getting d*cked by camera repairer...

[jamesw]

mmm... i dont want to come off as too much of a sook, but i thought i'd have a rant,

a few months ago i noticed that my nikon d70s had a crack in the AF switch housing. At the same time, the flash unit decided that it would not stay down (it didn't clip in). These were largely cosmetic issues, so i decided i would put up with it untill i bought a new camera...

But at work (i work for the company that does my insurance) i discovered that I could get my camera fixed for $0 out of pocket under my insurance policy. Turns out i have accidental breakage for all my stuff, even when its away from home. Cool, huh!

Anyways, I got a quote from the camera repairer, which took about 2 weeks to get after dropping my camera into him. I didnt stress too much, i know these guys are busy and I was happy with the quote anyways... about $350 to fix it all up, which didnt seem too nasty.

Insurance accepted the quote, and sent me a cheque for the cash and told me to inform the repairer that theyve accepted the quote. I told the guy on 4/5 that the camera was sweet to be repaired, and that he could start on it. He told me that he would have to wait on a few parts, which would take 1-2 weeks and then it would be all sweet.

At this point in time, i'm still all good, not stressing at all... I'm pretty happy really, everything would be sorted out in under a month or so. And i've got a backup camera i can use, anyways.

So its now June 13. I've called him at least twice in the last few weeks, and he's now told me that there is a part that he didnt invoice me for that is on back order from Nikon japan. He can't explain to me satisfactorily why he didnt include it on the invoice, but i will give him the benefit of the doubt, as i suspect he is Japanese (or at least somewhere in asia) and has very poor english skills.

I'm now at my wits end. He wont tell me when the part will become availible - he has told me he has no idea, its on back order indefinitely. I really do miss the D70s compared to the D70 (the LCD on the D70 is pretty small) ...

Thankfully allianz have come to my rescue, theyve said they are going re open my claim and contact the repairer, find otu whats wrong, and if he cant get it fixed ASAP then I will get a replacement. Only catch is that I'm told they only like dealing with diamonds... I'm afraid they might try to replace my d70 with a d40x or something... arghhh..

But i'll cross that bridge when i get to it... I spose i could sell the camera if i really needed to, anyways.

OUCH. this sure is a pain in the neck!

(i've deliberately omitted the name of the repairer... although i'm pretty sure there is only one auth. nikon repairer in adelaide!!!)

[fishafotos]

That doesn't sound awfully pleasant.
Getting it replaced with a D40x would SUCK!

Hope u get it sorted out soon

[jamesw]

Getting it replaced with a D40x would SUCK!

yes, yes it would man! hopefully it gets sorted out and they get the repairer to sort his shit out (which i doubt...)

either that or they let me upgrade to d200, i have no interest in a d80.

[Matt. K]

Demand the camera back and take it elsewhere! You are being taken for a ride.

[Oneputt]

I am afraid that this is just another in the litany of tales about Nikon's lack of customer service. It really does suck.

[jamesw]

Demand the camera back and take it elsewhere! You are being taken for a ride.

they seem to be the only people in adelaide that will fix it. i can take it to a shop but they just send it to the same dude.

I am afraid that this is just another in the litany of tales about Nikon's lack of customer service. It really does suck.

yeah it does suck, but i have a funny feeling this lack of customer service is not atypical of all the other camera mfgs. the repair techs really have you by the balls.

i just have this funny feeling that he broke the part he is talking about when he was servicing the camera. becuase it just wasnt invoiced.

oh well such is life! i'm not so salty about it right now, i just hope they don't d40 me!!!! i could sell a d80 for a reasonable amount of bling if its australian stock and brand new in box... at least a grand

[beetleboy]

I know the guy you're talking about..he's a knob head. I had a few lens issues a while back and took them to him for testing - he set up the most useless focus test I've ever seen and proceeded to tell me that the out of focus images were "within operational limits"!! Umm..riiiiight. So taking OOF pictures is acceptable as long as they're only a "bit" OOF?!

You're right though, he IS the only authorised Nikon repairer in Adelaide. When I first walked into his "workplace" I thought I would avoid judging him based on first impressions - piles of paperwork scattered around his office in full view, lenses lying around without caps, camera's in all states of repair in pieces all over the place and his shithouse attitude...I was wrong to do so; all of those things reflect exactly what he turned out to be. Dodgy.

[jamesw]

I know the guy you're talking about..he's a knob head. I had a few lens issues a while back and took them to him for testing - he set up the most useless focus test I've ever seen and proceeded to tell me that the out of focus images were "within operational limits"!! Umm..riiiiight. So taking OOF pictures is acceptable as long as they're only a "bit" OOF?!

You're right though, he IS the only authorised Nikon repairer in Adelaide. When I first walked into his "workplace" I thought I would avoid judging him based on first impressions - piles of paperwork scattered around his office in full view, lenses lying around without caps, camera's in all states of repair in pieces all over the place and his shithouse attitude...I was wrong to do so; all of those things reflect exactly what he turned out to be. Dodgy.

the worst part is the language barrier - there is no point arc-ing up with him or trying to argue your point, because he just doesn't understand you. ive had lengthy phone conversations with him over the phone and in person and there is no point. i end up getting hot udner the collar because im so bloody frustrated.

i hope insurance just sort this s**t out for me, i was waiting for the D70s back, so i could sell my d70 and buy a d200... argh

[sirhc55]

Have you considered reporting him to Nikon HO in Aus, especially as it is now under Jap rule and not Maxwell

[beetleboy]

If you find a way to report him James, I'll be in on that.

(good thinking Chris..may as well take action!)

[jamesw]

I will let this all play out. Once i have a new camera in hand, i will def report him.

I think an email to nikon aus HQ would do the trick.

[ATJ]

I'm afraid they might try to replace my d70 with a d40x or something... arghhh..

Why wouldn't they replace it with another D70s? It is still a current model.

[Oneputt]

Chris Nikon Australia may be under Japanese oqnership but just try contacting someone in authority. It is set up so that you cannot. I know, I have tried.

[jamesw]

I'm afraid they might try to replace my d70 with a d40x or something... arghhh..

Why wouldn't they replace it with another D70s? It is still a current model.

it seems as though there is limited stock availible? teds have ceased selling d70s, and i believe diamonds no longer stock them either.

if i got a brand new d70s i would be cheering. then sell my d70 for 400-500 and buy that d200 i've been hankering for!

edit: i just checked - diamonds don't advertise d70s for sale anymore... teds do, but it looks like they are trying to run them out for very reasonable prices...

[jamesw]

insurance called me today, told me that they cannot get in contact with the repairer at all! left a few messages with no response... sounds pretty typical of the dude, huh!

insurance have said theyve arranged with diamonds to replace my d70s with a d80. thats basically the best case scenario i could imagine at this point in time.

insurance have also said that diamonds will be happy to swap the d80 for another model (d200 ). hopefully it shouldnt be more than $500 to upgrade.

now im just waiting on a call from diamonds to arrange the replacement. hopefully i should have a new body in my hands in the next week or so

[jamesw]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

just got a call from diamonds,

can go in and pick up the camera today. will cost me $680 more to upgrade to a d200, which i think is reasonably fair, considering its aussie stock.

$680 out of pocket to go from d70s to d200, australian stock, sounds pretty good to me....

gonna go get it tonight!

[Reschsmooth]

Top stuff - no you really don't need that f4!!!

[jamesw]

Top stuff - no you really don't need that f4!!!

keep wishing

[beetleboy]

top news James!

[jamesw]

i just hope that on my drive to diamonds i dont get mugged, my wallet is thick right now

[beetleboy]

Gimme a buzz if you do, I'm at the studio in Norwood atm..I'll come and take pics of the thieves (before they steal my camera!!) - can't do much else, I'm only a wee lad!

[jamesw]

Gimme a buzz if you do, I'm at the studio in Norwood atm..I'll come and take pics of the thieves (before they steal my camera!!) - can't do much else, I'm only a wee lad!

hey where abouts is your studio?

i live in norwood, very close to the big kensie road roundabout (. chances are you might have seen me riding my pushy around, i am often riding in places im not supposed to, there are lots of rails and stairs and other fun stuff around my place.

[beetleboy]

Behind the Norwood Hotel - big orange building, ya can't miss it!

[jamesw]

Behind the Norwood Hotel - big orange building, ya can't miss it!

is the norwood hotel the one on osmond tce/the parade?

thats verrrrryyy close to my house, i sometimes walk or ride up to yannis. i live just off the parade, at the bottom (city) end.

i might have to give ya a buzz if i get mugged, you can shoot em at 5fps ....

"stop or i'll shoot!"

[beetleboy]

Yup, that's the one!

[jamesw]

got the d70s back too (paid the repairer out of my own pocket), it seems he got off his bum eventually.

i'm giving the cam with the lower shutter count to my dad, for the cost of the repairs.

everyone wins!

[Reschsmooth]

got the d70s back too (paid the repairer out of my own pocket), it seems he got off his bum eventually.

i'm giving the cam with the lower shutter count to my dad, for the cost of the repairs.

everyone wins!

Good result for everyone - well done!

[Trieu]

Damn.. nice upgrade, if I had a Nikon the D200 would be my pick

[kurokaze204]

While we are on the topic of camera service, does anybody know the best lace to get CCD clea and general service of D70 in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne.

I have tried searching the forums here, but no joy.

Thanks!

[gstark]

Do it yourself.

Get a Giotto, and get a cleaning kit; it's easy.

Most times you'll find that the Giotto will do the job.

[kurokaze204]

I thought about that, but I have heard a few horror stories and I dread the thought of stuffing up my beloved D70.

I have also been having some back-focus issues since the last two round the world trips so I wanted somebody to check it all out and see what is wrong.

I'll check it out though, thanks Gary.

[pucara]

I took my camara D70s for repair to vintech and very happy with them they are located on the 5floor Mitchell House 358 lonsdale street melbourne phone 9602-1820

[Ivanerrol]

If you don't want to attempt to clean the sensor yourself. I would take it to the Camera Clinic in Easey Street Collingwood. They are the authorized Nikon Repair agent.