Need advice about a camera just back from repair

[Laviolette]

I sent my Minolta XD11 to a well-know technician for a general CLA and a changing of the eye diopter, which was stained from the inside. There was no other issues about the camera that I knew of. I also sent at the same time a SRT-101 for recalibrating the meter for 1.5V batteries.

I got the cameras back last week and everything seemed fine at first : the diopter was changed, the camera had new light seals, etc. But after the first day of using the XD11, the film advance lever started to get stuck in the forward position and the shutter wouldn't fire at all.

The technician has a 90 day warranty and after I contacted him, he told me to send the camera back. But the camera is « only » a well-used XD11 and the repairs + shipping are already worth about as much as the camera itself... In fact, I would have changed the diopter myself since I know a bit my way around this camera (I changed a broken take-up spool in another XD11). But I couldn't find the part anywhere, hence why I sent the camera into repair.

What should I do? I think I should be able to repair the camera myself, but I don't think it's the right thing to do, since the technician should have done his job properly. Plus doing so would void my warranty.

I could pay more and send it back...and risking that it come back in the same state. I am in Canada and he's in the US, so the shipping isn't that cheap.

Or, I could open a Paypal dispute...

Has anyone been in that kind of situation?

 

[tunalegs]

I can't imagine the shipping being that much more than $10US? I just mailed a camera to Canada and it was less than $12- I would just send it and have them fix it.

 

[Laviolette]

I can't imagine the shipping being that much more than $10US? I just mailed a camera to Canada and it was less than $12- I would just send it and have them fix it.

It should be around 15$ I think (or 30$, since I suppose I will have to pay for the back trip too) . It's more of a matter of principle. I was expecting a verified, fully working camera.

But I guess you are right and I should send it back.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Just because we all now that "poop happens" possibly send a roll of film with it and ask him to run it through the camera before he returns it next time. I'm sure he'll understand considering the cost of postage. Just a thought.
Regards,Peter

 

[btgc]

That's the film shooting business. Cameras cost next to nothing, film/processing and repair costs accumulate to much more than initial purchase. I suggest to accept it, maybe also to find ways to reduce costs - spool bulk film, do repairs yourself.

 

[bdeyes]

It sounds as if the OP did his research and used a repair shop that was well-respected. For that respect to be well-earned, the repair shop should stand by their work, and if true that the camera did not exhibit the issues that surfaced after the CLA, I would think the repair shop should try to correct the problem, and share in the additional cost of shipping. Perhaps pay for the return shipment, so that the customer doesn't have to carry the full burden for the follow-up work. That way the repair shop also has incentive to ensure that this does not happen often.

 

[hugivza]

I would send it back, as if you attempt to repair it yourself and fail for whatever reason you would have no redress against the repairer. You might suggest that since he is at fault that he pick up the costs of postage! Good luck.

 

[David Hughes]

Most repair people will send it back at their expense if they caused the problem. And I'd like to know where you can get one for the cost of postage one way, especially if it has a lens on it...

Regards, David

 

[Laviolette]

It sounds as if the OP did his research and used a repair shop that was well-respected. For that respect to be well-earned, the repair shop should stand by their work, and if true that the camera did not exhibit the issues that surfaced after the CLA, I would think the repair shop should try to correct the problem, and share in the additional cost of shipping. Perhaps pay for the return shipment, so that the customer doesn't have to carry the full burden for the follow-up work. That way the repair shop also has incentive to ensure that this does not happen often.

I indeed searched for a well-respected technician in Minolta repairs. Seeing the feedback you are giving me, it seems that this happen on a regular basis. I will just send back the camera tomorrow and get on with it.

Most repair people will send it back at their expense if they caused the problem. And I'd like to know where you can get one for the cost of postage one way, especially if it has a lens on it...

Sorry if it wasn't clear, english isn't my native language. I meant that the initial repair and shipping cost (about 75$ total) was worth as much, if not more than the camera itself.

Thanks to everyone for your advice!