camera mounted. Wolf Camera exchanged it without a question the next day after I brought it, but I have to say I was moderately annoyed that the original salesperson didn't give me any useful advice when I bought it (although I should have done my homework I guess). There are alternatives that aren't all that much more expensive, and I would avoid this tripod if you need anything more than the most crude functionality.