Nikon, no way to run a business...

FWIW...
back to Canon's standard operating procedure...I call their help line and am filtered thru to tech
service regarding upper end gear. If it's gear related, they run thru a checklist of possible remedies.
Should those remedies not solve the problem, they will not hesitate to email me a prepaid shipping
label for repair. Upon receipt of that gear, an evaluation is carried out and, if out of warranty, an
estimate is emailed which must be paid prior to repair. Their Professional Service, I'm not a member,
provides for free loaner gear while repairs are carried out.

A complaint that always arises is, a direct communication between the client and the actual repair
technician/mechanic cannot take place, it must be filtered thru their Customer Support line...
that is always a real PITA. As I previously said, not all centers are as good as is New Jersey. ;)

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When you say "they" offered it, did it come directly from Nikon or from the dealer that you work with?

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It was acouple of years ago now Dan but from what i remember when i registered my d800 i recived a mail offering me NPS i do qualify on other equipment but my only other body at the time was a d7000 (id gladly buy a pro DX) i have a web site that portrays me as "pro" and i do some paid work, but id never give up the day job, I enjoy it too much and it pays too well. I think its as you say, they dont look too hard.

I love my Nikon gear as well and none of it has ever given me problems but im under no illusions about the service id get if i did have any issues! its sad really because thed sell more stuff and have a very loyal customer base if they just listened to the users...

Here are the ruels for NPS UK, if they took the d7000 as pro then id sort of qualify i do have business cards, letter heads and the website......

Photographers should preferably own at least six pieces of professional Nikon equipment, two of which should be camera bodies.

Each application is assessed individually and must be supported with relevant trading documents as proof of their profession.

•Staff or contractors - a letterhead, business card and a referee who can verify that you work for the company
•Freelance - a client data sheet, letterhead or trading invoice showing VAT registration number. A written reference from a reputable business source, i.e Picture Editor who uses your work
•Small business - either a brochure of your services, examples or cuttings and a trading invoice
Please fill out all the sections of the application form. Any application not supplied with the requested supporting documentation will not be considered for membership.

Thanks for the info, Mark. Yes slightly different than the requirements on Nikon USA site. But it is worth a shot. Maybe avoid future frustration.

Since I know everyone has been waiting with baited breath to see how this turned out, the saga isn't completely over yet but things are looking up. I was notified by Nikon that they have indeed received the lens and will be fixing it at no cost to me. So indeed once I finally broke through the clone army of screeners, they seem to be functioning like one would expect.

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Originally Posted by NorthernFocus

Since I know everyone has been waiting with baited breath to see how this turned out . . .

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Yes. I agree.

Seriously! - I for one, jumped onto the thread immediately I saw the update notification in my email.

Also . . .

In your spare time, would you please rewrite and repackage this for a TV Mini Series . . .

We need to keep the all the metaphors, as they are just wonderful.

But I am having difficulty suggesting a title:

"Alaskan Rambo fights Clone Army singlehanded" ?

That's way too long to have punch at the box office . . .

WW

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Originally Posted by NorthernFocus

Since I know everyone has been waiting with baited breath

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I can only speak for myself. I was waiting with bated breath, not baited breath. Even so, I'm thrilled to learn that Nikon has agreed that the lens is not in optimal condition and that the company is going to honor its warranty.

Now, what was that you were saying awhile earlier in the thread about being tempted to buy used lenses even though no warranty would apply? :confused:

Maybe it was a mistake.

Maybe it was bait?

WW

Nikon continues to make amends for the slow start on my problem.

The repair status indicated that the shop completed their work yesterday and the lens would ship back to me today. Their standard shipping is 2-day air. Well 2-day air takes three (business)days to Alaska. I'm leaving town Monday night so won't be here when the lens arrives. So I contacted their customer service through the website and asked that they instruct the shop to ship the lens to the local UPS center to be held for my return. Rather than doing that, they shipped it overnight delivery. Which due to the Alaska factor probably means I'll have it Monday. Tomorrow is the estimated delivery in the system but I'll be shocked if it shows up before Monday.

I am afraid this is SOP for many companies. Deny, deny, deny. This first level of defense will send the majority of complainers away. I have seen this with insurance companies quite often. Making people jump through hoops will lower the volume of service and costs. Nikon also likes the 'impact damage' technique. Finding companies that are responsive and personal makes the world of difference to me. While I continue to buy Nikon bodies, one reason I like third party glass is I have found both Tamron and Sigma to have first class customer service. Your tale is not unique and does unfortunately color my regard for Nikon. Good luck with your investment!