Lesson learned

And the latest news is...

I picked up a K100D from Jessops today, it came in a box that looked like it had been around a bit. When I got home I noticed three things: no connect lead to download, no eyepiece cover and more importantly, the serial number card had a number on it that didn't match the one on the camera.

The box has obviously had bits taken out and not put back or other bits that don't match put there instead. It makes me think I've got something that has been in for repairs, and after the problems I had with the temporary repairs made on the DL2, can I take this camera away with me for a week or even just a day out. :

I would go back and speak with Jessops. It may be that the camera was on display hence the wrong card and the box. On the other hand if it wasn't sold as ex-display, I would be a bit peeved.

Kim

Actually Kim the correspondence I got back from Jessops told me it was Pentax who had agreed to replace the camera with a K100D and 18-55 lens. In fact I didn't get the lens but that didn't matter because I've got one anyway but yes I will go back this week to question the serial number with Jessops. The thing is, I've signed for the camera now so that's probably in their favour, although I've also signed for a lens I didn't get so that's an inaccuracy anyway.

Good grief what a song and dance !
Pick up that extra lens that you signed for and sell it to recoup some of the pain from all this !

Bloody Nora, when will companies learn that a new replacement unit is cheaper than endless returns and subsequent customer fall out?

I phoned consumer advice today and was told that as the law stands I was not entitled to a new camera which is annoying as the DL2 was faulty the moment it was assembled and I was the unfortunate one who bought it. I will write to Jessops and tell them I want the 18-55 lens I didn’t get and also to Pentax to tell them I am not satisfied with their appalling “repair” service that did the least it possibly could for me. I hope nothing else goes wrong because if it does I just won't be able to use them again.

I’m seriously thinking of changing brands now although it will mean selling up at a loss, because I have had unsatisfactory service from the DL2 camera and Pentax repairs and I really do regret buying the DL2 last year.

I would have a word with trading standards advice. The Sale of Goods Act 199? states that any goods should be fit for purpose and any service should be carried out in a sympathetic and understanding manner. They should be able to advise if they think the DL supplied was "fit for purpose" and about the service you have received. All it will cost you a a local phone call and then a letter.

Kim

If you paid by Credit Card I would take it up with your Card Issuer. You should be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Trading Standards tend not to give much civil advice these days. It's been farmed out to Consumer Direct, operated by the Office of Fair Trading. Call them on 08454 040506

It drags on. I contacted Jessops who agreed to send the used K100D back to Pentax. Then Pentax denied having received it, so Jessops had to check their courier receipts to prove it was sent. Once this was confirmed, Jessops told me that Pentax were going to send a new K100D but it would have to be shipped over from their warehouse in Europe and would take about five days. This was on 6 December. So far I have received nothing and I would have expected to have something by now, even allowing for the busy Christmas mail, so today I have written to Jessops to remind them of this. I don't care what I get now although I would prefer some financial compensation as my interest has gone thanks to Pentax getting the repairs of the DL2 wrong EVERY TIME, then trying to fob me off with a used item, then losing it when it was returned. .

At least most of you on here are happy with your gear. Unfortunately I can’t say the same, as I bought a useless item and ever since then I have had incompetence from Pentax. I would never send anything to them again for "repair."

Pentax NEVER AGAIN.

Very sorry to hear of your bad experience. Whatever the reasons, and we may never know, things can and do go wrong in every organisation. Sometimes it's indiciduals, sometimes it's a poor policy decision, sometimes it's other partners in the chain.

I know it doesn't help, but as I type this I am aware of another disastrous situation for someone else that involves another camera maker entirely. The point I am making is that, whatever we buy and whoever makes it, there are rare occasions when what normally works fine becomes a catalogue if mishaps.

The K100D is a lovely camera, so hopefully you will enjoy it and it will make up for things. It is a better beast than the one you have lost, so that is something I hope.

Now Pentax have surprised me again!

Jessops got my recent letter advising them I'd still not received anything despite them telling me that Pentax were going to send me a new K100D. The faulty DL2 that was repeatedly repaired without success had already gone back to Pentax forever, followed by the used K100D that Pentax sent as a replacement; these both went to Pentax via Jessops.

I received a call from Jessops today telling me there was a new K100D for me in my local store. I'll believe it when I see it, was my comment. I went along to collect it and it was actually a K100D Super, only there were a couple of things that did not seem right. First, no paperback user manual book in the box; instead a CD, but that is no use when you need to adjust things if you are away from home and want to know how to do it. Then I checked the serial number on the camera against the number on the card in the box. Were they the same? Of course not. I couldn't accept the camera as there was a good chance it was another repaired item, and with my experience of Pentax "repairs," something fixed by them lasts five minutes.

I've now had to write another letter to Jessops Leicester about this, however I cannot accept Pentax sending me anything as a replacement. Why they have deliberately avoided sending me something brand new is beyond me. In fact I've said I won't accept anything else from Pentax because I now want to end this ASAP and I hope Jessops will take back the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses that came with the DL2. I have a few other Pentax items including a K100D which I bought on holiday when the DL2 packed up, but that may well become a used item for sale; I’ve not used it for ages and now I’m chasing money lost and not material items. I really have had enough.

As I understand things if something goes wrong with anything within what could be expected the reasonable working life of an item, you are entitled to a repair, or replacement if a repair is not satisfactory. You are not bound to send it to the manufacturer, but can elect to send it to any competent person and bill the manufacturer.
I instinctivley distrust most big companies as I have been burnt too many times in the past.
How you would get Pentax to pay for an independent repair is another matter even when they are legally bound to do so. At this stage I would have in the small claims court quick smart.
I have used Pentax gear for 30 years with no problem, but then nothing has ever gone wrong. However a friend of mine has had terrible problems with trying to get his LX fixed by Pentax (sticky mirror, a common fault).
It came back Worse than when it went away.
He now uses Olympus gear and all his loveley Pentax primes are idle.

Problems over. I took the other items that were bought with the DL2 back to Jessops and their Leicester HQ have refunded me the full amount. Jessops have been brilliant which is not how I can describe Pentax. Now a warning in case you see a Pentax DL2 serial number 2062143 on sale as a refurbished item. It's my old one that failed four times so keep your money in your pocket.