nikon service center is it too ex?

[toasty]

Hi all,

Do any of you find the Nikon servicing prices to be overly expensive? Not so long ago, I got a second hand D70 which kind of shoots photos ok when I got it, but I always thought the picture was a little bit not right. I recently compared side by side with another camera (my friend's D200, with the same lens), and the picture quality is visibly much worse than can account for by the pixel difference. I sent it for servicing at Nikon, and they want to charge me $500 to change the CCD + tuning of lens (50/1.8). I paid $750 for the system, I find it hard to accept they charge $500 to get it working optimally. They said change the CCD is $265, fix the lens is $95 and servicing fee is $140. I have tried to get them to lower the price, but they aren't budging. The 50/1.8 costs around $100 to $150, on the second hand market, don't people think $95 is a little bit too much? The CCD I can accept will be expensive, but then the servicing fee I also find it to be high. I am new to Nikon. Is this normal for Nikon servicing prices?

In my view, my choices now are to bite the bullet and pay them, or to give up on Nikon completely (I am just trying out Nikon to see how it is, so I can do that). Any advice, or suggestions?

By contrast, I sent my Canon lens for servicing several weeks ago (general servicing, and replacement of the little red dot which aligns the lens for mounting, it had fallen out when I dropped the lens), they replaced that little red dot and said my lens was fine. They didn't charge me anything. CCD cleaning in the past, they charged me $20. I feel kind of cheated to pay those prices that Nikon is asking.

[mcn]

best solution is to switch camp

cloesest camp to your district is FUJI.

now you have been told

period

[nikonrus]

maybe u can try sending yr D70 to cannon for CCD cleaning? :P

OT, you think that's bad? BMW cars engineering is good, but try sending your BMW (if you own one) for service. Parts are reasonably price, but workmanship is crazy expensive! And you don't want to know about horror stories I've heard from the bike service dept. Somehow it's a lot better/cheaper in other countries, duno why the local agent is so bad.

[mcn]

if u want, you can tell me about it

Originally Posted by nikonrus And you don't want to know about horror stories I've heard from the bike service dept.

[photographique]

D70 underexposure is common prob...NSC just want to earn you bucks...don't listen...they really SUCK...not only because of that...

I just don't think your D70 got anything wrong one...

[toasty]

Originally Posted by mcn best solution is to switch camp cloesest camp to your district is FUJI. now you have been told period

I already have a Canon system. I wanted to try out Nikon to see what it was like, and because it wasn't too expensive on the second hand market, so I'm not gonna switch to Fuji. I'll just keep using the Canon system.

Nikonrus, so you're saying that the prices are normal for Nikon servicing?

[toasty]

Originally Posted by photographique D70 underexposure is common prob...NSC just want to earn you bucks...don't listen...they really SUCK...not only because of that... I just don't think your D70 got anything wrong one...

I think there is something wrong with the CCD. the picture is much worse when viewed at 100% side by side. The colour from some pixels seem to leak into neighbouring pixels in high contrast/high frequency areas of the photo. It isn't the lens, because the photo is fine on the D200.

[photographique]

Originally Posted by toasty I think there is something wrong with the CCD. the picture is much worse when viewed at 100% side by side. The colour from some pixels seem to leak into neighbouring pixels in high contrast/high frequency areas of the photo. It isn't the lens, because the photo is fine on the D200.

Not exactly sure, but remember D70 is older...much older, first generation one...so can't expect so much.

I use both D70, and D200, and the diff is of course obvious to me, and I don't complain at all...cuz they are meant to be like that wat...

[vince123123]

Yes, I agree, they are blood money suckers. There's this situation: On an MBD200, to replace the two side battery hooks (tiny white plastics) and the rear battery catch (tiny piece of metal), NSC says the total cost is S$80.00. Now, you compare the price to a new MBD200....and see the disproportionality - just like your 50mm case.

[Lmodel]

Originally Posted by mcn best solution is to switch camp cloesest camp to your district is FUJI. now you have been told period

Switching of camps doesnt solve the problem.

Body yes, how about lens? You are asking him to switch all to tamron, sigma, tokina, etc?

[photographique]

Originally Posted by vince123123 Yes, I agree, they are blood money suckers. There's this situation: On an MBD200, to replace the two side battery hooks (tiny white plastics) and the rear battery catch (tiny piece of metal), NSC says the total cost is S$80.00. Now, you compare the price to a new MBD200....and see the disproportionality - just like your 50mm case.

Yup...Vince, rememeber Matt...?

He changed the rubber grip...the whole thing a few times (or 2-3) at NSC...and he even had found that chewing gum was used to glue them, that was why they came off again and again......and then they charge because of too many times servicing it...

NSC...CMI...K**... ...

[ryuggen]

I 2nd TS's opinion on NSC service charges. My lens had a fall and was sent for NSC servicing. Along, was a F90X to replace the backcover.

A few days passed, and NSC gave me a call. Lens servicing cost $340. $140 for the backcover. Total sum adds up to 480. Its not like my lens is dented or cracked, with scars all over. NSC said they are going to change the tube and glass elements....And a piece of plastic backcover costs up to $140.

For the pricing, its abit too high where servicing costs a large fraction of the cost of the lens and body. My primary concern is, the servicing ratio isnt right.


P.S. And paying for such high premium, the service is really low class.

[MashiMaro]

Originally Posted by toasty ..ou find the Nikon servicing prices to be overly expensive? ...

um, maybe it is better if nikon to close singapore office down and move to china? this would be much cheaper for you the customers?

[nikonrus]

Originally Posted by mcn if u want, you can tell me about it

I tot some gal pu**y whipped him for his constant "tell me about it"?

[lynxiger]

All these bad feedbacks yo! Now I'm darn afraid to let them touch or clean anything.

I've got my cross, raise it high in a firm grip... back up you, back up..

[toasty]

Originally Posted by MashiMaro um, maybe it is better if nikon to close singapore office down and move to china? this would be much cheaper for you the customers?

Canon doesn't seem to need to move to China to give good service and low prices. They make their money from ensuring their customer base stays with them.

[Hobbesyeo]

I think its just like how other electronic items are - its usually more expensive to fix them, as compared to buying a new one.

[mercurio]

I have a friend who used Canon and is not much more cheaper. I myself send a canon printer for servicing and it cost me $100 but the printer is only $299.

So unless there is more competition or Spore implement anti-competition laws we got to stick with the price :-(

[Hobbes234]

Im also most displeased with Nikon's service centers pricing.
i have sent my 17-55 in for servicing and guess how much it costs? whopping 330+.
And when my D2H shutter failed. Another whopping 450.
After these 2 incidents im seriously considering if i should actually switch camps.


My shooting kaki's sent their 70-200 in for servicing which cost about 100 bucks.
while servicing my 70-200 at Nikon is almost 3 times more expensive.
Even if u'd join them as a member its only 10-15% discount on labour charges.

If u guys at NSC are reading... I seriously hope u do something bout it

[ryuggen]

Originally Posted by toasty Canon doesn't seem to need to move to China to give good service and low prices. They make their money from ensuring their customer base stays with them.

Cant agree with you more.