ChrisN
Striving
In July 2005 I bought a Canon P body on ebay, item number 7530983908. The camera serial number is 701003. The body appeared in good cosmetic condition but with a damaged shutter curtain. I thought it looked a good prospect for repair, and at US$153.50 I thought it a reasonable risk. I arranged to have the camera sent directly to Mark Hama, who had been recommended to me.
Upon receiving the camera, Mark informed me the shutter curtain needed replacing, and said he would seek a replacement curtain (first international phone call). Several weeks later I called again to follow up - Mark said he was still looking for parts. Another several weeks later, another call with the same result. This continued for several months.
In January 2006, I made another call and Mark admitted he could not find a replacement metal curtain, and stated he could convert the camera to a cloth curtain, for a payment of US$213 including return postage. I said go ahead, and made the payment, via Paypal.
Since then I have made several calls, and each time Mark apologised for the delay, and promised to have the camera ready "soon". In my last call on 10 August, Mark stated that he could not replace the shutter curtains, and would refund my payment and send the camera to me.
Since then I have not received either the refund or the camera.
I have tried to register a dispute with Paypal, but because the payment was made more than 45 days ago, they won't register the dispute.
I am at a loss to understand what the problem is, or why Mark will not do the right thing, as he has promised to do. If anyone can shed any light on this, please let me know.
I was a fool for making the payment before the job was done, and a bigger fool for not chasing this up much earlier with Paypal. However, I trusted the man's reputation and believed his promises.
I have no recourse to recover either my camera or my payment (I live in Australia). I'm not out to "do a smear job" on Mark Hama, as I know many have been happy with his work, but I need to post this once to get it off my chest, and as a warning to others.
Upon receiving the camera, Mark informed me the shutter curtain needed replacing, and said he would seek a replacement curtain (first international phone call). Several weeks later I called again to follow up - Mark said he was still looking for parts. Another several weeks later, another call with the same result. This continued for several months.
In January 2006, I made another call and Mark admitted he could not find a replacement metal curtain, and stated he could convert the camera to a cloth curtain, for a payment of US$213 including return postage. I said go ahead, and made the payment, via Paypal.
Since then I have made several calls, and each time Mark apologised for the delay, and promised to have the camera ready "soon". In my last call on 10 August, Mark stated that he could not replace the shutter curtains, and would refund my payment and send the camera to me.
Since then I have not received either the refund or the camera.
I have tried to register a dispute with Paypal, but because the payment was made more than 45 days ago, they won't register the dispute.
I am at a loss to understand what the problem is, or why Mark will not do the right thing, as he has promised to do. If anyone can shed any light on this, please let me know.
I was a fool for making the payment before the job was done, and a bigger fool for not chasing this up much earlier with Paypal. However, I trusted the man's reputation and believed his promises.
I have no recourse to recover either my camera or my payment (I live in Australia). I'm not out to "do a smear job" on Mark Hama, as I know many have been happy with his work, but I need to post this once to get it off my chest, and as a warning to others.
