Warning: Fuji cameras repair costs.

4nick8

Thought I would share my experience with you:

Bought a F410 digital camera and used it for 9 months. It was then not used for 3 months as admitted to hospital. On my discharge from hospital found that the camera wouldn't charge battery. Replaced FOC by Fuji. It turned out that it wasn't the battery after all but a fault in the camera. Camera returned and to my horror they wanted £85 to repair it. After protesting they reduced it to £71. Pointed out that I could buy a newer model for £99. Fuji wouldn't budge. So here I am with a camera that cost £149 and was only used for 9 months and now about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike!

Any ideas what I can do with the camera now? Answers on a postcard please!

italiastar

If you haven't paid for the repair, save your money and put it towards another new camera - possibly hunt around for someone doing a 2 year guarantee - I post details if you wish.

Either way, whether you've paid or not, I'd write to the head of customer services, followed by the MD if you get no satisfaction explaining the situation. If they replaced the battery FOC (something they don't normally do as they say it's a consumable) then they've accepted liability - the fact that it didn't fix it is not your fault. Explain the situation with you going into hospital - I'm sure eventually they'll sort something out. It may take several letters.

As for the broken camera - put it on eBay - with a full description of the problem and stressing it's not working. Believe it or not - they sell!

Poppycat

Well its best to avoid Fuji from now on, vote with your wallet.

On the other hand is teh camera is just out of warranty then I am sure you still have your statory rights, just because a product is out fo warranty doenst mean there isnt some come back on the manufactuer.

italiastar

Poppycat wrote:

Well its best to avoid Fuji from now on, vote with your wallet.

On the other hand is teh camera is just out of warranty then I am sure you still have your statory rights, just because a product is out fo warranty doenst mean there isnt some come back on the manufactuer.

I agree - products still have to be fit for purpose and most people would agree that just over a years use for a camera is not acceptable - a few letters should do the trick. To be fair to Fuji - I don't think it's just them - My minolta was covered by a 2 year extended (free) warranty, but I got the impression from them that they would have reacted like Fuji if it wasn't under warranty.

ManAtHome

I've had a camera repaired in warranty by Fuji and only proof of purchase I had was a credit card statement, so I can't fault them.

I would think differently if I'd had a bad experience though - I no longer buy Sony products (of any description) after a poor showing with a laptop (although I haven't chucked out any which are still working).

backflip

Similar story, my brother's lens cover stuck and refused to automatically open, he'd had it about 18 months. Took it back to the dealer and was told the repair would cost £165, he didn't bother and bought a new camera instead.

Addicted2Chocolate

we had a problem with our fuji, out of warranty. when turning on the camera would just freeze and turn itself off. sent it to fuji for 'free estimate' they sent us back an estimate for £85 with no description of the fault. so we did not send it in for repair: if they had looked at the camera the estimate should have detailed the fault and the work to be done. We took the camera in to a local camera shop, the guy told us straight away it was no fault with the camera, we were using wrong type of battery! yes we are du7mb for not knowing this,. but shows that fuji did not even look at the camera befre sending us the estimate. Rip off, wont buy anther fuji...

tomthebomb

[QUOTE=ManAtHomeI no longer buy Sony products (of any description) after a poor showing with a laptop (although I haven't chucked out any which are still working).
ManAtHome is offline Report Bad Post ]I've had a camera repaired in warranty by Fuji and only proof of purchase I had was a credit card statement, so I can't fault them.

I had same problem with SONY {T.V.& two mini-disc recorders}and wouldn't touch a SONY product again at any price.
If everyone broadcast their problems with duff companies , as we are doing on this thread , they would soon have to sit up & take notice.

italiastar

Addicted2Chocolate wrote:

we had a problem with our fuji, out of warranty. when turning on the camera would just freeze and turn itself off. sent it to fuji for 'free estimate' they sent us back an estimate for £85 with no description of the fault. so we did not send it in for repair: if they had looked at the camera the estimate should have detailed the fault and the work to be done. We took the camera in to a local camera shop, the guy told us straight away it was no fault with the camera, we were using wrong type of battery! yes we are du7mb for not knowing this,. but shows that fuji did not even look at the camera befre sending us the estimate. Rip off, wont buy anther fuji...

Mmmmm Confirms my thoughts that they don't bother repairing them - mine was relaced by Minolta by a "Grade A refurb" when I queried this, the service manager confirmed that the part alone for my camera exceeded the value of the camera and he reminded me that labour costs in the UK were far in access of those where the camera was made - so basically they don't repair them in the UK - just swap them - He added that a Grade A refurb was a new camera off the production line which failed the quality check because of a minor surface scratch or belemish - mine had a very light scratch. Afreiend of mine's Cano was sent "abroad" for repair in the guarantee period - he did loose the camera for 4 months though.

jackbremer

yeah Fuji cameras fall apart - I had mine repaired five times, and it's with them getting another quote right now!!!

SamC_4

If the only problem is that the battery won't charge then you can get a third-party external battery charger for it from eBay for less than £20, e.g. http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?satitle=fuji+F410+charger

The Hong Kong vendors are usually OK but check the postage amounts in the listing.