My last experience with Nikon repair left me thinking it would be better of selling my malfunctioning item as-is and buy a replacement instead of waiting for repairs which ended up not fixing the issue but being charged for it. IMO this move is BS and all about greed since most repairs are swapping out modular parts.

[www.dpreview.com]
Nikon USA has defended its decision to stop supplying spare parts to companies outside its authorized service network. Its intention is to deliver 'the best service experience to the customer,' says David Dentry, General Manager of Customer Relations at Nikon Inc, explaining that the complexity of modern cameras and the need for specialist analysis and calibration tools meant that repair attempts by ill-equipped retail or unauthorized repair shops could end up causing delays, increase the cost and risk voiding the camera's warranty. However, an independent service center we spoke to said its statements misrepresented the situation and is likely to mean small repairs take longer.

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Apple does the same thing, always has.

And it is all about the customer service. The unauthorized smaller shops have crappier customer service(in general, always exceptions, etc.). I've seen plenty of absolutely horrible Apple repairs done by unauthorized repair shops. Probably the same deal for Nikon.

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C(-)ris

I agree with C(-)ris. With the higher level of technology and embedded firmware in most components, the days of the watchmaker moonlighting as a lens repairman are long gone.

Heck, it takes a dealer, precision tools, and up to $2,000 to change the spark plugs in the F150 Fords.

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cbelt3
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Heck, it takes a dealer, precision tools, and up to $2,000 to change the spark plugs in the F150 Fords.

kidding, right? 2k USD?

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space-time

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cbelt3
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Heck, it takes a dealer, precision tools, and up to $2,000 to change the spark plugs in the F150 Fords.

kidding, right? 2k USD?

I've got a guy who can do it for $400.

Independent shop.

If an independent shop screw it up, Nikon still gets business to repair it after the botched job. If these independents were so terrible they would have been out of business long ago. Parts are no longer repaired, they are swapped out. Nikon is just trying to limit customer choices and keep the money for themselves.

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Pure unadulterated greed. But that's business. I've used iCamera and Apollo (closed) from time to time.

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Chakravartin

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space-time

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cbelt3
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Heck, it takes a dealer, precision tools, and up to $2,000 to change the spark plugs in the F150 Fords.

kidding, right? 2k USD?

I've got a guy who can do it for $400.

Independent shop.

I doubt it. Those plugs are a PITA. There is no way anyone will touch them for less than $800 to $900 for a set. 9 out of 10 times at least half of the plugs break and have to be extracted.

There is a special place in hell for the engineer that thought up that plug design.


The only method I have heard of that works without breaking them off is to do it while the motor is hot and use and impact gun to rip them out, but that runs the risk of stripping out the threads in the head, then you are up a creek and looking at a Time Zert or a Calvan insert. Either way, you are talking lots of time.

I'm sure he will quote you $400, then when the plugs break he will upgrade the quote to $1200 and then take 2 weeks to finish it. I suppose you could be the 1 out of 10 that it goes smoothly, but the odds aren't good.

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C(-)ris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2012 12:30AM by C(-)ris.

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C(-)ris

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Chakravartin

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space-time

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cbelt3
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Heck, it takes a dealer, precision tools, and up to $2,000 to change the spark plugs in the F150 Fords.

kidding, right? 2k USD?

I've got a guy who can do it for $400.

Independent shop.

I doubt it. Those plugs are a PITA. There is no way anyone will touch them for less than $800 to $900 for a set. 9 out of 10 times at least half of the plugs break and have to be extracted.

There is a special place in hell for the engineer that thought up that plug design.


The only method I have heard of that works without breaking them off is to do it while the motor is hot and use and impact gun to rip them out, but that runs the risk of stripping out the threads in the head, then you are up a creek and looking at a Time Zert or a Calvan insert. Either way, you are talking lots of time.

I'm sure he will quote you $400, then when the plugs break he will upgrade the quote to $1200 and then take 2 weeks to finish it. I suppose you could be the 1 out of 10 that it goes smoothly, but the odds aren't good.

It must not be any Mexicans where you live.

Hijacking this tread, but I changed the plugs and wires in my F150 for the first time @ 160k miles in my garage. Took about an hour and a half. One of the plug wire caps came apart. Removing it from the plug to get the wrench on set us back about 45 minutes.
It not always that difficult.

I'm not a Mexican either. But my brother-in-law is.

He watched safely from a stool with a beer in his hand during the entire proceedure.

Threadjacked

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michael_s
Hijacking this tread, but I changed the plugs and wires in my F150 for the first time @ 160k miles in my garage. Took about an hour and a half. One of the plug wire caps came apart. Removing it from the plug to get the wrench on set us back about 45 minutes.
It not always that difficult.

I'm not a Mexican either. But my brother-in-law is.

He watched safely from a stool with a beer in his hand during the entire proceedure.

Corona Extra ?

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norwegian wood reality TV

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billb

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michael_s
Hijacking this tread, but I changed the plugs and wires in my F150 for the first time @ 160k miles in my garage. Took about an hour and a half. One of the plug wire caps came apart. Removing it from the plug to get the wrench on set us back about 45 minutes.
It not always that difficult.

I'm not a Mexican either. But my brother-in-law is.

He watched safely from a stool with a beer in his hand during the entire proceedure.

Corona Extra ?

The Mexicans around here generally don't drink Corona: they know better.

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[www.flickr.com] [picasaweb.google.com]

But anyway: back to the thread.

I agree with pRICE. Bad move on Nikon's part. There's a good local shop here who will fix any kind of camera, but they are mostly a Nikon shop. I don't know if they are authorized but now I hope so: this could drive them out of business.

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[www.flickr.com] [picasaweb.google.com]

What does it take to become an authorized repair shop? Certifications with some specialized training every now and then?

Also see: So where do I get my grey market gear fixed?