Your opinion on TCW

Obzervr · 10th July 2003

Hi,

need some opinion w.r.t TCW.

Scenario,
I sent a coolpix 800 in to TCW sometime mid june 03 for an estimation for repairs to the control dial with specific instructions to estimate the cost of replacement to the control dial. The assured me that I would be inform in one week. Come one week, still no news, Called them up, said that not back from the technicians yet, second week.. I made a trip down to TCW ... same answer. Yesterday morning, I called again, said the same thing also mentioning that they are waiting for the parts only then can estimate acurately. Suddenly, in the afternoon, a lady from TCW called and said, your camera is ready for collection, very cheap $95 only.

The problem is, I have a CP990. I had put off repairing the CP800 for a while and had a budget of $70 for repairs or else I'd sell the camera off to my friend and let him handle the repairs. Now, it seems that not only that the repair proceeded without my consent, the price is beyond my budget (cp800 is only a 2MP) and even if I sell it off after repair, it may not be worth the while. ergghh. I learnt from reading the forum pages that TCW seem to be the more trustworthy place to deal (thats why I went there in the first place), now its a bit dissapointing.

Any suggestion to offer. (my sister was furious (typical marketing student i guess) when she heard this, insisted that I go to case ... as for me, I do not have the energy or strength to go through that process.) Anyway, from this experience, I may consider going to other places for future repairs? Any suggestions? Heard that prime camera is good alternative?

&

Thank You and Best Regards

weg · 10th July 2003

hmmm I had an experience with them before too... found a crack in the plastic near the film plane area and sent to them for quotation. There was also delays and in the end I went to the shop to take back my camera. Found out that dunno what they did, but the crack became that small piece of plastic being chipped off.

Didnt pursue as I sold the cam to someone and he said he'll handle the repair.

clive · 11th July 2003

they are still businessmen

sadness · 11th July 2003

erm...
first thing first...

maybe this should be in other forum??

me no problem wth TCW too by the way!

yeah babe yeah!!!

hongsien · 11th July 2003

Seems that you did ask for an estimation, which they didn't give you in the end. Luckily it is not a big sum. Prime usually gives you an estimation (the owner is a good repairman himself), mostly on the spot. At TCW, Don's wife usually takes some of the repairs herself, while others are given to a repairman.

I usually go to a small shop called camix at the same building of TCW but at the other end, opposite the coffeeshop. The repairman is very good and can give estimations (most of the times he is cheaper, specially for older mechanical cameras), he is slow though as he has many repair jobs to do.

Since you have paid them at the end, there is not much you can do now. Take it as an experience.

Hong Sien

kex · 11th July 2003

sent in my FM for shutter repair to TCW once,was told after 2 weeks they had no parts for it

after collecting it back,i went to camera hospital at sunshine plaza to enquiry about the repair,the boss there quoted me $160 for it and it was ready in a week.
Wonder y TCW are not able to repair it.

Obzervr · 13th July 2003

Hi,

I went to TCW earlier to 'discuss' on the outcome of my coolpix 800 & why I wasn't notified about the repairs although what I asked was an estimate. Initially, the young guy was apologetic but could not decide on what to do, but I can see that he was sincere when he said that he did not know what happened.

Then the familiar man (never did asked for his name) came into the picture, we negotiated and he offered to reduce the final cost down to $80. I was agreeable to that as it was not far off from my budget.

I mentioned that I was disapointed to be kept in the dark and such episode shouldn't have happened. I guess TCW do aim to maintain customer confidence, just that, not all staff there are blessed with negotiating power.

After experiencing all that, I think, TCW will still be in my A list for repair needs after two repairs transactions with them (the first one when I sent in my dad's old FE2 for complete servcing about 3 yrs back). Having said that, it may not be fair to judge as I have yet to try out other centres (with the exception on Nikon service center - where the technician there even wrongly assesed the fault to the coolpix 800, and Prime Camera where I sent the FE2 for some parts replacement)

Thanks and Best Regards

Winston · 15th July 2003

Well glad it ended well.

Never dealed with TCW before though heard a lot about it.

Good to know there is a trustworthy 2nd hand shop out there to get some supplies if needed.

Never know they did repairs, thought they only buy and sell 2nd hand stuff.

cyrilng · 15th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Obzervr
Hi,

I went to TCW earlier to 'discuss' on the outcome of my coolpix 800 & why I wasn't notified about the repairs although what I asked was an estimate. Initially, the young guy was apologetic but could not decide on what to do, but I can see that he was sincere when he said that he did not know what happened.

Then the familiar man (never did asked for his name) came into the picture, we negotiated and he offered to reduce the final cost down to $80. I was agreeable to that as it was not far off from my budget.

I mentioned that I was disapointed to be kept in the dark and such episode shouldn't have happened. I guess TCW do aim to maintain customer confidence, just that, not all staff there are blessed with negotiating power.

After experiencing all that, I think, TCW will still be in my A list for repair needs after two repairs transactions with them (the first one when I sent in my dad's old FE2 for complete servcing about 3 yrs back). Having said that, it may not be fair to judge as I have yet to try out other centres (with the exception on Nikon service center - where the technician there even wrongly assesed the fault to the coolpix 800, and Prime Camera where I sent the FE2 for some parts replacement)

Thanks and Best Regards

That 'familiar' guy is probably Don 'The Boss' & all the staff have to consult him for the final decision on anything

Obzervr · 15th July 2003

Yup, I think so too. Been there many times but never actually did small talk or even asked for their names or even a name card... how silly.

cyrilng · 15th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Obzervr
Yup, I think so too. Been there many times but never actually did small talk or even asked for their names or even a name card... how silly.

The other skinny guy is Daniel.

I myself have been patronisisng CP for 10 years but still not sure of the all the sales staff names that I've dealt with either.

rapidmax · 15th July 2003

I am very fine with TCW. Daniel is very helpful. The other guy (short and bulkier) is a bit uncertain of stuff (he is not as expert as Daniel).

I don't really like the boss though, he seems a bit... how to say? unfriendly?

Anyway, good experience so far with them!

cyanbloodbane · 18th July 2003

On the contrary, I find Don to be the friendliest and he give the best deal

Quote:

Originally posted by rapidmax
I am very fine with TCW. Daniel is very helpful. The other guy (short and bulkier) is a bit uncertain of stuff (he is not as expert as Daniel).

I don't really like the boss though, he seems a bit... how to say? unfriendly?

Anyway, good experience so far with them!

cyrilng · 18th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by cyanbloodbane
On the contrary, I find Don to be the friendliest and he give the best deal

Must get him in good mood

Ansel · 22nd July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Winston
Well glad it ended well.

Never dealed with TCW before though heard a lot about it.

Good to know there is a trustworthy 2nd hand shop out there to get some supplies if needed.

Never know they did repairs, thought they only buy and sell 2nd hand stuff.

Actually when I started dealing with TCW in the eighties, they were primarily a repair shop and selling 2nd stuff was secondary. That's why it's called The Camera Workshop. But I think nowadays, they are just too busy dealing with 2nd cameras that the forgot their original calling.

For Obzervr case, I think TCW is definitely in the wrong, ASSUMING that Obzervr has revealed the whole truth and has not withheld any other vital facts of the case from us.

I wonder what Don has to say about this.

Zerstorer · 22nd July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by rapidmax
I am very fine with TCW. Daniel is very helpful. The other guy (short and bulkier) is a bit uncertain of stuff (he is not as expert as Daniel).

I don't really like the boss though, he seems a bit... how to say? unfriendly?

Anyway, good experience so far with them!

The bulkier guy is Andrew.

kh_drew · 24th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Zerstorer
The bulkier guy is Andrew.

hmm, thought the bulky guy's name is Nicholas? Andrew is the fairer guy, seems quite unsure of the stuff. Nicholas is pretty knowledgable methinks.

Ansel · 24th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by kh_drew
hmm, thought the bulky guy's name is Nicholas? Andrew is the fairer guy, seems quite unsure of the stuff. Nicholas is pretty knowledgable methinks.

Nicholas or Nick, is extremely knowledgeable in everything, Nikon, Canon, Leica, you name it. But he is not as friendly as Don himself and not that approachable. Don normally gives me better price cos I knew him since the Excelsior days. But Don is seldom around nowadays and so you are left with Nick to deal with.

sadness · 24th July 2003

u know wat people say about those supposedly more knowledgable than the average people...
don't you?

they tend to be aloof... and... perhaps... love to put others down with wat they think they already know and u don't know. you know what i mean, don't u??

but i guess, when u're that good, of cos it warrants u to be abit... cocky.

but humility is indeed a very very rare virtue... esp. in the time we are in.

yeah babe yeah!!

Dagger · 24th July 2003

Err... am ok so far with the dealings with TCW for the past years, over 6/7+ years. All have been rather good and they are a helpful.
I normally bug Daniel, Becky , Don & Nick.

As for repairs, according to some manufacturers , generally, digicams are much more tricky compared to SLRs as they one unit on it's own certain components are rather hard to fix.

Just my 2 cents worth ...

No flames please.

10th July 2003	#1
Obzervr Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Khatib - Singapore Posts: 351	Your opinion on TCW Hi, need some opinion w.r.t TCW. Scenario, I sent a coolpix 800 in to TCW sometime mid june 03 for an estimation for repairs to the control dial with specific instructions to estimate the cost of replacement to the control dial. The assured me that I would be inform in one week. Come one week, still no news, Called them up, said that not back from the technicians yet, second week.. I made a trip down to TCW ... same answer. Yesterday morning, I called again, said the same thing also mentioning that they are waiting for the parts only then can estimate acurately. Suddenly, in the afternoon, a lady from TCW called and said, your camera is ready for collection, very cheap $95 only. The problem is, I have a CP990. I had put off repairing the CP800 for a while and had a budget of $70 for repairs or else I'd sell the camera off to my friend and let him handle the repairs. Now, it seems that not only that the repair proceeded without my consent, the price is beyond my budget (cp800 is only a 2MP) and even if I sell it off after repair, it may not be worth the while. ergghh. I learnt from reading the forum pages that TCW seem to be the more trustworthy place to deal (thats why I went there in the first place), now its a bit dissapointing. Any suggestion to offer. (my sister was furious (typical marketing student i guess) when she heard this, insisted that I go to case ... as for me, I do not have the energy or strength to go through that process.) Anyway, from this experience, I may consider going to other places for future repairs? Any suggestions? Heard that prime camera is good alternative? & Thank You and Best Regards

15th July 2003	#8
Winston Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 663	Well glad it ended well. Never dealed with TCW before though heard a lot about it. Good to know there is a trustworthy 2nd hand shop out there to get some supplies if needed. Never know they did repairs, thought they only buy and sell 2nd hand stuff. Last edited by Winston; 15th July 2003 at 09:13 PM.

24th July 2003	#20
Dagger Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,294	Err... am ok so far with the dealings with TCW for the past years, over 6/7+ years. All have been rather good and they are a helpful. I normally bug Daniel, Becky , Don & Nick. As for repairs, according to some manufacturers , generally, digicams are much more tricky compared to SLRs as they one unit on it's own certain components are rather hard to fix. Just my 2 cents worth ... No flames please. Last edited by Dagger; 24th July 2003 at 05:33 PM.

10th July 2003	#2
weg Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: WSSS Posts: 728	hmmm I had an experience with them before too... found a crack in the plastic near the film plane area and sent to them for quotation. There was also delays and in the end I went to the shop to take back my camera. Found out that dunno what they did, but the crack became that small piece of plastic being chipped off. Didnt pursue as I sold the cam to someone and he said he'll handle the repair.

11th July 2003	#3
clive Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,573	they are still businessmen

11th July 2003	#4
sadness Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York, New York! Posts: 468	erm... first thing first... maybe this should be in other forum?? me no problem wth TCW too by the way! yeah babe yeah!!!

11th July 2003	#5
hongsien Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 2,904	Seems that you did ask for an estimation, which they didn't give you in the end. Luckily it is not a big sum. Prime usually gives you an estimation (the owner is a good repairman himself), mostly on the spot. At TCW, Don's wife usually takes some of the repairs herself, while others are given to a repairman. I usually go to a small shop called camix at the same building of TCW but at the other end, opposite the coffeeshop. The repairman is very good and can give estimations (most of the times he is cheaper, specially for older mechanical cameras), he is slow though as he has many repair jobs to do. Since you have paid them at the end, there is not much you can do now. Take it as an experience. Hong Sien

11th July 2003	#6
kex Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: beebox Posts: 2,101	sent in my FM for shutter repair to TCW once,was told after 2 weeks they had no parts for it after collecting it back,i went to camera hospital at sunshine plaza to enquiry about the repair,the boss there quoted me $160 for it and it was ready in a week. Wonder y TCW are not able to repair it.

13th July 2003	#7
Obzervr Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Khatib - Singapore Posts: 351	Hi, I went to TCW earlier to 'discuss' on the outcome of my coolpix 800 & why I wasn't notified about the repairs although what I asked was an estimate. Initially, the young guy was apologetic but could not decide on what to do, but I can see that he was sincere when he said that he did not know what happened. Then the familiar man (never did asked for his name) came into the picture, we negotiated and he offered to reduce the final cost down to $80. I was agreeable to that as it was not far off from my budget. I mentioned that I was disapointed to be kept in the dark and such episode shouldn't have happened. I guess TCW do aim to maintain customer confidence, just that, not all staff there are blessed with negotiating power. After experiencing all that, I think, TCW will still be in my A list for repair needs after two repairs transactions with them (the first one when I sent in my dad's old FE2 for complete servcing about 3 yrs back). Having said that, it may not be fair to judge as I have yet to try out other centres (with the exception on Nikon service center - where the technician there even wrongly assesed the fault to the coolpix 800, and Prime Camera where I sent the FE2 for some parts replacement) Thanks and Best Regards

15th July 2003	#12
rapidmax Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 383	I am very fine with TCW. Daniel is very helpful. The other guy (short and bulkier) is a bit uncertain of stuff (he is not as expert as Daniel). I don't really like the boss though, he seems a bit... how to say? unfriendly? Anyway, good experience so far with them!