TCW vs NSC?

[kukubird]

As mention in the earlier thread- repair SB800 at NSC. Replace the whole hot shoe they charge $197.40 (inclusive of GST). Warranty of the part is given 3 months. At the first place the technician clean the contacts but I told them not the contact problems so the counter girl go back to the technician and a moment later I was told need to replace the whole hot shoe.

Cactus Jack is very right. I went to TCW and the boss quotes me $45 (inclusive of GST) for replace the whole hot shoe. I told him to call me before the technician replaces the part as I want to make sure he changes the right part. Two day later they call me and was told the total cost for repairing is $30 (inclusive of GST). Warranty of the part is given 3 month. He only changed the plastic lock lever and do not need to change the whole thing. This plastic lock lever can be worn off ever you lock it, so the contact points may not contact properly and some fire may missed. I asked where they get the spare part and was told they get it from NSC. If any one can help me to get this spare part I can repair it myself as the work is not very difficult.

I very doubt the professionalism of the NSC technician! Just for the easy work they want they advice me to change the whole hot shoe. They should check the problem before advice me. To me the old screw type is better than the plastic lock lever. What a different! I save $167.40. Using this saved money I went to buy a pair of shoe at the next door shoe shop and I also can buy 5 roasted ducks for dinner as I like to eat roasted duck. I smile all the way to the City Hall MRT.

I also bought a new grey set SB800 from TCW for my friend. It cost $577 (inclusive GST, warranty given is one year by TCW).

Other info, Camera bought from TCW warranty given is one year. CCD cleaning is $45 under or not under warranty is the same.
Camera under warranty by NSC, cleaning CCD is free. Without warranty NSC charge $25.

[huggable]

Sounds like "Merc servicing vs 3rd party servicing". Replacing the entire module vs replacing what's necessary.

[espn]

Aiyah, as if we care what you think and where you buy, just do what you want lah.

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by kukubird As mention in the earlier thread- repair SB800 at NSC. Replace the whole hot shoe they charge $197.40 (inclusive of GST). Warranty of the part is given 3 months. At the first place the technician clean the contacts but I told them not the contact problems so the counter girl go back to the technician and a moment later I was told need to replace the whole hot shoe. Cactus Jack is very right. I went to TCW and the boss quotes me $45 (inclusive of GST) for replace the whole hot shoe. I told him to call me before the technician replaces the part as I want to make sure he changes the right part. Two day later they call me and was told the total cost for repairing is $30 (inclusive of GST). Warranty of the part is given 3 month. He only changed the plastic lock lever and do not need to change the whole thing. This plastic lock lever can be worn off ever you lock it, so the contact points may not contact properly and some fire may missed. I asked where they get the spare part and was told they get it from NSC. If any one can help me to get this spare part I can repair it myself as the work is not very difficult. I very doubt the professionalism of the NSC technician! Just for the easy work they want they advice me to change the whole hot shoe. They should check the problem before advice me. To me the old screw type is better than the plastic lock lever. What a different! I save $167.40. Using this saved money I went to buy a pair of shoe at the next door shoe shop and I also can buy 5 roasted ducks for dinner as I like to eat roasted duck. I smile all the way to the City Hall MRT. I also bought a new grey set SB800 from TCW for my friend. It cost $577 (inclusive GST, warranty given is one year by TCW). Other info, Camera bought from TCW warranty given is one year. CCD cleaning is $45 under or not under warranty is the same. Camera under warranty by NSC, cleaning CCD is free. Without warranty NSC charge $25.

Thanks for info .

I know where I need to go if my SB800 got problem.

Regards,
Arto.

[Ramius]

Sharing is caring!
Thanks!

[Lmodel]

Originally Posted by kukubird What a different! I save $167.40. Using this saved money I went to buy a pair of shoe at the next door shoe shop and I also can buy 5 roasted ducks for dinner as I like to eat roasted duck. I smile all the way to the City Hall MRT.

Bro, this part sounded alittle like my little cousin's composition

[slooow]

wow bro kukubird...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARING! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[kukubird]

Why are you so happy? Are you going to buy sb800?

Originally Posted by slooow wow bro kukubird... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARING! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[slooow]

Originally Posted by kukubird Why are you so happy? Are you going to buy sb800?

i already have a sb800... [fingers crossed] in very good condition ehehehe

i am happy cos you got a good deal and you are sharing it!

i am happy cos i am a supporter of nikon... of cos i trust nsc

but if can get the work done at a fraction of the cost... i believe all nikon users will be happy

afterall, you mentioned that tcw gets parts from nsc right? means nsc still earn, but does not earn on servicing lor...

[nightwolf75]

ah... wonder if u folks know how these places repair stuff? fyi - they usually salvage from spoilt equipment and cannibalised the parts that are still working for repairs. so, think abt it...

in case i ruffle some sensibilities and feathers, yes, i do send my stuff for repairs @ Camera Exchange instead of NSC. and yes, dats how i know cos CamX's repair chap imports broken down or excess old stocks from overseas as spare parts. BUT, i only send old stuff like recently when my FM's meter died of old age. NSC no longer has the parts for it. come to think of it... my FM's meter died twice, each time after a repair at CamX. guess the previous cams which donated its meter were dying too...

so, if u wish to save a penny, go ahead. personal choice actually. me? i rather make NSC my first choice and other venues as last resort. and it don't matter if its nikon or otherwise.

[zaxh81]

Originally Posted by kukubird Camera under warranty by NSC, cleaning CCD is free. Without warranty NSC charge $25.

Do they clean or blow the CCD when camera is under warrenty?
I got mine clean at $28 after warrenty.

[kukubird]

NSC under warranty cleaning CCD is free. Warranty over NSC charge $25.
TCW under or over warranty they charge $45.

Originally Posted by zaxh81 Do they clean or blow the CCD when camera is under warrenty? I got mine clean at $28 after warrenty.

[loudhailer]

Thanks for the info....now fellow forummers can find alternative places to service their stuff!!!

[smallaperture]

Yeah, long live TCW!

[Geordie]

Originally Posted by kukubird ...... Camera under warranty by NSC, cleaning CCD is free. Without warranty NSC charge $25.

wah lao i saw this msg so happy lar... go email nsc... then they tell me this:

Good Day ,

Cleaning of CCD is not cover by warranty. It will be charge at $25 per
cleaning session.

Regards
Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd
No. 80 Anson Road Fuji Xerox Towers,
#10-01/02
Singapore 079907
Operating Hours :
Mon - Fri
9AM-12PM, 1PM-5PM

[espn]

Originally Posted by Geordie wah lao i saw this msg so happy lar... go email nsc... then they tell me this: Good Day , Cleaning of CCD is not cover by warranty. It will be charge at $25 per cleaning session. Regards Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd No. 80 Anson Road Fuji Xerox Towers, #10-01/02 Singapore 079907 Operating Hours : Mon - Fri 9AM-12PM, 1PM-5PM

I'll get back to you soon on this.

[espn]

CLARIFICATIONS

Just to clarify some stuff before this whole thing gets out of hand for the sake of the newbies and those who are geniunely baffled by this TCW vs NSC issue.

Please note that Nikon SG doesn't sell parts. These parts are indented in from Japan itself and used for repairs. Do note that these parts are however not just 1 screw or metal base plate (for eg: flash shoe) but they come in one set.

I'm sure you won't manufacture 1 metal plate but the entire set/part of a product for repair purposes. I'm sure Nikon may replace that metal plate alone, but of course, even if you don't want the rest of the parts they'll still bill you for it. Certain parts will be single and available, certain parts are replaced as a group.

So I leave you readers to think for themselves where on earth the unauthorised repair places gets their stocks from.

For setting the record straight sakes, Nikon Service Centre doesn't sell parts. Not even the handgrip rubber, or base rubber of the camera (I've tried purchasing to no avail), so it's totally impossible for TCW to get their hands on any parts from Nikon SG. It's bulsh!t that they can purchase parts from Nikon SG.

For glass elements, the entire group is replaced and not just that piece of affected glass. Eg: Your front element needs replacement, the entire front element group is replaced, not just the single piece of affected glass.

For those that assume 3rd party repairs are worth it, think again. Just FYI, certain groups/parts of elements/accessories are actually serialised with serial numbers, any tampering would be very easily discovered and warranty voided should you seek external repairs apart from Nikon SG itself.



*p/s: I do not work for Nikon Singapore.

[espn]

Originally Posted by Geordie wah lao i saw this msg so happy lar... go email nsc... then they tell me this: Good Day , Cleaning of CCD is not cover by warranty. It will be charge at $25 per cleaning session. Regards Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd No. 80 Anson Road Fuji Xerox Towers, #10-01/02 Singapore 079907 Operating Hours : Mon - Fri 9AM-12PM, 1PM-5PM

Ok, to clarify this.

Yes, it's true that CCD cleaning is not covered by warranty. However, Nikon Service Centre doesn't charge for CCD cleaning when it's still under warranty.

[longkangman]

Once it is being repaired by 3rd hand it is gone. Good luck when component failed again.

[Cactus jACK]

Originally Posted by espn Just to clarify some stuff before this whole thing gets out of hand for the sake of the newbies and those who are geniunely baffled by this TCW vs NSC issue.

third-party repair shops might be able to save you a few bucks (notably in the short-run), but pls do go into it with "eyes wide open".

i'm glade that things worked out for kukubird this time around, and he managed to save a few bucks.

Originally Posted by Geordie Cleaning of CCD is not cover by warranty. It will be charge at $25 per cleaning session.

i think that the official position is along the lines of "done under goodwill on a case by case basis".