Nikon Service Center experience

In a recent post I’ve mentioned mixed feelings about Nikon’s own service center where we have our D300 repaired. The feelings are mixed enough that next time I will think twice before choosing Nikon’s service center over the certified repair facility (which, remember, still can repair your hardware under warranty). Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

– the hardware will undergo extensive check covering every functionality, not only the case reported (that’s the mysterious TO GWO on work order – to good working order). Our body got some parts replaced (unrelated to auto focus mechanism), the autofocus properly adjusted, they cleaned it, checked metering and ttl system, the whole 9 yards.

– if the hardware needs to be replaced, you’ll get the newest piece down the line (e.g. in our case it would be D300s. ‘unfortunately’ our was repairable’)

– in border line cases, the Nikon is going to propose you paid upgrade

Cons:

– there are only two service centers in the US. So shipping takes several days for us living in the middle of nowhere, Iowa.

– also it takes forever to get the equipment fixed. Our body was lying 4 days there before it even get registered in their system, and then another 5 before it even got to repair shop.

– there is virtually nobody to talk to to get some status update or information – the call center is on the other side of the US in New Jersey, there is no email or phone listed anywhere to talk to anybody directly at the center handling your body. All you are left with is a status on the website saying ‘in shop’ and a trust that Nikon will buck up the service center with it’s name so if something happens they can make it up to you.

So would I do it again? If it’s body under warranty – definitely yes. If it’s a lens, or flash, or body out of warranty – I will probably get much faster and cheaper service at APS in Chicago