rxmd
May contain traces of nut
In a year or two we'll probably have the same kind of thread about how Sherry is swamped with work and it takes ages for her to get something done and how everybody should send stuff to Youxin Ye instead. (Or to DAG for that matter.)
Myself, I will take my M5 for a CLA to Kamera Service Ostkreuz in a couple of days. So guys, don't swamp them with work, I need them.
Myself, I will take my M5 for a CLA to Kamera Service Ostkreuz in a couple of days. So guys, don't swamp them with work, I need them.
wjlapier
Well-known
It's all about managing expectations. Usually you underpromise and overdeliver, customer happy. Also in this day people expect an email or whatever with updates, quickly. It would be good if Don had some sort of management system where people can see their status on web or something, like by serial number or whatever. Or hire an admin person for email only and raise prices by 20%!
My M6 took close to one year to fix (loose RF prism and broken meter, nothing too major, but that was just my assessment). First I emailed/called every three months, then in the end once a month. When I got a response it was courteous and to the point. In the very end I realised he was waiting for a used spare part to come up to save buying it expensively new (meter board) - much appreciated, but of course while waiting I did not know that. Managing expectations.
On the plus side, when I finally received the camera back it was like having bought a "new" used camera, without spending too much money. And I did not have to bake a 1st anniversary cake
I think for bodies I would only deal with the premier league and buy a second body in the meantime. Lenses and conversions can often be done elsewhere.
This might be my circumstance. I wanted the visoflex III mount for my Canon 50/.95 conversion. Might just be waiting for the right piece to come available and be affordable. I read somewhere that he does exhausted testing on these conversions.
I'm not angry or anything like that. I was a little disappointed but not anymore. I have a camera and lens and can still take pictures.
Mephiloco
Well-known
I got my M2 back from Don and couldn't be happier. I'm kind of broke at the moment and couldn't get the overhaul I needed, just the fix to put it into working order. Don ended up lubing some stuff inside and cleaning the rangefinder etc on top of the repairs I needed at no choice, writing on the receipt that it was just too dry so he went ahead and lubed the shutters etc.
Yeah it took a little longer than I thought it would, but other than that I have no complaints.
Yeah it took a little longer than I thought it would, but other than that I have no complaints.
JohnyD
Member
sounds like he can try out all kinds of lenses without paying ^^^
aconcepcion
Newbie
My recent experience with DAG was very positive...
My recent experience with DAG was very positive...
Just wanted to add my 2 cents.
I sent Don my Leica IIIf a few weeks ago; it arrived at his place on September 1. I emailed to let him know I needed the camera back (in Japan) by September 25, as I was planning a trip to China and wanted to take the camera with me.
Don performed a CLA, replaced the beamsplitter, and installed a covering from cameraleather.com. The camera arrived at my office in Tokyo yesterday morning, September 24. It looks and feels fantastic; I couldn't be happier with Don's work and responsiveness.
My recent experience with DAG was very positive...
Just wanted to add my 2 cents.
I sent Don my Leica IIIf a few weeks ago; it arrived at his place on September 1. I emailed to let him know I needed the camera back (in Japan) by September 25, as I was planning a trip to China and wanted to take the camera with me.
Don performed a CLA, replaced the beamsplitter, and installed a covering from cameraleather.com. The camera arrived at my office in Tokyo yesterday morning, September 24. It looks and feels fantastic; I couldn't be happier with Don's work and responsiveness.
Attachments
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
I did send Don my M4-2. I may call him next week, just to inquire if he got it, and to alert him to my needs.
However, I can wait on the camera until December.
We'll see...
However, I can wait on the camera until December.
We'll see...
bobkonos
Well-known
This thread has me thinking of sending it elsewhere, but my past experiences with Don mean that on Monday I will post to Don my mint Canon VT deLuxe for a partial CLA to correct the shutter speeds. I expect to wait awhile and eventually receive a beautifully working camera.
aconcepcion: your blue IIIf is stunning!
aconcepcion: your blue IIIf is stunning!
scottgee1
RF renegade
Keepin' it real
Keepin' it real
As I read through this thread, I was hoping someone would make this point except I disagree about necessarily forcing a price increase.
Some people have a knack for administrative work, others don't. Those who own/run businesses and don't are well advised to hire someone who does because the efficiencies they can bring to workflow can more than make up for what they're paid.
I've dealt with a local guy for service since the '70s. He's quite skilled and very pleasant. He worked for a store initially, then out of his home, then had his own store (with a counter person) and is now back to his home. When he had help and could just do the work, he was as reliable as an atomic clock. As soon as he tries to be a one man band, it's PITA time.
One other pattern I've noticed -- the quality of work performed by two formerly excellent repair people in my area has declined significantly as they have gotten older. One was a Rollei specialist, factory trained. In his prime he was one of the best but after he 'retired' and shut his store and started working out of his home, quality began to slip and his reputation got so bad that the only customers he had were new ones. The rest of us gave up after we had to pay other repair people to fix his mistakes.
It's a tough business. As a customer, I'm glad we now have the Internet to allow real-time communication so we can compare notes.
Keepin' it real
As I read through this thread, I was hoping someone would make this point except I disagree about necessarily forcing a price increase.
Some people have a knack for administrative work, others don't. Those who own/run businesses and don't are well advised to hire someone who does because the efficiencies they can bring to workflow can more than make up for what they're paid.
I've dealt with a local guy for service since the '70s. He's quite skilled and very pleasant. He worked for a store initially, then out of his home, then had his own store (with a counter person) and is now back to his home. When he had help and could just do the work, he was as reliable as an atomic clock. As soon as he tries to be a one man band, it's PITA time.
One other pattern I've noticed -- the quality of work performed by two formerly excellent repair people in my area has declined significantly as they have gotten older. One was a Rollei specialist, factory trained. In his prime he was one of the best but after he 'retired' and shut his store and started working out of his home, quality began to slip and his reputation got so bad that the only customers he had were new ones. The rest of us gave up after we had to pay other repair people to fix his mistakes.
It's a tough business. As a customer, I'm glad we now have the Internet to allow real-time communication so we can compare notes.
scottgee1
RF renegade
Hacker
黑客
I had a lens returned to me from DAG after more than 7 months a few days ago, in what was was not to take more than 1 month. My younger sister who lives in CA, had to call so many times, and in the end, the lens was returned to me without anything done to it. The only consolation was that DAG did not charge me any returned shipping.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
I must be lucky... three days ago I got an e-mail from him (in reply to one I had sent him a week earlier), about my M4-2. He did the repair we spoke about and some more, detailed charges, parts replaced, and offered to test the camera the following day and ship it afterwards.
Usually, he reminds me that payment is due, but he didn't do it this time. I'm ready to Paypal the funds to him as soon as he replies.
Should have bought a lottery ticket... Bummer.
Usually, he reminds me that payment is due, but he didn't do it this time. I'm ready to Paypal the funds to him as soon as he replies.
Should have bought a lottery ticket... Bummer.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I just got back two lenses from Don after many months and one of them nearly a year. It was worth the wait. The conversion was perfect and focusing was spot on. I only called him twice the entire time knowing he was busy.
abenner
undecided
I sent DAG a lens recently for a simple cleaning. He told me it'd take about three weeks. That's about what it took. He promptly replied to emails. The lens returned looking good. I was pleased with the service.
gdi
Veteran
It is rare that you would get an email reply from Don. The only emails I have ever gotten were the notification that the item was complete, with how much to send.
You should call him, but not everyday.
wjlapier
Well-known
Since I started this stupid thread I finally called him. Seems he's trying to keep the cost down on the conversion. In case anyone forgot, I wanted a Canon 50/.95 converted to M, but using the Visoflex III adapter mount. I'll wait. Seems like a nice guy on the phone.