Me too. I just found out my warranty ran out on March 3- :(( (No I didn't get the extended warranty)
But I completed the online request for repair - what else can I do!!
The repair center is in Texas so that's not so bad.
Under estimated repair cost it say 0.00- don't know what that is all about unless they have to look at it first to determine the cost but they were very quick to get credit card information so don't think the repair will be free.
This is the First time ever I have sent any camera in for repair-

I am lost without the camera since my 100-400 mm lens is practically glued to it and I have no other body to use that lens on.
Sigh.

You know I was putting the card in and out hoping maybe something would work and discovered I can close the door even without the card snapped in (the pressure of the door holds the card in place) and it all works. Interesting. Although I am tempted to do that I know that it needs to be fixed properly at some point- and there is no convenient time- might as well be now. Also the door is not meant to hold the card in and that added pressure might spring the door latch. Thanks for your concern. I have been lucky for a long time re camera repairs/mishaps so really have no complaints.

You know I was putting the card in and out hoping maybe something would work and discovered I can close the door even without the card snapped in (the pressure of the door holds the card in place) and it all works. Interesting. Although I am tempted to do that I know that it needs to be fixed properly at some point- and there is no convenient time- might as well be now. Also the door is not meant to hold the card in and that added pressure might spring the door latch. Thanks for your concern. I have been lucky for a long time re camera repairs/mishaps so really have no complaints.

Hmmm... it looks like Panasonic GX8 was introduced in 2015 and currently is offered with a 3 year warranty (tho previously was only 1 year)....

If your warranty is still in effect, yes it would be best to put it in the hands of an authorized repair facility. The Panasonic website might have more info to help you find one nearby... or shipping addresses at least. That should get it fixed for free... maybe just some shipping costs... and would prevent voiding the warranty.

But, in defense of independent repair shops... For other than warranty work they often can fix things just as well, faster and cheaper. Not sure about Panasonic. One exception I'm aware of in the U.S. is t Nikon repair... only because Nikon will no longer sell or supply repair parts to anyone other than their short list of authorized repairers (ostensibly to insure the quality of repairs, though I suspect being able to dictate what's charged for repairs may be a factor, too).