Nikon Melville Repair Report

<p>Just got my gear back. It took 21 days round trip.<br /> <br />A few notes:<br /> <br />The packing for the return trip was very marginal. The gear (1 body and 2 lenses) was sent to Nikon in a double strength box with all items wrapped generously in bubble wrap. The return box was a standard cardboard box filled with styrofoam peanuts. It was bulging out at the sides as though it had been squashed and, as is nearly always the case with peanuts, the items had migrated down almost to the bottom of the container. One of the lenses was resting directly against the box's sidewall. UPS was the carrier and they're not exactly noted for their kid glove treatment.<br /> <br />My issues for the D200 were a sporadic camera lock-up when reviewing images, along with checking the focus calibration and a CLA. The estimate for repair was $224, listed as B2, moderate repair with major parts replacement. When the camera was returned, the note stated that the lock-up could not be duplicated, but there was no adjustment to the estimated repair price. Makes me wonder if I was charged for a repair that was not performed.<br /> <br />I'm in the process now of checking my gear, first for shipping damage and then for focus accuracy. If everything checks out, I'll give Nikon a grade of 5 or maybe a 6 on a 10 point scale. If I find any damage, that drops to 0. If I find I was charged for a phantom repair, the grade goes negative.<br /><br />This may seem a bit harsh. but why a company like Nikon, which surely understands how susceptible their equipment can be to drops and shocks, would pack in this manner is beyond me. It is unacceptable. If they're charging for work not performed, that moves beyond unacceptable to criminal.</p>

<p>In the case that the lens was resting against the wall of the package I find that the packaging was clearly inadequate. Couple this to Nikon usually being very quick to claim "impact damage" that voids warranty and it becomes inexcusable.</p>

<p>I make it a habit to save the original packaging for my cameras and lenses. For one thing it helps selling them as used items later on. And when I need to ship those, it provides much better protection when I place the original box inside the shipping cardboard box with foam "peanuts" or those "air pillows."</p>

<p>The one time I had to ship my 17-55mm/f2.8 AF-S to Nikon, after the repair, they shipped it back to me inside the same original box. They also correctly diagnosed that my lens had impact damage even though there was no visible damage at all. My lens mount was very slight bent so that all images were out of focus on the right side.</p>

<p>No one can repair a problem that cannot be replicated. They told you they could not replicate the problem. That does not mean that they did not spend a considerable amount of time attempting to replicate the problem and thus are going to charge you for that time. Probably 90% or better of all repair charges are for a person's time leaving maybe 10% or less for parts--people cost money. If you are willing to pay the expense of a person sitting with your D200 until a sporatic occures I am sure you can work a deal with the repair facility.</p>

 

<p>Howard, why don't you call or write Nikon an e-mail at Mellville and explain in detail calmly the condition the equipment, you just paid good money to fix, was in the recieved packaging. Express you are very unhappy with the specific issues you stated above. As for the cost, $224 is just for the body or all three items. Repairs aren't cheap, that's why I buy Nikons, usually in pairs, in the first place. As a rule Nikons are very cost effective, over the years I've had just one, a chrome FM2 that I wanted to throw at something, finally I sold the pair. We're only going to feel sorry for you over lunch, if you call Nikon, maybe it will get checked into.</p>

<p>At least you got peanuts. I shipped a body wrapped in bubble wrap, double boxed with peanuts in both.</p>

<p>It was returned wrapped in bubble wrap, bouncing around in a single carton. It proved that the camera is fairly hardy. (No problems at all.)</p>

<p>I advise the box in a box packaging method when shipping pricey items. I find Nikon to be good about their packaging. My complaint has been the deplorable treatment of packages at times from UPS. The most egregious treatment: it looked as though someone violently kicked my box with an F100 inside of it with their big Brown boot. 85% of the peanuts had fallen out by the time it arrived on my doorstep and I could casually reach through the hole in the box to remove the camera without <em>any </em>difficulty. UPS was remarkably <em>un</em>apologetic.</p>

<p>I just got off the phone with Nikon. Re the repair, the tech said they replaced the PCB most likely to cause the issue I described even though they could not replicate it.</p>

<p>Re the crappy packing, I will be receiving a call tomorrow from a customer service rep.</p>

<p>So far, so good.</p>

<p>Howard, keep in mind if it's not fixed, it will not cost you any additional money to get it repaired. I have sent camera's back 12+ months after getting repaired where the issue came back, the second repair was at no charge. And remember $224 doesn’t just repair what you think is broken, it brings the entire camera back to factory specs (just like a refurb you can purchase from a retail store). Also you get a 1 year warranty, not a 90 day warranty like the retail refurbs, and they're not strick about the 12 months if it's the same part that has re-broken. </p>

<p>I've sent many things to nikon melville, and it always comes back in the same packaging. A heavy mil plastic "bubble wrap" not the stuff kids like to pop. Maybe they've changed, i have a d70 there at the moment i'll see if their packaging has changed. I always us USPS to ship, it's only like $5.25 from where i live. </p>

<p>When Nikon (El Segundo in Los Angeles) repaired the 17-55mm/2.8 I dropped back in 2005, they warranty the repair for 6 months. Therefore if the original problem comes back after 12+ months and they don't charge you again, they are probably giving you a break.</p>

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<p>I was surprised they weren't going to charge me, but when i called before i sent it in, the guy on the phone was like "of course we're not going to charge you again."</p>