Repair Centre For my K1

Hi Guys, Just wanted to ask has anyone had any dealings with the Pentax authorised repairer's J Pye Auctions ? I have a K1 with a faulty shutter. (not clearing the sensor). I had heard on the grapevine the can take a while for a repair, and can be very expensive. But after contacting several other, So called "Pentax" repair centre's. None have been able to help. Either stating. They don't repair the K1 or they cannot obtain the required parts from Pentax. After having to make a claim on my household insurance for a previous K1 sent to J Pye. They wouldnt touch it as it had been water damaged. I'm not too keen to deal with them. But now looks like there is no other option ? Been trying to contact J Pye. Through phone and website. Now for over a week. But at present can't make a contact. Or does anyone know of anywhere else that can help ?

My overall experience with them is most positive. I had the same problems with them regarding contact and taking a long time over a faulty K3ii. I never got an answer to their telephone number BUT when THEY phoned me about it the guy took as long as necessary and was quite unhurried. They tried their hardest to reproduce the 'fault' (consistent over exposures) and failed - because it would appear that some idiot (me) had been trying to take pictures with it set to 'manual' and hadn't noticed . They sent it back RMSD and didn't charge me a penny. I got the impression that there were perhaps two of them running the repair business within the auction house of John Pye and they were indeed very busy. Looking at their auction business, as such, it has nothing to do with photography and there are no bargains to be had there at all. Once you add all the premiums and fees to whatever you have bought it turns out dearer than a new item!! Since they have captured the official Pentax franchise it makes sense that they can monopolise the spare part side too so we are stuck with what we have got.

I used them about 4 years ago when they replaced the main board in my K-1 under warranty. All went smoothly.

It is likely they are the only people in the UK who can access Pentax parts, which is why you are not having luck elsewhere.

Let's not forget that Covid in still causing problems in the UK and elsewhere. If J Pye's repair team is small and a couple of people are off sick, they will have problems keeping on top of things. And with anything electronic, the world shortage of chips (due in part to Covid) is hitting everything from computers to cars. Supply of parts might also have been affected by B****t. Lots of reasons why camera repairs might not be running smoothly at the moment.

Steve

Very true..... and with recent rises in prices of metals, expect to pay a lot more.

In the last two years Gold is up 30%..... Copper is up 100%.... and Nickel is up 300%

Indeed. A mate of mine has just had a lens returned from repair by Panasonic. They'd had it for 8 months...

Had a 50-135 * lens repaired (again) for the SDM Issue, had no problems contacting them at all,
Only issue was getting the parts in from Europe which caused a fair delay.😟

Thanks everyone... Looks like I'm stuck with J Pye for support for the moment... ! Though I've tried again today without sucess. I must say this is not a favourable position. Is the K1 becoming a throw away item... ? If it wasn't for the lens collection I have I would certainly leave Pentax at this time. Sorry for the rant, feeling a little frustrated...!

This doesn't sound good for Pentax and might more than any other single issue sink the brand here in the UK.

Lat year my K-50 suffered the aperture solenoid issue. Wasn't cost effective to repair so decided to keep it purely for use with manual lenses..luckily i've a few of those and do shoot a lot on pure manual..BUT i bought a used K-5IIs which i'm very pleased with rather than a new K-70 as i didn't have any confidence in the reliability of that model given that it apparently uses the same solenoid that keeps failing.

I've noticed in the past year or so that lots of people on here have had less than satisfactory experiences with repairs to their equipment in UK and only having one approved service centre and then issues with parts/service backup and supply is not good.

Recently we've read that Pentax intends to change its business model and go direct to consumers cutting out (presumably) much of its dealer network and engage with them more...ideal opportunity if true for people to tell Pentax what they think of its service/repair issues. Once your customers lose trust in your brand you don't always get a second chance...and Pentax has so few customers here in UK it can't afford to lose any.

In my living memory Pentax have only ever had one approved service centre. I think that is pretty much the norm across all brands

How are you contacting them ?

Have you tried asking the retailer who you bought the camera from to contact them on your behalf.

This is from the Pentax website:

John Pye Ltd (Service & Repairs)

39-40 Marchington Industrial Estate

Stubby Lane

Uttoxeter

ST14 8LP

Phone: 01283 384409

Contact: [email protected]

Or try this main number for their Marchington Industrial Estate site 01283820185

Thanks Peter. Im going to try the retail outlet I purchased from today. I originaly bought it used from Wex some years ago. They send out their repairs to a company called Fixation. Here in Manchester. I have already contacted them directly. Again to be told that they dont repair Pentax cameras. Most repairers now want anon refundable upfront payment to asses a repair. Which is fine if they actually repair it. But two others have already taken payment of £20 each and not performed the repair. Im not too worried at this stage as I know J Pye can and will repair. I was just trying to save a bit of time.

Finally made contact with J Pye.. They will repair it, but are too busy at present to look at it. So could take some time. As it's not a warranty repair....!! Cost will be at least £250. Once inspected.

Sign of the times unfortunately. Good luck with it.