What are my choices?

[Breezy]

I am pissed. I posted over a month ago about dropping my camera. Well it came back last Monday. i picked it up. get to a shoot just to find out it wasn't working. Without the lens it appears to work fine. It clicks normal etc... But as soon as I put a lens on it no matter what lens it is it starts dragging and comes up with camera error, which then has to be shut off to clear everything out. Oh and the onboard flash works but a hotshoe flash will not.
OK send it back in on a rush order. I am pissed but will deal. I got a call tonight from precision camera being informed that I won't have it back in time for tomorrows shoot, no crap you idot is what I am thinking at this point. And then she goes oh btw we couldn't duplicate the problem so we are sending it back with a note stating that. I went off. I told her not to send it back until they found the problem. And she just acted like a complete idiot. I asked if they tried it with a lens and she said Oh I don't know would like to know that. UGH YEAH! that is where the problem lies. I am pissed at this point as they are the ones who have told me 2 times now that my 7D isn't back focusing but it is. No matter what lens I use, focal point etc....
So my question is What are my options. The camera is under warranty but the store no longer carries this camera nor anything that is comperable to it. I do have insurance but I dont' want to claim it there if I don't have to. Since that was the point in the warranty in the first place.

And has anyone else had issues with Precision Camera repairs?

[venchka]

I can think of one option. It might involve jail time.

Good luck! I would start demanding a replacement. In person. Loudly. In front of prospective customers.

[Breezy]

Wayne let me hear the jail time option. I have already told dh when I took it in last week he may have to come get me. lol
I have no problem showing myself if the need arises. So I guess i should call precision and then go to the store. Would get me futher. So if ya'll see some crazy navy wife being arrested tomorrow I will need someone to come bail me out as dh will be stuck on the ship as the CO has been relieved of his duties as of today lol And there is a whole big thing going down on there. So I am sure he would say "sorry honey I can't leave right now".
I just didn't know if demanding a replacement would be over the top. They offered me a canon the other day. I said you gonna buy all of my lenses and back up camera too? They looked at me like I was nuts. I said my lenses and flashes won't work on a Canon nor a Nikon. So I may be SOL. with the store.
Would I be better off calling the corporate office or going into the store?

[shnitz]

Do you have an aversion to sending cameras back to the manufacturer to repair, or do you have a grey-market model? Every time I have dealt with Canon or Nikon, I have been impressed (Canon more so than Nikon, but still happy with both), so I recommend sending the camera back to them instead of dealing with a third party. I don't know Sony very well, do they outsource their SLR repair? I understand your frustration that the repair shop won't even take the minimal time to diagnose the problem, considering you just had to send it back.

[Breezy]

No Ariel I don't have a problem with sending it to Sony but it was purchased at BB as at the time in Corpus that was the only place to buy anything camera related. So under their warranty it apparently has to go to PC. I have dealt with PC before with the minolta and they were the only authorized place. I am not sure. I will be pitching a fit though. I am up and at ready to make my calls. Gotta find out what time they open, as I have a homecoming shoot at 11. And the nearest store is in VA Beach. So atleast 20 mins each way plus the extra 10 to the base. I will post what I find out.

[groovyone]

Which Precision are you sending it to? (is there more than one?)

Shoot me a PM. I have a contact at one who helped me when my A100 went in for IR work, and many Sony shooters have received amazing help from him. PC is an authorized Sony repair center, at least the one I am thinking of is.

PMing you the contact info. He has been an incredible help to many, and typically answers emails quickly. Just calmly explain your situation, decribe what has been happening, and let him kno wthey are planning on sending it back as is.

[Breezy]

Thanks Keith I pmed you back

[groovyone]

Hopefully that will help. Be sure to keep everyone posted.

[Breezy]

Thanks Keith, just spoke with the contact. And he said he knows what the error is and will get it fixed. Something about they test it witht he kit lens and that the aperture won't open up wide enough. I will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again.

[groovyone]

Awesome!

[dmcantrell]

These are the types of threads that make me happy I found this place.

[Breezy]

you are very right David and the fact that people are "willing" to help. The VA photo board up here was a complete joke and they were rude. Not helpful at all.
The meetup groups seem to be better but I have only been to one lol. But there isn't discussion like this there.

Also anyone have suggestions on the 7D. I sent it in to the same PC 2 different times. The camera backfocuses 95% of the time unless the frame is completely filled it backfocuses and somestimes is still off when frame is filled. They sent it back both times that there is nothing wrong with it. I just tossed it in the bag and left it. But since I have been using it the past month and a half I notice it again. So should I talk to the source Keith and see what he can do? Or would it be possible to send it in and get it converted to IR? I am interested in that. And how much on average does that run? Sorry for all of the questions.

[groovyone]

They could match it up to a lens you send. The IR conversion was cheap, I think $250 + shipping, which was better than most, and since they are an authorized Sony repair center, they are pros at working with the Steady Shot.

Tony (tc95) can probably tell you some tales of sending a Sony/Minolta to someone else to get it converted.

[Breezy]

Thanks keith, did that once before and it still sucks lol. I may talk with contact once the A700 is taken care of and see what happens. Thanks again for all of the help

[tukaniray]

Wow just read this whole thread ...

Good to know you are getting things squared away ...

Good Luck.

-Ray-