Sorry, Sarlacc! This is a nightmare I have every time I set up a meet-up on craigslist to sell something. I hope it works out for you. Welcome to the forum.

I'm going to revive this thread from the dead.

I just dropped my D3 off at NPS in El Segundo...

I was in the process of selling the camera...I was physically with the buyer as he was checking the camera out, when it up and died. No power, no lcds, nada.

Took it straight to NPS...they said they haven't heard of such a thing before. They would look into it. potential cost of $470 to fix it. I've never had an issue with this body since buying it new 3 years ago...only has 17k on the shutter.

Needless to say its a huge bummer, but Im well out of warranty....I can only hope its something so off the wall they decide to cover it. Regardless the buyer says he is still interested when the camera is fixed. I'll hopefully know more tomorrow.

Murphy's Law man...this couldn't have happened when I was actually shooting with it...had to happen in front of some dude I never met before as I was trying to get him to buy it.

spraynpray said:
It's usually my luck to get a problem with stuff I buy though, so maybe you and I are related. ;-)

You may be right...I seem to bring the "best" out of things, too. ha

NSXType-R said:
Hey, I'm glad you got back your camera. Honestly, I really don't like repairs. My PS3 was repaired twice, and each time it was Sony "re-certified". They can label it however they want, but it's still been refurbished. I sent in a new machine, I want a new machine back.

I'm sure you're still a bit annoyed at that too, considering how new it was.

Thanks, NSX! I'm trying not to think about it. I had 2 shoots this wknd and the camera worked beautifully so I guess that's all that matters now.

I bought a 50mm 1.4 secondhand for my OM1 back in the day, but on close examination I found it had a cluster of three air bubbles in the centre of the front lens group. I called Olympus and they told me to bring it in to their London repair centre. When I arrived I was shown inot the workshop where I stood and watched a technician disassemble and reassemble my lens using all the correct tools and a lot of skill. They gave me back a lens that was better than new and charged me nothing even though the lens was not new when I bought it.

I wouldn't worry too much about your camera, I think you can have faith in the appointed repair centres doing the job right as they have the training, tools and parts to do the job right.

It's usually my luck to get a problem with stuff I buy though, so maybe you and I are related. ;-)

loveandlemonade said:
Maybe it was "fast" but I still lost a lot of hair. ;)

Hey, I'm glad you got back your camera. Honestly, I really don't like repairs. My PS3 was repaired twice, and each time it was Sony "re-certified". They can label it however they want, but it's still been refurbished. I sent in a new machine, I want a new machine back.

I'm sure you're still a bit annoyed at that too, considering how new it was.

NSXType-R said:
See how fast that was? :D

Maybe it was "fast" but I still lost a lot of hair. ;)

See how fast that was? :D

Finally got my camera back! :D

Vic, Manager of Western Regional Service, was very nice and he apologized for the delays and issues. He also gave me his card with a direct phone # so I can call him if I'm having problems with my camera again. So far it seems to be working well...been playing w/it since I got home. I'm just happy it's fixed and back in my hands and I hope nothing major falls apart again. And I'm glad I didn't have to wage a full on attack.

P.S. I would hang out in the Nikon office all day if I could...I always meet the coolest, talented people/photographers who are happy to talk shop and share techniques. Each time I go, I end up exchanging info w/couple of people.

Yup, stuff like that happens, the delay is likely caused by the fact that they have to order parts from Japan. With all the shortages of D3s units, I'm sure replacement parts are hard to come by as well. Nikon really needs to open another plant in Japan, or elsewhere to keep up.

spraynpray said:
I'll be glad when it's resolved loveandlemonade - I'M getting stressed so I can imagine how you are feeling!!!!

haha Aw, you're too kind. Actually, everyone's been more than kind about my problem. I really appreciate everyone's support and suggestions. It's been a huge help going through this w/forum members. I hope it gets resolved soon, too...I really do like Nikon products and have always been a cheerleader for them but now this puts a damper in my relentless loyalty to this corporate giant.

I'll be glad when it's resolved loveandlemonade - I'M getting stressed so I can imagine how you are feeling!!!!

Thank you, Valonqe and spraynpray. That's exactly what I plan on doing. I sent out a bunch of tweets from both my work and personal accounts (totaling 700+ followers) and included Nikon's Twitter name in them so we'll see if I get a response. I told the rep he needs to get on the phone w/El Segundo and tell them my camera has to be ready tomorrow by noon or I'm raising hell and won't stop until I get a resolution I'm satisfied with. I think I've been pretty nice and patient so far but now it's ridiculous. >:(

What Valonqe said.

I ran the customer service of part of a big US corporation and am very intolerant of bad customer service - especially with market leading companies. You now need to make your problem somebody elses problem and Valons post is on the money.

Do it while there is still time to pick up the stuff you need before the next shoot.

HTH

Why wait, just do it. Kick the hell out of them. If I was you I would write direct to Nikon HQ with a major complaint letter stating the frustration and the losses that you are losing for their incompetence dealership service department.

And if that doesn't sort out you're problem then try and threaten them that you will write and article on any flashy photography magazine where normally Nikon advertises their products complaining about the way they dealt with you.

Don't forget to mention on the complaint letter that Canon is willing to help you with a brand new camera and a set of lenses for the upcoming shoot rent free.

Don't deal direct with dealers any more, they have proven them self that they are not worthy, you should go for the big fish.

good luck and give them the fire, for God sake.
best regards
valon

Just got off the phone with Nikon. UGH. I'm really upset now. The camera was supposed to be ready yesterday. I gave them the courtesy of giving them more time and didn't go yesterday. I called Nikon today to make sure it was ready and they tell me they ordered a part and they're waiting for it and don't know when it's going to be ready. OMG!! Why didn't anyone call me to let me know? Or email me? So this means they found another problem with the body because I asked the guy in El Segundo if they had the board and he said yes and it should be ready Tuesday morning - this was Monday afternoon. I have 3 shoots this weekend. I know I can rent gear but why should I pay for the rental costs when Nikon has dropped the ball? And it's been 10 business days. I am pissed...I'm tempted to start raising real hell.

spraynpray said:
I would mention that you post here to the Nikon Customer Service head honcho. If it doesn't get his attention, he isn't doing his job so tell him you will send the next email to Japan.

I'm so hesitant to take it that far...part of me says I should and another part says I should relax and accept it. And I'm also thinking that will be my next step if another problem arises...but do I want to wait and see if it does or just demand a new body? Or just stfu and see what happens. ha

I would mention that you post here to the Nikon Customer Service head honcho. If it doesn't get his attention, he isn't doing his job so tell him you will send the next email to Japan.

poster said:
You're my hero! =]

Well, If the problem persists, you know what to do. And make sure to ask for some complimentary "hope-you-feel-better" lenses from Nikon.

LOL! Well, thank you! And a couple of lenses for the road would def. help ease the pain. ;)

loveandlemonade said:
Yes, and I've done this once before. I was on my 8th Blackberry Storm in 7 months and VZW didn't want to replace it with a new model altogether. I wasn't about to put up with a 9th Storm so I raised hell and they had some honcho call me directly and gave me the BB Tour (which had just come out) and replaced my Storm for a new one. I ended up selling the Storm for $200. I hate resorting to that and I hope I never have to but sometimes you just have to squeak til you get the oil.

You're my hero! =]

Well, If the problem persists, you know what to do. And make sure to ask for some complimentary "hope-you-feel-better" lenses from Nikon.

poster said:
Have you heard about Executive Carpet Bombing?

i am so mad that I haven't heard of it before couple of weeks ago.

Yes, and I've done this once before. I was on my 8th Blackberry Storm in 7 months and VZW didn't want to replace it with a new model altogether. I wasn't about to put up with a 9th Storm so I raised hell and they had some honcho call me directly and gave me the BB Tour (which had just come out) and replaced my Storm for a new one. I ended up selling the Storm for $200. I hate resorting to that and I hope I never have to but sometimes you just have to squeak til you get the oil.

NSXType-R said:
Customer service is usually laughably bad for Nikon and Canon included. I've heard bad things for both.

Good luck getting through this.

I think customer service is pretty bad in most companies. It's a shame since it really is the back bone to a good and lasting company, imo.

And thank you...I do need luck at this point.

jonnyapple said:
Finally, this afternoon my wife got angry enough to contact them herself, and they're sending us a new one! I guess nice isn't always what gets the best outcome...

I always make it a point to be nice to reps cuz their job is not easy nor any fun BUT if they have a bad attitude or really don't make an effort to help find a resolution, I will get upset. Unfortunately, I find this usually does get a reaction and satisfactory results. :(

Have you heard about Executive Carpet Bombing?

i am so mad that I haven't heard of it before couple of weeks ago.

Customer service is usually laughably bad for Nikon and Canon included. I've heard bad things for both.

Good luck getting through this.