Precision Camera? (a rant)

[zooki]

So what is the average time it takes Precision Camera to repair a camera? I'm still waiting for them to fix my 7D. Or should I say, my second 7D. Having had two working cameras for a grand total of 4 days out of over 3 1/2 months now sucks. I had to laugh when I read a post about the 7D's "rugged construction". The funny thing is(well, maybe not so funny) is that nobody I talk to at PCVR knows what's going on with my camera. It's "I'll send an E-mail to so & so and get back to you". Which they never do, and I end up calling back after a few days. Does anyone use telephones anymore? I called today, and of course nobody had gotten the magical E-mail, so nobody knew nothing. When I suggested picking up the phone and calling the person working on my camera to find something, anything, out, I was informed that that's not the procedure. Screw the procedure, I want my camera back, or maybe know what broke on it, and maybe, just maybe, when it's going to be fixed. And when I do finally get it back, I'll be gun shy about it breaking again. OK, rant over...

 

[eelnoj]

I'd say the average turnaround time has been 3-4 weeks for people here.

 

[MotoTraveler]

PC took 6 weeks to "repair" my 7D, then they sent it back to me having "fixed" a problem it didn't have, and not fixing the problem I sent it in for. So I just sent it in again, to fix the actual problem with the camera, hopefully this time I'll get it back in a more timely manner, but probably not. I talked to a higher up at the KM service line, he said he was sorry, and he had PC send me a prepaid shipping label. However what I really want is my camera to be fixed, soon. And that seems to be something PC can't do.

I'm kinda glad for this reason alone that I have switched to Nikon recently.
--
Ian Schoenleber
Moderator, http://www.klr650.net

 

[Karta Purkh khalsa]

Unfortunately, 3-4 weeks seems to be the norm. The work they did on my 7D was fine but it took them some time to get parts. We have to face the fact that Precision Camera seems to be a bit bigger than a "mom & pop" shop but without a doubt lots smaller than the name K-M or Sony might imply.

Maybe that will change as Sony settles in and gets its act in order as the owner/manufacturer of a full fledged DSLR.
Best of luck
--

How can you be in two places at once when your not anywhere at all! Firesign Theater
http://kartapurkhkhalsa.typepad.com/
http://kckundaliniyoga.com
http://kartapurkh.smugmug.com/
KartaPurkh Khalsa

 

[digitalshooter]

decision to order parts is made along with more familiarity, I am sure things will get better. Of course this is not their only money maker, just a second or third thing they took on for Sony.

It is truly a shame becuase Phil Bradon is still there liaisoning with Sony and Precision.

They need to turn everything back over to him.

--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

Member of the 7D and Beercan Cult!

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer and its calling me to the darkside!

 

[Nereo]

inform them that if you do not receive any information regarding your camera in the next 24 hours that you will be contacting the Better Business Bureau and taking your claim up with them.

Give them 24 hours, and should nothing happen, contact the BBB (www.bbb.org)

The BBB exists solely to support individual consumers like you, and while it may not speed your claim along very much, the more complaints a business gets, the more serious the BBB will address precision camera and their repair procedures and consumer relations.

not doing anything is simply accepting that 'This is the way consumer relations is" and leaving your bad experience to be repeated by the next guy.

i do hope you get your 7D back and working soon...
N

 

[psn]

They also seem to have fixed my camera's focusing problem quiet well. Unfortunately, in the process of fixing it they scratched my focusing screen and lost my LCD protector (fortunately I have a spare).

I now don't think PCVR will be able to catch up with the repairs unless they hire more people. I don't think they have that many repair techs working there. It took them four weeks to fix my camera back in April and they haven't done any better in the past month or two.

-Perry

 

[Bob Myers1]

... I am not sure what action I would take but I would make them know me on a first name basis.....I just dont believe that is an acceptable repair time frame but wait ....you still dont have your camera !!!!!! We dont know when you might get it back......That just sucks !!!!!

Like someone suggested the BBB .... dont know what city they are in but go to the BBB on line and see what their reputation is.... it will give you some indication what you are upagainst.
you now know the nice approach doesnt work....Get mad...give them he11 !!!!!!
Good luck
Bob

So what is the average time it takes Precision Camera to repair a
camera? I'm still waiting for them to fix my 7D. Or should I say,
my second 7D. Having had two working cameras for a grand total of 4
days out of over 3 1/2 months now sucks. I had to laugh when I read
a post about the 7D's "rugged construction". The funny thing
is(well, maybe not so funny) is that nobody I talk to at PCVR knows
what's going on with my camera. It's "I'll send an E-mail to so &
so and get back to you". Which they never do, and I end up calling
back after a few days. Does anyone use telephones anymore? I called
today, and of course nobody had gotten the magical E-mail, so
nobody knew nothing. When I suggested picking up the phone and
calling the person working on my camera to find something,
anything, out, I was informed that that's not the procedure. Screw
the procedure, I want my camera back, or maybe know what broke on
it, and maybe, just maybe, when it's going to be fixed. And when I
do finally get it back, I'll be gun shy about it breaking again.
OK, rant over...

--
Bob Myers WB7SBW
Minolta 7D Lens 28-100mm 28-300 Tamron 170-500 Sigma
2 - Olympus C21oo 2 - B3oo 1 - B-Macro

 

[Bob Myers1]

all disputes have been resolved.....

Precision Camera
3 Anngina Drive
Enfield, CT 06082

General Information

Original Business Start Date: January 1948
Type of Entity: Corporation
Principal : Mr. John H. Malinosky President
Customer Contact: Mr. Dennis Desrochers VP of Customer Service
Phone Number: (860) 749-7380
Fax Number: (860) 763-7100
BBB Membership: This company is not a member
Type-of-Business Classification: Photographic Equipment-Repair

So what is the average time it takes Precision Camera to repair a
camera? I'm still waiting for them to fix my 7D. Or should I say,
my second 7D. Having had two working cameras for a grand total of 4
days out of over 3 1/2 months now sucks. I had to laugh when I read
a post about the 7D's "rugged construction". The funny thing
is(well, maybe not so funny) is that nobody I talk to at PCVR knows
what's going on with my camera. It's "I'll send an E-mail to so &
so and get back to you". Which they never do, and I end up calling
back after a few days. Does anyone use telephones anymore? I called
today, and of course nobody had gotten the magical E-mail, so
nobody knew nothing. When I suggested picking up the phone and
calling the person working on my camera to find something,
anything, out, I was informed that that's not the procedure. Screw
the procedure, I want my camera back, or maybe know what broke on
it, and maybe, just maybe, when it's going to be fixed. And when I
do finally get it back, I'll be gun shy about it breaking again.
OK, rant over...

--
Bob Myers WB7SBW
Minolta 7D Lens 28-100mm 28-300 Tamron 170-500 Sigma
2 - Olympus C21oo 2 - B3oo 1 - B-Macro

 

[John W Butler]

Five weeks after I bought my 7D it stop functioning. The five green (AS) anti shake led's kept blinking and the rest of the camera shut down. Also there was a constant vibration and noise when the camera was turned on. I have heard more complaints about this problem with this camera than any other kind of problem. I believe that this camera was rushed into production knowing it had a flawed (AS) anti shake system in it. That is why Sony has modified the anti shake system in the new Alpha 100. If it wasn't flawed, why fix it if it ain't broke? Minolta was going under financially so they pushed this camera through production to get it to market to get some income. Screw the customer. I sent my camera to P.C.V.R in Enfield CT. on May 6th, they received it the 8th. They didn't look at it until the 15th; they didn't order parts for it until the 19th four days later, smart people. As of today, they still haven't fixed the camera.

 

[Gregory King]

I'm not sure why Sony just doesn't offer to pony up and replace the 5Ds with A-100s...either for free or maybe a small upgrade charge.

They'd have less hassle, a LOT of happy customers off buying their lenses and promoting their product, and they'd be able to get the troublesome cameras (lemons) off the market sooner. Heck, it'd probably SAVE them money...since repair by US technicians is always going to be more expensive than the cost to manufacture the A-100s in terms of labor.

Of course, you may have people trying to break their KMs before they go out of warranty. ;-)

Greg

 

[digitalshooter]

Also try this, send an email to Phil Bradon, tell him your story and see if he can look into ot for you.

[email protected]

Remember he is there in a limited role, but told me of late he has been liaisoning with Precision.

--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

Member of the 7D and Beercan Cult!

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer and its calling me to the darkside!

 

[John W Butler]

Took your advice and fired off a letter to the person you recommended. I also fired off a letter to Sony Customer Service about using PCVR for repairs.

John

 

[digitalshooter]

--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

Member of the 7D and Beercan Cult!

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer and its calling me to the darkside!

 

[John W Butler]

I was kind, polite, and direct.

Thanks

John

 

[digitalshooter]

Phil was one of the only enmployess hired by Sony on a temp basis. This forum, yahoo forum and others have nothing but praise for him and his staff. Phil WAS the backbone of KM support in NJ.

Then, if Phil could not make it happen no one could. Now as a temp, he is still dedicated to SOny, even without a job.

Phil has been a very good freind to us.

--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

Member of the 7D and Beercan Cult!

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer and its calling me to the darkside!

 

[John W Butler]

Just received an e-mail from Phil. Very nice and polite man and quick to respond. I only wish that the employees at PCVR were as good. I'm leaving for Ireland on vacation this coming Saturday without a camera. Going to Ireland without a camera is like going to a whore house without money. I sold my 9xi and my maxxum 9 thinking the D7 would be as good if not better. What a mistake. Ireland here I come.

John

 

[digitalshooter]

Sorry, what did he tell you?
--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

Member of the 7D and Beercan Cult!

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer and its calling me to the darkside!

 

[John W Butler]

Phil said he would contact PCVR and try to get an answer for me on the status of the repair. Too late now, I leave for vacation to Ireland this Saturday 06/10/06. Looks like i'm going without a camera. This is a nightmare.

JOHN

 

[John W Butler]

just got in touch with PCVR and they couldn't even tell me if the parts were received yet. The camera is still not repaired. I asked if they were going to replace the broken parts with new original parts. The reason I asked, is that the problem lies in the original parts, their flawed. This was confirmed by Phil, this is what I have been telling everybody all the while.

So if they use the original parts again it is likely that it will break again. Customer service said they wouldn't have an answer for me until next week. I don't know how they stay in business.

John