I really don't want to take the time to write this --- but I have to. Here's the story...
On June 18 my 7i died. On the 19th I called Sony (remembering a post about the extended CCD warranty). They directed me to their eservice site, gave me instructions for filling out the service request (date s/b within last year, yadda), and instructed me to send it to Precision Camera in CT.
After several weeks (and a second tracking number), PC's website reported it as repaired on July 4th. The next day it showed as shipped, and the following day it gave a tracking number. Cool! Except that I lived in Ohio and it was going to Laredo, TX. After an hour on the phone Precision told me it wasn't fixed, but the CCD was bad, it would be covered, and it was going to Sony service in Laredo for the repair.
A week later it arrived (based on the tracking number), but it took another week to get any info on it. It was going to be repaired according to the service dept. Another tracking number, and instructions to call Konica Minolta led to a call w/ a senior service tech (after a 48 hour wait for them to research it). He assurred me that it was being repaired and shipped by this Thursday. Calls on Thursday & today couldn't get me shipping info. I was told to call back later tonight as it was repaired and in shipping. I should be able to get a tracking number. That call led me to a service rep telling me that it wasn't fixed, but it was being replaced and I needed to call Sony w/ a new tracking ID (actually the original Sony ID).
When I called them, they put me on hold for 10 minutes and said I should be receiving a letter from Konika Minolta telling me about an exchange offer. They read the letter and it had a tracking number and contact name & number. I called and the woman was still there and she said they would either give me a Sony H2 or prorated (over 7 years) refund of my purchase price. I faxed her a copy of my receipt and they are sending me a check for $411. Whew! Wonder if it'll really happen. She seemed very professional and legit so I'm confident (and a bit sad) that my 7i days are over.
--
John
On June 18 my 7i died. On the 19th I called Sony (remembering a post about the extended CCD warranty). They directed me to their eservice site, gave me instructions for filling out the service request (date s/b within last year, yadda), and instructed me to send it to Precision Camera in CT.
After several weeks (and a second tracking number), PC's website reported it as repaired on July 4th. The next day it showed as shipped, and the following day it gave a tracking number. Cool! Except that I lived in Ohio and it was going to Laredo, TX. After an hour on the phone Precision told me it wasn't fixed, but the CCD was bad, it would be covered, and it was going to Sony service in Laredo for the repair.
A week later it arrived (based on the tracking number), but it took another week to get any info on it. It was going to be repaired according to the service dept. Another tracking number, and instructions to call Konica Minolta led to a call w/ a senior service tech (after a 48 hour wait for them to research it). He assurred me that it was being repaired and shipped by this Thursday. Calls on Thursday & today couldn't get me shipping info. I was told to call back later tonight as it was repaired and in shipping. I should be able to get a tracking number. That call led me to a service rep telling me that it wasn't fixed, but it was being replaced and I needed to call Sony w/ a new tracking ID (actually the original Sony ID).
When I called them, they put me on hold for 10 minutes and said I should be receiving a letter from Konika Minolta telling me about an exchange offer. They read the letter and it had a tracking number and contact name & number. I called and the woman was still there and she said they would either give me a Sony H2 or prorated (over 7 years) refund of my purchase price. I faxed her a copy of my receipt and they are sending me a check for $411. Whew! Wonder if it'll really happen. She seemed very professional and legit so I'm confident (and a bit sad) that my 7i days are over.
--
John