Dee Dee, This is not the first time I have heard this about the BH-55. The Markins is a direct copy of the Arca Swiss without the eliptical ball that causes the Arca Swiss to lock up. It cost me $413 including 2nd day air shipping to Alaska. Not all RRS ball heads exibit the stickiness that you describe, but a fair amount of them do. So most likely it is a variation between production runs. I would return the ball head to RRS and get another or get your money back. If you get your money back, then I would go with the Kirk or the Markins.