Mirror flipping problem on K-r - Tesco Payoff?

Hi all,

My K-r recently developed what appears to be the "flipping mirror" problem, primarily when using manual lenses (of which, I have a good few and use very regularly.

The camera is outside the standard 12 month warranty period with the original seller who was Tesco Direct. I wrote to them, asking that they sort out the problem on the grounds that the camera has not been fit for purpose by only functioning correctly for 17 months.

They have offered to pay me £200 as they "agree that the camera should have lasted longer than 17 months." They cite a "decrease in value over this time" as their reason for not offering a full refund or exchange. The above payment would be in addition to me keeping the dysfunctional K-r.

I therefore have a couple of questions for the forums.

* Do you think this offer is reasonable? I'm half of the mind that the fact they made this offer after one pretty non-confrontational email, indicates that they think I have a case and are "paying me off."
* Do you think it likely that any repairs would cost me £200 or less? If they are, I would effectively have a fully functioning camera again and some portion of the money left over.

In the latter scenario, it may actually work out better for me as any replacement would run the risk of the same problem happening in an indeterminate period of time.

Or I could forget the K-r for the mean-time, put the money towards a K-5 and then in the future when I have a bit more money again (hopefully!), I could get the k-r fixed as a spare/holiday/casual camera. The only problem with this wonderful scheme is that I clearly can't really afford/justify the outlay on a K-5 (but that hasn't really stopped me with lenses up till now).

Sorry for the long and meandering post. Any help with any or all of my ramblings would be greatly appreciated.

Nick

Hi Nick,

take the money, get the camera repaired and enjoy until next time when you'll know to buy from a Pro dealer with 2 year warranty included as standard.

Hi Nick,
They've offered you a lot more than Amazon did for my K-r when it developed this problem.

Contact Pentax and tell them what the problem is and they might fix it under warranty for you they fixed mine for nothing - I used the pittance Amazon gave me to pay the postage to send the camera to be repaired.

As Bill says, next time use a Pro dealer even if it costs a few quid more.

Good luck,
Charlotte

How long did they take to respond? If just a day or so then try for a little more. If they took a week they may have done soem background research and you may not get more.

Perhaps try for £200 cash plus £100 of Tesco vouchers!

Cheers!

Yeah, it seems a pretty decent offer.Much better than yours as you say Charlotte. I already approached Pentax and they didn't seem overly interested, other than to either direct me to the retailer or for a free estimate for repair. Presumably, if I ask for more, Tesco are unlikely to withdraw the original offer so it may be worth a try (like Gamka says, maybe in voucher form). Yeah, Pro dealers are definitely the way forward I think. Is it just a case of Googling it or going to the Pentax website for a list?

Nick

My email was sent on the 2nd and the letter response was posted on the second, so they really didn't think about it. Maybe a standard form with the cost adjusted?

Sorry, their response was dated 3rd not 2nd but still very quick...

So, nest move is a response to their letter suggesting you may settle for an increase and maybe suggest the incremental is in voucher form.

Get a repair estimate from Pentax and if it is too high, they have been known to offer a discount on a new body then decide how to proceed.

Yeah, I've written a still friendly but reasoned email indicating why I feel £300 would be a fairer and more appropriate offer. We'll see how that goes. Cheers again.

There is is decent price at the moment for the K5 with kit lens for £549 through SRS Microsystems who are also a pro dealer. If I got the £300, I could probably stretch to the rest. Fingers crossed...