You'll never have a problem like that with a Campy triple. The left shifter has 12 clicks and enough cable pull to operate any FD. That changed in '09 with the excess travel eliminated.

Experienced Shimano triple users always tell me that their setups work perfectly, although the ability to trim the FD is more limited.

One problem that might occur is attaching the shift cable incorrectly. With most FDs, the cable attachment seems obvious, but it's possible that someone attached the cable on the wrong side of the clamp bolt. That changes the lever arm length and makes it impossible to set up.

I agree to start from scratch, being sure that the finger lever is pushed repeatedly to fully release the cable, before pulling it tight and reattaching it to the FD. One thing that is common with all FDs and shifters - the first click of cable pull should always create some significant movement of the FD. If not, then that click is being wasted, taking up cable slack and it will never work properly.