Originally posted by maryjo I am very unhappy that this could happen in what I feel is still a new camera, and I want to write or call Ricoh.
Hi maryjo and welcome to the Pentax Forums!
I understand your disappointment, but cameras are like any other mass-manufactured item and a certain number will make it through quality control checks with a fault that only surfaces through use. Digital cameras overall have failure or serious fault rates about half that of personal computers, tablet computers, and smart phones and rates comparable to that of flat screen TVs. According to Consumer Reports' most recent survey, the rates for serious fault or failure of interchangeable lens cameras sort out as follows:
Panasonic: 4%
Canon: 5%
Sony: 7%
Pentax/Ricoh: 7%
Nikon: 8%
Olympus: 8%
CR cautions that differences of less than five percentage points are insignificant. Data for brands such as Fuji and Leica were not included due to inadequate data. FWIW, the Pentax numbers used to be below 5% before the K-3II debacle where the initial batch released to dealers suffered a serious fault.
Yes, the numbers are rather discouraging with one out of 20 boxes labeled "Canon" and greater that one in 13 labeled "Nikon" going out the door requiring service or replacement. Given the industry dominance of those two brands, those rates represents a considerable number of cameras and dissatisfied customers. I personally think the numbers are unacceptable industry-wide, but that is just my opinion.
As for repair vs. replace:
- Fault, failure, or defect within the first month or so of purchase may usually allow for no-cost replacement by most reputable sellers
- Problems after the first month are dealt with by the distributor or maker according to the terms of the warranty
- Warranty terms usually allow for either repair or replacement at the discretion of the distributor or maker
- Replacement is usually not offered unless repair is more expensive than the cost to replace
As for your camera being essentially used and "refurbished", yes that is true. Before the repair, it was used and non-functional and before it failed, it was simply used. Sorry about the bluntness, but in many ways you are fortunate that it failed so soon and within the warranty period. All that being said, it sounds like you are being well-cared for by the folk at Precision and it is my hope that your camera will be trouble-free for the remainder of its time with you.
Steve