What’s Your Preference?

amy_bb · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 11:11 AM

A series of ridiculous, almost indescribable, unfortunate events concluded with me dropping my brand, spanking new d7000 in my driveway. My cement, driveway. It had to do w/rubber boots, a mouse and my teenager. If you want the whole, stupid story, I'd be glad to share but since it makes me look pretty stupid, I'll refrain for now.

The most obvious damage is that the top, smaller LCD screen is cracked and the liquid crystal stuff has leaked into a black blob about halfway into the screen. The remainder of this top screen will still show a useable readout.

There is no other visible damage to the camera. The back LCD screen is completely untouched. I've taken numerous pictures on all settings w/mutliple lenses and all seems to be working fine.

Here's my question(s):

What has anyone's experience been w/Nikon repair? How long does it usually take? Looks like you just mail it in w/a packing slip of sorts and wait for an estimate? (Yes, I know I will have to pay for this). How is their turnaround? Customer service? (I have no repair centers anywhere near where I live). How were their repair costs?

If this was the only damage to your camera, would you bother having it repaired? I know it would have less of a resale value if I don't repair it, but as of right now I don't plan to sell it.

***THWACK**** I am an idiot...

Cold · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 11:20 AM

I've never had anything so...extensive...done, but last winter, I did send in a lens with a bad VR unit. It was still under warranty, so I can't comment as to price, but the turnaround was surprising. I was only without a lens for about 10 days total, from the time I put it in the mail to the time I got it back.

I understand that such a problem as yours may take longer, but that's my experience with Nikon repair.

arlon · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 01:42 PM

I know this is too late but I do keep a "specific item" ryder on my home owners insurance policy for all of my more expensive camera gear (bodies, bigger lenses and such). It 100% "no fault" replacement coverage and doesn't cost very much in the grand scheme of things.
It just makes more more comfortable knowing it's covered even if I just get mad at the camera and toss it out the window.. Might look into a policy for your next one.. )-:}

amy_bb · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlon

I know this is too late but I do keep a "specific item" ryder on my home owners insurance policy for all of my more expensive camera gear (bodies, bigger lenses and such). It 100% "no fault" replacement coverage and doesn't cost very much in the grand scheme of things.
It just makes more more comfortable knowing it's covered even if I just get mad at the camera and toss it out the window.. Might look into a policy for your next one.. )-:}

Thanks for the advice. My husband likes to keep our insurance deductible in the thousands s unless I have to replace the whole camera or you can set the deductible to $0 for rider items I am not sure that would work. I had looked into a seperate full coverage policy thru Mack but at the time I thought it would be too expensive. In retrospect it would have most likely paid for the repair. :-(

arlon · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amy_bb

Thanks for the advice. My husband likes to keeo our insurance deductible in the thousands si unless I have to replace the whole camera or you can set the deductible to $0 for rider items I am not sure that would work. I had looked into a seperate full coverage policy thru Mack but at the time I thought it would be too expensive. In retrospect it would have most lukely paid for the repair. :-(

The rider from a home owners police on a "valuable personal property" (can be anything but guns) has zero deductable. It's 100% cost replacement, doesn't even consider depreciation.. For about $12k of gear coverage it costs me $130/year (each piece of equipment individually listed and valued). It's worth $10 a month for the peace of mind. I rolled a lens off my lap onto the concrete. They had a new lens from their buying service delivered to me in three days.. I didn't even pay postage..

amy_bb · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arlon

The rider from a home owners police on a "valuable personal property" (can be anything but guns) has zero deductable. It's 100% cost replacement, doesn't even consider depreciation.. For about $12k of gear coverage it costs me $130/year (each piece of equipment individually listed and valued). It's worth $10 a month for the peace of mind. I rolled a lens off my lap onto the concrete. They had a new lens from their buying service delivered to me in three days.. I didn't even pay postage..

Arlon-that's a great idea and I will look into it. I can call my local agent and see what the rider pricing is.

Guess it would be fraud to take out the insurance now and then make the claim, right? (this stated by a woman married to a lawyer----who specializes in insurance defense...heh..)

Going back to the original question for a minute...Nikon's repair service? timing? prices?

gfinlayson · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 10:02 PM

Not sure on how things are your side of the pond, but I've had two Nikon repairs carried out this year in the UK. One was a paid-for lens repair, which took just over three weeks, the other was a warranty repair for a failed LCD on a D700 - that took just 15 days. I wouldn't expect a busted top LCD would be much more than a couple of hundred dollars, and if the parts are in stock, no more than a couple of weeks turnaround.

Tzetsin · #8 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 10:16 PM

coming from a computer repair background I can tell you the actual cost of the lcd to be "maybe" 5 - 40 dollars for a similar size and technology lcd. Nikon pays a whooooole bunch less than that for em.

they're also extremely simple to replace. The repair will consist of Nikon opening the camera, pulling the ribbon cable off the lcd, putting same ribbon cable back on the replacement and putting it back together. It will be a very simple repair. If it costs you more than 100 including shipping then Nikon is really really overcharging you.

I say phone nikon and ask for a quote. Or just send it in an get it done.

gfinlayson · #9 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 10:20 PM

Knowing Nikon though, they won't simply replace the LCD, they'll check and test the body to make sure everything else is working as it should. That's why I reckon you're into a couple of hundred...