Precision Camera Repair- "Flat Rate" Scam?

[europa]

From reading their website, it appears that Panasonic repairs at Precision are supposed to be at a flat rate, based on model (" No estimates, no high costs, just one low price to restore your LUMIX DMC camera"). So I sent my FZ-18 in and received a call saying the cost was $370, which is, of course, more than replacement cost. When I asked about the "flat rate" quoted on the website, I was told that this camera needed an expensive part. So, if I understand them, the flat rate only applies if the repair costs less than the flat rate. Am I wrong to consider this a scam? Any suggestions about contacting Panasonic about this?
Thanks for letting me vent!!!
John

 

[Setter Dog]

Sounds like a scam to me,....

 

[Paul Owens]

Yeh, I'd let Panasonic know what happened.

Even if the camera was run over by an 18-wheeler, a brand new FZ35 can be purchased for around $300.00.

I don't think Panasonic would want their cameras to be thought of as "not worth repairing"?

Paul
--

 

[europa]

I have posted an email to Panasonic's support. I will let you know what happens.
Thanks, John

 

[Foto301]

This is how the industry works - as I just found out today. I sent a D50 to Nikon for repair and they want me to pay $170 for repair. On the work order there was no mention of the issue or repair. So I called customer service. Turns out that is a flat rate estimate for repair based on my description for the issue. They won't know for sure until they actually look at the camera - which will be as soon as I pay for the estimated repair. It could turn out to be another issue and I'd get another flat rate estimate for that repair asking for approval, which won't actually be known as the issue until I pay....
I asked for my camera back. I can see how this is going....

 

[europa]

The Nikon pricing sounds even riskier. I received a reply from Precision Camera Repair which follows:

"Thank you for contacting Precision Camera. I do apologize for the increase in the estimate, when you read the terms and conditions listed on our website we do explain that the cost of repair may increase due to excessive parts. Such was the case in your repair. I do apologize for any inconvenience."

I read the Terms and Conditions, and #4 states:

" All repairs that are found to have extreme physical damage, and require excessive parts may be re-estimated. Your approval is required prior to processing the new estimate."

My interpretation of this is that since my camera did not have any physical damage,this exception should not apply. They do say, 'extreme physical damage, AND require excessive parts', not OR.

If they apply this as they did to me, then the very prominent claim on the first page of Panasonic repairs," Precision Camera offers flat rate repair pricing. No estimates, no high costs, just one low price to restore your LUMIX DMC camera. Just go to the top of the page and get that low rate by entering your LUMIX model into the cost estimator" is meaningless. They can charge more any time the cost exceeds the flat rate, thus making the "flat rate" offer misleading at best.

Thanks, John

 

[vlab]

When EVF died on my FZ50 they repared at flat rate, but itt took about 3 month. They dold me that it requered 2 parts and each of them were shiped separately from Japan by boat. I'm cerious!

--

 

[Foto301]

I'd file a consumer action complaint for misleading statements with your state and federal authorities. And call Clark Howard.

 

[europa]

Thanks. Who is Clark Howard?
John

 

[Foto301]

http://clarkhoward.com/

 

[europa]

I just got a phone message from Precision. They will fix it for the original estimate.
I'll report if any significant changes/issues.
Thanks, John

 

[europa]

I just spoke to someone at Precision who said that he had been sent a link to my posting here on dpreview. He looked into my claim and found, to his surprise, that their Panasonic repair page does indeed offer a flat rate, no estimate, repair. So they are honoring the original quote. And they will be correcting the wording on their site. He said that the wording is different for other manufacturers. So thank you dpreview for helping me keep my FZ18.
John

 

[Midwest]

How about that - an honest business after all perhaps.

 

[jman995x]

Just out of curiosity, are you referring to:

http://www.PrecisionCamera.com

or

http://www.Precision-Camera.com

?

Thanks,

Justin

 

[europa]

I was referring to the first one you list. They are a repair service for many brands. My apologies to the store in TX , whose web site you list second, with the "-" between words.
John

 

[mbrandt3]

This just shows how popular this particular forum really is. Too bad it had to go to this point in order for you to get your camera repaired for the advertised price.
--
Marie Brandt

 

[alyse0705]

I know this is an older thread, but I just received my Nikon SB800 flash back from Precision Camera. Their online repair estimator was $130 for the flash, which was over $200 less than what Nikon quoted me.

The cost actually turned out to be quite less - only $90. The turnaround time was just 2 weeks, also far less than Nikon would have been. So far, I'm a very satisfied customer!

 

[Smokin James]

I sent my Canon Sx10 to them back in April and didn't hear anything from them. I finally called them a week ago and was told my camera got shipped to Canon for more repairs. All I needed was the LCD flip out screen replaced. I didn't think it would take this long.

 

[djddpr]

John,

It looks like that this might yet turn out well for you due to your perseverance and possibly some luck. Oh, and, in some measure, to the support of this forum. Good luck and keep us posted. I look forward to seeing some posts from your repaired FZ18.

David Dollevoet

 

[Donovan S]

From reading their website, it appears that Panasonic repairs at Precision are supposed to be at a flat rate, based on model (" No estimates, no high costs, just one low price to restore your LUMIX DMC camera"). So I sent my FZ-18 in and received a call saying the cost was $370, which is, of course, more than replacement cost. When I asked about the "flat rate" quoted on the website, I was told that this camera needed an expensive part. So, if I understand them, the flat rate only applies if the repair costs less than the flat rate. Am I wrong to consider this a scam? Any suggestions about contacting Panasonic about this?
Thanks for letting me vent!!!
John

Please beware of Precision Camera scam!

Although the proudly display glowing testimonials and claims of "top quality" service, my repair has been mis-handled, and I have been given NOTHING- no "service" and no consideration.

I sent my camera to Precision Camea a couple of months ago. I waited a few weeks and called to check on the status of the repair. At that time, I was told it had been "sent to the factory," and that would take 3-5 weeks. Isn't that something that I should have been notified about??? I mean, all of their customer "testimonies" are from people who received "quick" service. They had my e-mail AND my phone number! Shouldn't someone have contacted me?? At the end of the "five weeks," I again called. THIS time, I was told the factory needed an additional amount for the repair- actually bringing my costs to more than DOUBLE what was quoted to me! When did they know this? It seems they needed my approval. Then, once I approved of the NEW repair costs, I was told it would be another 3-5 weeks before the repairs would be completed! Doesn't ANYONE think this is something I should have been told about??? Were they just going to wait until I called to tell me??? This is NOT customer service! I explained in detail what happened to my camera. Precision camera quoted me a price, which SHOULD have covered the cost of the repairs. That is, if people are supposed to believe the testimonials from their "satisfied customers."

Overall, I would rate their "service" as EXTREMELY POOR, and their representatives as uncaring. The woman I talked to was outright BORED, and powerless to rectify ANYTHING! If you call them, you will be wasting your time. They outright LIE about "fast turnaround" and "24-hour repair status information." No one told me ANYTHING until I asked. If I hadn't taken time out of my work day, I STILL wouldn't know the status of my repair.

If someone actually looked at my experience objectively, they would see Precision Camera as unprofessional and dishonest.

Donovan