clarence
ダメ
Hello, I'd like to relate my experience in dealing with the official Mamiya service centre in the UK in as objective a manner as possible.
I sent my Mamiya 6MF to Johnson's Photopia about 2 months ago because the bellows would not retract. Everything else about the camera was fine. They eventually informed me that they did not have the parts to repair the camera, and returned it to me at no charge.
I received it packaged in a huge box full of packing foam. The camera, unfortunately, now had a slew of other problems. It would not fire the shutter, and the metering was haywire. The horizontal rangefinder alignment was also off. I sent it back again informing them of the new problems and requested that they do something about it.
After about a week, I called them to inquire about the status of the camera, and they told me that they had not opened it at all the previous time, and so it could not have been their fault that the camera had developed new problems. The camera was sent back to me at no charge.
This time, I received it packaged in a smaller, but nevertheless adequately sized box full of packing foam. The viewfinder glass was now cracked, the on/off switch was loose, and the camera would not power up.
I called them and spoke to a technician. He maintained that they never opened the camera, and that the damage must have been sustained in transit.
I might attempt to claim damages from the courier.
This is just to let you know about my experience. I must say that in all our correspondence, Johnson's Photopia was extremely polite and quick to respond. However, I shall not be sending anything to them again.
I do not have the funds to purchase a new Mamiya 6 camera for now, but I hope someone can make use of the non-functional body I currently have. It is in the classifieds, and I believe that the service centres in Germany, USA and Japan would have the parts necessary to repair it.
Clarence
I sent my Mamiya 6MF to Johnson's Photopia about 2 months ago because the bellows would not retract. Everything else about the camera was fine. They eventually informed me that they did not have the parts to repair the camera, and returned it to me at no charge.
I received it packaged in a huge box full of packing foam. The camera, unfortunately, now had a slew of other problems. It would not fire the shutter, and the metering was haywire. The horizontal rangefinder alignment was also off. I sent it back again informing them of the new problems and requested that they do something about it.
After about a week, I called them to inquire about the status of the camera, and they told me that they had not opened it at all the previous time, and so it could not have been their fault that the camera had developed new problems. The camera was sent back to me at no charge.
This time, I received it packaged in a smaller, but nevertheless adequately sized box full of packing foam. The viewfinder glass was now cracked, the on/off switch was loose, and the camera would not power up.
I called them and spoke to a technician. He maintained that they never opened the camera, and that the damage must have been sustained in transit.
I might attempt to claim damages from the courier.
This is just to let you know about my experience. I must say that in all our correspondence, Johnson's Photopia was extremely polite and quick to respond. However, I shall not be sending anything to them again.
I do not have the funds to purchase a new Mamiya 6 camera for now, but I hope someone can make use of the non-functional body I currently have. It is in the classifieds, and I believe that the service centres in Germany, USA and Japan would have the parts necessary to repair it.
Clarence
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
That's awful. I wish all you all the best in claiming with the courier company to get a replacement.
lubitel
Well-known
Thats terrible. I am sorry about your camera. Post office does not seem to be kind to cameras.
I had a similar experience with Sigma service in Germany although not as severe as yours. After sending them a perfectly good lens to have it updated to work on digital, they told me this particular lens could not be updated and sent it back. Since that the aperture doesnt work at all.
I had a similar experience with Sigma service in Germany although not as severe as yours. After sending them a perfectly good lens to have it updated to work on digital, they told me this particular lens could not be updated and sent it back. Since that the aperture doesnt work at all.
Sputty
Established
Geez Clarence, this is awful to hear. I'm really sorry that you've been having such difficulty getting your M6 up and running. I know how excited you were about finally having your hands on the system.
Best,
Jonathon
Best,
Jonathon
clarence
ダメ
Thanks, Jonathon. It comforts me to know that at least I still have the 50mm and 150mm lens just waiting for a body.
Clarence
Clarence
jamiewakeham
Long time lurker
Clarence,
Was the box you recieved it back in the same box you sent it away in? This sounds to me like the couriers are not the ones at fault. Why on earth would a service centre who could make money out of you not bother to take a look at te camera at all? And if they didn't look, how could they have known that they didn't have the part? Hell, do they even know what was in the box?
I'm also in Oxford, and have no small experience of using the small claims court. email me (jamiewakeham@hotmail.com) if you'd like a hand with drafting letters, etc.
Hope this all works out
Jamie
Was the box you recieved it back in the same box you sent it away in? This sounds to me like the couriers are not the ones at fault. Why on earth would a service centre who could make money out of you not bother to take a look at te camera at all? And if they didn't look, how could they have known that they didn't have the part? Hell, do they even know what was in the box?
I'm also in Oxford, and have no small experience of using the small claims court. email me (jamiewakeham@hotmail.com) if you'd like a hand with drafting letters, etc.
Hope this all works out
Jamie
clarence
ダメ
Hello Jamie,
The box I received it back in on both times were different boxes from the ones I sent them off in.
I'm guessing that they must really be out of parts to not want to repair my camera. As to whether they dropped the camera, maybe or maybe not.
Thanks for offering to help. I'm calling the service center again today to find out more.
Clarence
The box I received it back in on both times were different boxes from the ones I sent them off in.
I'm guessing that they must really be out of parts to not want to repair my camera. As to whether they dropped the camera, maybe or maybe not.
Thanks for offering to help. I'm calling the service center again today to find out more.
Clarence
jamiewakeham
Long time lurker
Do write down exactly when you call them and who you speak to (full names). It'll be useful later...
Jamie
Jamie
clarence
ダメ
I just called Johnson's Photopia services and they requested that I send them back the boxes with all the packaging and labels. I shall do just that.
Clarence
Clarence
jamiewakeham
Long time lurker
Call me distrustful in the extreme... but get many digital photos of the packaging first.
Jamie
Jamie
clarence
ダメ
Thanks for the advice, Jamie. I've sent the box off, but not before taking lots of pictures of it.
Does anyone know of any other place in the UK which repairs the Mamiya 6?
Clarence
Does anyone know of any other place in the UK which repairs the Mamiya 6?
Clarence
David Murphy
Veteran
I don't know if they have a "Small Claims Court" in your country, but that's where I'd taking it. I am sure you would win.
Lyrrad
Newbie
This thread certainly suggests legal action is needed. The courier is not the problem. Did you pay the courier? Your thread suggests not. There is something called 'Vicarious Liability' which basically means the carpet company cannot blame the fitter if he smashes your vase providing you have paid the carpet company. In your case you have not chosen the courier company at all. I does not matter wether work was undertaken on your camera or not. You supplied it in one condition, and it was returned in another. If the camera was looked at , smashed to the floor or just re-boxed counts for nothing. Proving the camera has been damaged away from your premesis is the problem area, but the very fact the packaging has been changed on two different instances, certainly points towards soemone at least handling the item. This is not what I gather is being suggested to you.
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clarence
ダメ
Lyrrad, you make many salient points.
To be honest, I'm not worrying myself too much about it. I shall be leaving the country in a few weeks and I somehow doubt it would be settled by then.
Clarence
To be honest, I'm not worrying myself too much about it. I shall be leaving the country in a few weeks and I somehow doubt it would be settled by then.
Clarence
Frasergjb
Member
My experience
My experience
This is my experience of Johnsons Photopia.
I had a Ricoh GR1s repaired by them under warranty. It was returned by me to the shop in which it had been purchased and then sent by them to Johnsons. They spent 3 months with it and then returned it with a bill for £80 or so because they said that the fault was caused by dirt in the lens mechanism. I paid up because I had to take their word for it and wanted the camera back.
I then used the camera for the first time at a friend's wedding (not professionally) and the two films I took came out completely out of focus. They had managed to miscalibrate the focussing mechanism (somehow). They then repaired the camera free of charge, but took a further few months. No apologies, no courtesy, no expedited service.
Meanwhile I bought one of the last new GR1v models and haven't used the original since - I consider it untrutsworth and tainted by Johnsons. I wouldn't send anything to them again. Unfortunately they are the official UK service agents to several manufacturers. Admittedly my experience showed a lack of quality control rather than actively damaging equipment!
FraserGJB
My experience
This is my experience of Johnsons Photopia.
I had a Ricoh GR1s repaired by them under warranty. It was returned by me to the shop in which it had been purchased and then sent by them to Johnsons. They spent 3 months with it and then returned it with a bill for £80 or so because they said that the fault was caused by dirt in the lens mechanism. I paid up because I had to take their word for it and wanted the camera back.
I then used the camera for the first time at a friend's wedding (not professionally) and the two films I took came out completely out of focus. They had managed to miscalibrate the focussing mechanism (somehow). They then repaired the camera free of charge, but took a further few months. No apologies, no courtesy, no expedited service.
Meanwhile I bought one of the last new GR1v models and haven't used the original since - I consider it untrutsworth and tainted by Johnsons. I wouldn't send anything to them again. Unfortunately they are the official UK service agents to several manufacturers. Admittedly my experience showed a lack of quality control rather than actively damaging equipment!
FraserGJB