Is this bad news for Pentax production

amoringello · 07-07-2012, 04:08 PM

So what does it mean when your lens is in repair and parts are on hold due to backorder for more than 30 days?!
Well, I'm pretty sure it does NOT mean that Pentax has an active production line.
Argh!!

RonHendriks1966 · 07-07-2012, 04:25 PM

No idea how that works or what the main issue is in this. It does happen to more people, so not a single issue. It should be improved!

Zav · 07-07-2012, 04:35 PM

Well, you know, if your lens is repaired in the US and that the piece has to be ordered from Japan, it can take some time. It actually happened to me (replace US by France) in 2009, but we all know that Pentax was already doomed by that time.
And lenses are produced in batches if I am not mistaken.

Docrwm · 07-07-2012, 05:52 PM

One of the biggest complaints about PentaxUSA is that they have outsourced nearly everything. Their store doesn't even stock all the accessories and parts listed in every Pentax manual. CRIS often reports that they are out of parts, even on items in the prime of their production life. Repair part availability in the US has zero relationship to production line status.

LeDave · 07-07-2012, 05:57 PM

Sometimes Pentax can take up to 6-8 months or more to get it repaired and back, that's actually average from what I've seen... Which is why I had my D7000 in my cart before I checked out the K-5, but knowing this all I still went with the K-5 anyways. Pentax for life.

**luftfluss** · 07-07-2012, 06:05 PM

I think it stinks.

My brother once had to wait 2 months for a part for his Honda Prelude.

**RKKS08** · 07-07-2012, 06:23 PM

This may happen if you implement the just-in-time delivery system of production to service as well.

I remember times when the main Japanese car manufacturers kept only the most frequently needed spare parts on stock in my country. Bad luck if something broke which usually doesn't and you had to wait more than 6 weeks to get your car repaired. And this was at times when the percentage of Japanese cars on our streets was higher than it is now.

But all the companies still exist, and it seems the problems are more or less solved. Or they have rather shifted from cars to consumer electronics. And there the problems indeed seem to be related to outsourcing.

amoringello · 07-07-2012, 06:39 PM

Its sad... the current line of Pentax equipment is more than necessary for a majority of professional work, but if I have to deal with a potential repair time of 2-8 months, Pentax is not going to be in my future much longer. That is just a rather scary proposition.
I am lucky to have a backup for the lens in question... but now I am potentially eight months with no backup.... and not spending $1500 for another when Pentax cannot properly support their customers. Yikes!

I have no desire to change brands, but damn, if this is common practice I probably won't have a choice.

slackercruster · 07-07-2012, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

One of the biggest complaints about PentaxUSA is that they have outsourced nearly everything. Their store doesn't even stock all the accessories and parts listed in every Pentax manual. CRIS often reports that they are out of parts, even on items in the prime of their production life. Repair part availability in the US has zero relationship to production line status.

ahh..and that is a big reason why Pentax can't be a pro's camera. Pros can't screw round like that.

rawr · 07-07-2012, 07:50 PM

I'm still waiting on my DA* 300 to arrive - ordered it over 1 month ago. Don't know if this is all connected. Maybe the problem is not Pentax JP but the local distributors and service centres not carrying enough inventory.

07-07-2012, 04:08 PM	#1
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Is this bad news for Pentax production So what does it mean when your lens is in repair and parts are on hold due to backorder for more than 30 days?! Well, I'm pretty sure it does NOT mean that Pentax has an active production line. Argh!!

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07-07-2012, 04:25 PM	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	No idea how that works or what the main issue is in this. It does happen to more people, so not a single issue. It should be improved!

07-07-2012, 04:35 PM	#3
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Well, you know, if your lens is repaired in the US and that the piece has to be ordered from Japan, it can take some time. It actually happened to me (replace US by France) in 2009, but we all know that Pentax was already doomed by that time. And lenses are produced in batches if I am not mistaken.

07-07-2012, 05:52 PM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	One of the biggest complaints about PentaxUSA is that they have outsourced nearly everything. Their store doesn't even stock all the accessories and parts listed in every Pentax manual. CRIS often reports that they are out of parts, even on items in the prime of their production life. Repair part availability in the US has zero relationship to production line status.

07-07-2012, 05:57 PM	#5
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Sometimes Pentax can take up to 6-8 months or more to get it repaired and back, that's actually average from what I've seen... Which is why I had my D7000 in my cart before I checked out the K-5, but knowing this all I still went with the K-5 anyways. Pentax for life.

07-07-2012, 06:05 PM	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	I think it stinks. My brother once had to wait 2 months for a part for his Honda Prelude.

07-07-2012, 06:23 PM	#7
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	This may happen if you implement the just-in-time delivery system of production to service as well. I remember times when the main Japanese car manufacturers kept only the most frequently needed spare parts on stock in my country. Bad luck if something broke which usually doesn't and you had to wait more than 6 weeks to get your car repaired. And this was at times when the percentage of Japanese cars on our streets was higher than it is now. But all the companies still exist, and it seems the problems are more or less solved. Or they have rather shifted from cars to consumer electronics. And there the problems indeed seem to be related to outsourcing.

07-07-2012, 06:39 PM	#8
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562 Original Poster	Its sad... the current line of Pentax equipment is more than necessary for a majority of professional work, but if I have to deal with a potential repair time of 2-8 months, Pentax is not going to be in my future much longer. That is just a rather scary proposition. I am lucky to have a backup for the lens in question... but now I am potentially eight months with no backup.... and not spending $1500 for another when Pentax cannot properly support their customers. Yikes! I have no desire to change brands, but damn, if this is common practice I probably won't have a choice.

07-07-2012, 07:44 PM	#9
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Originally posted by Docrwm One of the biggest complaints about PentaxUSA is that they have outsourced nearly everything. Their store doesn't even stock all the accessories and parts listed in every Pentax manual. CRIS often reports that they are out of parts, even on items in the prime of their production life. Repair part availability in the US has zero relationship to production line status. ahh..and that is a big reason why Pentax can't be a pro's camera. Pros can't screw round like that.

07-07-2012, 07:50 PM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I'm still waiting on my DA* 300 to arrive - ordered it over 1 month ago. Don't know if this is all connected. Maybe the problem is not Pentax JP but the local distributors and service centres not carrying enough inventory.