lewmonst 0 #1 September 9, 2004 So I dropped my pc330. (Which was bought from B&H back in the day before I realized I could get a Ritz ESP on it...) Anyway, I took it to PVS in Elsinore last wednesday. Paid $45 upfront for the estimate (which would go towards the repair...). They said they would call by Friday with the estimate. Come this Wednesday, still no word, I call PVS. The guy who answered the phone took my order number and then said he'd have to call me back. An hour and a half later, still no returned phone call, I call again. The girl (who'd told me she'd call by friday with an estimate) answered this time... She says, "Oh the technician was just trying to call you and it was busy...". So I enlightened her that that was not possible since my cell phone either allows the call to come through, on call waiting or goes to voicemail... Whatever. So finally she says the internal lens assembly needs to be replaced and the part is going to cost $239.97 and the repair is going to cost $160 for a total of $400. So I ask, "How is the repair cost calculated? Is it an hourly rate?" And she says, "No, our technician determines it based on the model number and the repair." So I say, "Ok, but is that based on an estimate of how long it will take to repair it?" And she says, "No, it's based on the model number..." Ok, fine, whatever again. So I ask how long it will take to get the part and be repaired. And she says, "I'm not sure, the part could take 3-5 business days and I don't know how long after that." So I say, "I understand that, but whether or not I have you repair it depends on how long it's going to take..." And I explained to her that I use the camera for work and I need it fixed so I can return the other camera I bought within the 14 day return policy, etc, etc. Which is why I was upset about not getting the estimate last Friday either... So I called Sony and finally tracked down the replacement part for $219.97. I could get it in a couple days. And I don't want to give any more of my money to the morons at PVS. So should I try to replace the internal lens assembly on my pc330 myself? How hard can it be, I mean, we've taken apart cameras before and superglued things... just a lot of little screws and ribbons to be careful with, right? lew need camera peace lewhttp://www.exitshot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #2 September 9, 2004 Argh. I'd go with the Sony repair. If you can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 September 9, 2004 Unless you have the repair manual there to calibrate the lenses again after you tear everything apart and put it back together... I'd say to ship it off to the Sony Repair center there in Cali. About $300 flat fee and they will have it installed and recalibrated back to new specs.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewmonst 0 #4 September 9, 2004 The $300 flat fee is for repairs and does not include parts if parts need to be replaced. What I'm afraid of is Sony will charge $300 + $220 for the part... ugh. This PVS crappy place is an "Authorized Sony Service Center" too... lew need camera Eric: Do you know that it has to be calibrated by experience or are you just guessing? I think, by the way the guy sounded from the Sony Parts place, the lens assembly is fixed and all I might have to do is swap the new one in for the broken one...http://www.exitshot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #5 September 9, 2004 Quote ugh. This PVS crappy place is an "Authorized Sony Service Center" too... lew need camera I have learned (the hard way) to go directly to a real Sony repair station. I tried to use an "Authorized Sony Service Center" in Burbank (independently owned and operated) in hopes of getting faster (and perhaps cheaper) service. Unfortunately, they diagnosed the most expensive part to replace and then sent it back (supposedly repaired) with it having the exactly same problem!!! I sent it back and 4 months later they -still- hadn't diagnosed the problem....so they sent it to a REAL Sony repair station (in San Diego somewhere) who diagnosed it correctly, fixed it, and sent it back. THEY charged the Burbank quack-pots for the 2nd repair and didn't inflict another one on me. Camera fixed. Now it's my 2nd camera for Nat's. Total: Over $300 and 6 months of waiting. Sorry about your pc330. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zee 0 #6 September 9, 2004 Thought you had a degree in Mechanical Engineering? If you can get a passing grade in Three Dimensional Vector Calculus, and you know how to use a small screw driver, I think you have what it takes to slap in a lens assembly Good luck, Z Action©Sports Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 September 9, 2004 I was'nt charged a dime over the 300 fee when they had to replace two circuit boards on my PC110 2 years ago.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
