Originally posted by bxf This is the part that troubles me. If this is correct, then it means that a manufacturer has a right to render my equipment unusable, unless I comply with its wishes. That is blackmail. What if I want to do my own repair? I cannot accept the notion that a manufacturer should have the right to refuse me the right to repair my item as I see fit.
I'm not saying this practice does not exist - I've been told that watch repairers in Asia are sometimes unable to obtain parts from Swiss manufacturers. I'm saying the practice should be illegal.
Once Ricoh closed the parts warehouse, they stopped selling to individual customers. Ricoh is a B2B company.. I was told that directly from Ricoh. I doubt we'll ever see the parts warehouse reopen with them as owners of Pentax. Hopefully, one day, we'll see Ricoh open their own repair facilities though.. or, at the very least, open up repairs to other sites (by opening the gates to parts and Pentax calibration hardware/software).
Further, late last year when I was shopping around, I was told by several repair facilities in the US that they couldn't get parts from Ricoh -- I had to send my lens to Precision. That was the only option. It appears, from their website directing all traffic to Precision, that is still the case. I mean surely if other companies had agreements with Ricoh in the US, they would list them no?
Advance still has yet to get back with me, in writing (email), that they can get parts for my lens (I told them a DA* 50-135mm -- clearly still made and parts available). Even after very politely 'prodding' them twice to let them know I'm still interested and awaiting their response. After the initial message, they went cold. Not a positive sign in my book.. I suspect they really cannot and thus the reason they are not responding. If they can, then that is fine (great, actually) but then it would appear they have the communication pathways of Precision (lacking).
I'm new school, I don't use the phone. I use email/texts and thus have a 'paper' trail to cover my rear. When a company doesn't want to respond in this manner, that sends up red flags.
I guess the ultimate test is for someone to send in their Pentax lens that needs serious new parts and see if they come through. Their prices seem ideal. I still strongly doubt they can get new parts though, despite the couple of claims here they can. Because no one, recently, has claimed to send in their lens -- only reports via phone claiming it is possible. Advance can tell you that on the phone all day, but I wonder if they really checked if they can.
KEH said the same thing.. first they had parts and we had a few reports of people getting their lenses repaired there. I suspect they had/have some parts still in stock (such as SDMs).
When I contacted them about a lens late last year KEH told me, "Unfortunately we would suggest that you send the lens directly to Precision Camera for servicing, as they currently perform all of Pentax's warranty work and have all of the calibration tools for the various lenses. " even though I specifically asked if the repair required would be covered in their flat fee (due to no warranty).
CRIS had this to say: "No, Pentax transported all the equipment, tools and parts to their new service center. I'm sorry we can no longer service any Pentax product. All Pentax repair now go to Precision Camera Repair in Enfield, CT. Thank you, C.R.I.S. Customer Service"
Midwest Camera repair had this to say: "We have been having very difficult time getting parts from Pentax, It would be best for you to contact them directly as a customer. Midwest"
When you contact Pentax directly, they say talk to Precision.
So color me skeptical at this point..