Nikon vs Canon customer service (Page 4): Not sure I understand why you are complaining about customer service from Nikon. As several others said, you sent in a body to be looked at...

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

Not sure I understand why you are complaining about customer service from Nikon. As several others said, you sent in a body to be looked at and repaired, they gave you an estimate, it was cost prohibitive. Cameras are no different that any other electronics, things happen to them, they do break. Nikon did not build your camera to fail in 3 years.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

RBArt wrote:

I bought an Nikon D7100 for my wife. It was great... (show quote)

Cameras in that class are generally considered obsolete in five years. D7100 is two generations back. I know that’s unbelievable, but that’s the effective reality of a market that’s changing so rapidly. They would rather sell new ones than rip deeply into old ones and replace parts they must order from Japan.

Repair or replace... or do nothing. Your choice.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

rjaywallace wrote:

despite denials, his camera was dropped or abused.

I don't know how you can be so certain - as I've already said, I had two "low mileage" Canon Rebels fail ... and unless UPS played rugby with the package before I ever got it, I'm absolutely certain that mine were not 'abused', but processor issues emerged on each shortly after the warranty ran out! Cameras do fail! That is how life goes!!

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

" They would not do the warranty work because I bought it in the U.S. I would have
to send it to the U.S. to get repaired. Nikon would not budge, meanwhile the shooting costs were going up by the minute. "

Well that explains Nikons grey market policy. Tit for tat. You won't service Nikon within the US unless bought there so ditto outside the US.
This tells me that Nikon US is not owned or controlled by Nikon but by a bunch of capitalists. Classic capitalist policies. Otherwise a reputable manufacturer wouldn't shoot itself in the foot by not servicing their own models.

We are Nikon owners and have almost the same issues here. If I was starting over from scratch I would look at other hardware.
In the past when buying laptops we bought those with International warranties solely because they could/would be repaired anywhere in the world so that we weren't caught out.
This meant making sure that purchased laptops models were also sold in those countries but this doesn't apply with camera models.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Canon wi service Gray Market but charge and not honor Gray Market Warranty PS they also sell parts to non company good service centers.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

rehess wrote:

I don't know how you can be so certain - as I've already said, I had two "low mileage" Canon Rebels fail ... and unless UPS played rugby with the package before I ever got it, I'm absolutely certain that mine were not 'abused', but processor issues emerged on each shortly after the warranty ran out! Cameras do fail! That is how life goes!!

If your Canon cameras were purchased from a major vender (e.g., a manufacturer or the “big three”), I would have fully documented the purchase and sent the details to the vendor with an explanation. No guarantee, but I’ll bet the vendor would have responded with concessions to honor the spirit of customer service. Most vendors are pretty decent that way, including oft maligned Nikon. As stated above, Nikon doesn’t build cameras to fail in three years - something else is going on.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

My Nikon failed as it was taken out of the sealed box. They all can make a defective camera, it's how they respond. Nkons response to me kept me with Canon.

bellgamin Loc: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

boberic wrote:

No different than any other machine. It can and will break. Only question is when. Then it's a financial decision.

The exception is my Zippo lighter. Bought it circa 1943, & it's still working. About 75 years of use!! I quit smoking 18 years ago, but still use that lighter to light up a grill.

Brent Rowlett Loc: Atlanta, GA

rjaywallace wrote:

If your Canon cameras were purchased from a major vender (e.g., a manufacturer or the “big three”), I would have fully documented the purchase and sent the details to the vendor with an explanation. No guarantee, but I’ll bet the vendor would have responded with concessions to honor the spirit of customer service. Most vendors are pretty decent that way, including oft maligned Nikon. As stated above, Nikon doesn’t build cameras to fail in three years - something else is going on.

Spot On! Deal with B&H Photo Video. They have so much power over the camera manufacturers that they do not sweat the small potato nickel dime dealers and warranty small print. Smart Jewish businessmen know how to take care of customers. Nikon would not want to screw the biggest reseller of their products in the country. They have made everything right with me for 20 years!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

rjaywallace wrote:

If your Canon cameras were purchased from a major vender (e.g., a manufacturer or the “big three”), I would have fully documented the purchase and sent the details to the vendor with an explanation. No guarantee, but I’ll bet the vendor would have responded with concessions to honor the spirit of customer service. Most vendors are pretty decent that way, including oft maligned Nikon. As stated above, Nikon doesn’t build cameras to fail in three years - something else is going on.

Wasn't worth the bother. I purchased a Pentax K-30.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

chrissybabe wrote:

" They would not do the warranty work because... (show quote)

The story of Nikon USA is an old one. Used to be EPOI, changed hands years ago. It is basically a franchise. You buy it from Nikon, like buying a McDonald's Restaurant franchise. You buy it from McDonald's, you cannot set prices but you can set up distribution networks.
I was a Pro years ago, I bought Nikon USA cause if something went wrong I could get it fixed quick. I knew the rules going in and I was willing to pay a little more in exchange for service. It is really up to the buyer, "you can pay me now or pay me later". It is no one's fault but the buyer. It is as simple as that. If you want something, you have to pay for it.

MidnightManiac

I'm a Canon owner and have never had a problem with their customer service. Have used it a few times under warranty and not under warranty. I find their prices for repair fair. 2 Years ago sent a video camera in for repair, they called me on the phone to discuss the issue (the call surprised me) and said it was under the warranty. 3 months ago I sent my old 5D1 with over 98,000 clicks on it for a tuneup. It needed a sensor cleaning and another issue I had with the auto focus. Got an email from them with in 24 hours after receiving it explaining what needed to be done and the price for the repairs. They also put my camera through their many test points to check if any other issues. 24 hours later my camera was on its way home. Their customer service is the best IMO as they keep you posted each step they take. Yes it cost me $150.00 but my camera works as new and to me worth getting it tuned up and the auto focus fixed...Yep it's old but doesn't mean it dead and is one of my favorite Canons I own...

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

RBArt wrote:

I bought an Nikon D7100 for my wife. It was great... (show quote)

I haven’t had a new Nikon since my FE2. My previous F was out of warranty by 20+ years. My current D7100 was a factory refurb. Point is, that I’ve never dealt with Nikon customer service or repair directly. I’ve always gone to my local Nikon-authorised repair facility. Fortunately I work about ten minutes away from one. And I’ve always been well taken care of by them.

I can’t speak about Canon as we only have a Canon point-and-shoot and if and when IT dies, it’ll just get tossed and we’ll get another one.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Brent Rowlett wrote:

Spot On! Deal with B&H Photo Video. They have so much power over the camera manufacturers that they do not sweat the small potato nickel dime dealers and warranty small print. Smart Jewish businessmen know how to take care of customers. Nikon would not want to screw the biggest reseller of their products in the country. They have made everything right with me for 20 years!

I edited my original comment. I changed my mind. I WILL get on your case for your comment. Completely inappropriate to refer to B&H Photo (or Adorama or any such stores) as being “Smart Jewish businessmen”. Why was that even important to mention their religious affiliation? What were you thinking when you brought it up?

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

burkphoto wrote:

Cameras in that class are generally considered obsolete in five years. D7100 is two generations back. I know that’s unbelievable, but that’s the effective reality of a market that’s changing so rapidly. They would rather sell new ones than rip deeply into old ones and replace parts they must order from Japan.

Repair or replace... or do nothing. Your choice.

I bought a refurb D7100 because I didn’t think that a D7200 was worth a few hundred dollars more for some minor (for me, anyway) additional or improved features. The D7100 suits me just fine. I really don’t need anything more than a D90, but the deal I got for the refurb D7100 was less than a new (if you could find one) D90.

By the way, as for the D7100 being “two generations back”, a professional photographer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Mike Meadows, still uses a D80 with a Tamron 18-270. So, it goes to show that one does not need top-of-the-line cutting edge gear to get the great shots.