My 1 month old, sick camera - dealing with the company

[TiffanyK]

The auto-focus is not working on my D40. Dh ordered the camera through Amazon. Ritz Camera was the company. I called them but they said that I"m past the Unconditional Warranty time and I have to take it up with Nikon.

I called Nikon. The guy said they would take a look at it, if I want to send it in. But what I want is a new camera. I'm not sure I like the idea of having this one fixed since it's only 1 month old.

What do you think? Is it okay to just have it fixed? Shouldn't they replace it?

[jann1033]

i don't know what nikon's policy is but canon will fix it or replace it if they can't fix it...i'd just make sure they don't try to slide a refurbished one in there since it's basically a new camera. with canon you have 6 months after the repair date if it's not under warranty so if they do fix it i'm guessing it would still be under your normal warranty if they don't fix it right, just a pain and disappointment

[My2Girls66]

You have a 1 year warranty on your camera. I'd send it in and have it fixed. I had to send my 2 month old D80 in- they fixed it and sent it back within 2 weeks from the date I sent it. Its fine now. I've had all good experiences with Nikon customer service. If its still not ok after that then worry about replacement. Good luck!

[webshark3]

I'm not a Nikon guy, but I know Canon and Sigma treat warranty repairs like it's your child. Chances are, it'll come back in better condition than factory new (hands on tech-calibrated, etc). I wouldn't worry about it.

Heck, I sent in a $99 Aiptek last year, and it came back better (They found software bugs and fixed the audio). It only went in for a power problem. :)

[My2Girls66]

They even cleaned my D80 and lens for me while they were there:thumbsup2

[TiffanyK]

Thank you all. I feel much better about sending it in.

[My2Girls66]

They have a webpage for instructions on sending it in. They may want both the camera and lens. You should call and ask. My D80's problem was actually the lens not the body. The camera wasn't reading the kit lens all the time-
F-- error.

[YesDear]

I agree that Nikon service is excellent. You will be pleased.

[LexisAuntieLala]

My mom sent her camera in to be repaired at Nikon due to an issue covered under warranty. She had it sent in through a camera shop near where we live. Nikon had the camera for almost 3 months and we kept calling the camera shop to ask the status. They kept saying they had not heard anything from Nikon. My mom had missed all sorts of events for my niece (her 3rd birthday, apple picking, halloween etc.) She was devastated and extremely frustrated. She was nervous about getting a camera but fell in love with this one. Finally, I called Nikon and explained to the man what the situation was, how I was going to keep calling until I got resolution and how disappointed I was it would take so long. He said he would check into it. The next day I received an email that they had overnighted me a new camera to the camera shop. In the end, I really appreciated his stepping up and fixing so quickly after the long delay. Had we known, we would have been more persistent earlier. It may have taken so long because it was warranty work instead of billable (in the case of the camera shop and Nikon). In the end I really appreciated the fact that they stepped up, realized their mistake and rectified it in time for Christmas pictures.

[TiffanyK]

My mom sent her camera in to be repaired at Nikon due to an issue covered under warranty. She had it sent in through a camera shop near where we live. Nikon had the camera for almost 3 months and we kept calling the camera shop to ask the status. They kept saying they had not heard anything from Nikon. My mom had missed all sorts of events for my niece (her 3rd birthday, apple picking, halloween etc.) She was devastated and extremely frustrated. She was nervous about getting a camera but fell in love with this one. Finally, I called Nikon and explained to the man what the situation was, how I was going to keep calling until I got resolution and how disappointed I was it would take so long. He said he would check into it. The next day I received an email that they had overnighted me a new camera to the camera shop. In the end, I really appreciated his stepping up and fixing so quickly after the long delay. Had we known, we would have been more persistent earlier. It may have taken so long because it was warranty work instead of billable (in the case of the camera shop and Nikon). In the end I really appreciated the fact that they stepped up, realized their mistake and rectified it in time for Christmas pictures.


That's too bad that they had it so long, but I'm glad they sent the new one so fast after you talked with them. Mine will be going in as soon as this ice storm stops and I can get to the post office. I've still got to call to get the details on how to send it in.

[Groucho]

FWIW, I recently had out-of-warranty service done on a Nikon product (Coolscan scanner)... and they did flat-fee repair (very expensive, too) plus $25 for overnight return shipping (no other option) plus tax. I OKed it and it took over a month and a half for them to get the parts to fix it.

Once they did get the parts, it was shipped back to me within a week or so and was overnighted and it works great now... but I was really surprised that it took sooooo long to acquire parts, and was not entirely pleased with the startling cost of the whole process. (>$300.)

[Chikabowa]

Nikon is great to work with. In fact, you'll be happier working with them than any Ritz or Wolf Camera.

[jann1033]

My mom sent her camera in to be repaired at Nikon due to an issue covered under warranty. She had it sent in through a camera shop near where we live. Nikon had the camera for almost 3 months and we kept calling the camera shop to ask the status. They kept saying they had not heard anything from Nikon. My mom had missed all sorts of events for my niece (her 3rd birthday, apple picking, halloween etc.) She was devastated and extremely frustrated. She was nervous about getting a camera but fell in love with this one. Finally, I called Nikon and explained to the man what the situation was, how I was going to keep calling until I got resolution and how disappointed I was it would take so long. He said he would check into it. The next day I received an email that they had overnighted me a new camera to the camera shop. In the end, I really appreciated his stepping up and fixing so quickly after the long delay. Had we known, we would have been more persistent earlier. It may have taken so long because it was warranty work instead of billable (in the case of the camera shop and Nikon). In the end I really appreciated the fact that they stepped up, realized their mistake and rectified it in time for Christmas pictures.

you never know how long the shop had before they sent it in of course.

[Disneyland_emily]

I sent my Nikon d40 in last week and heard back today and no charge :) Apparently it had an extended warranty I didnt know about- so Im impressed (and very thankful I didnt have the local place fix it...)