>Not all camera repair jobs are technical, delicate procedures,
>and it is arguable that not many of them require any kind of
>specialized equipment either. Most Nikon repairs are probably
>simply replacing broken or malfunctioning parts and
>reassembling.

I do agree that all aren't delicate procedures. Now when I have had to send my equipment in, the repairs went beyond simple board replacement, rubber grip replacement, etc. The last time was a bent and damage lens mount on the camera and a damaged mount on a 28-70/2.8 that resulte from a fall. Now I am not in the camera repair business but I suspect these repairs required equipment to ensure proper alignment, etc. However, you know what held up the repair? There was a shortage of rubber grips. This repair job was being handled by Nikon US and not a thirdparty shop. Who knows how many of these grips were being hoarded by independent repair places. They are cheap.

In a former life, I was in the repair/supply buinsess so I have seen the tendency to order parts to have on hand "just in case". This can cause inbalances the supply chain. In this day of "just in time" production, this can cause shortages. Of course, this does bring in the Thailand situation. You may have parts sitting on the shelf at independent repair centers that certified shops or Nikon itself may have on backorder.

Now I do not know how Nikon does business but the smart way to do business would be for them to know what repair parts are in stock at repair facilities in order to have greater control in knowing actual usage. This can give them a better handle on the "need" and whether production needs to be increased or decreased. Additionally, if shop ABC has 10 repair parts on the shelf, and repair shop XYZ needs one to get a repair done and for some reason, the production of this part is not being kept up with demand, Nikon could have ABC send XYZ the part so the piece of equipment can be fixed and back to the customer. All of this can be tracked by Nikon on a unfied Nikon system used by all certified repair shops. Nikon would have no idea what Independent shops may have sitting on the shelf being unused when there is a need for these parts elsewhere.

Again, I have no idea how Nikon does things but what I have described would be the SMART way to conduct business when it comes to parts management.

Now bring in that a certified shop must go through training and have proper equipment to make repairs to keep there certification. This does take money and if I was a certified shop and if Nikon put these requirements on me, I would demand that they quit sending parts to independent repair shops who get by on the cheap. They don't have to undergo training or have specialized equipment (or expense) but they get the parts they ordered? They have access to the most important thing and that are parts? This doesn't make sense. I say to all these independent shops who are doing a lot of crying....GET CERTIFIED. It is easy as that.

In MANY professions, etc. one must get certified and keep their certification through continuing education. One must go through some hoops (and expense) to use the recognized branding of a major corporation. This branding does bring customers so it is worth it for them to do. On the other hand it is important for that corporation to protect its branding. All of this certification, etc. is common place throughout business.

Looking on the web or in the yellow pages, how many consumers really key in on the fact whether a shop is certified or not. They only see "WE DO NIKON CAMERA REPAIRS" and figure that if a shop advertises, then things must be okay. Who really knows how many fly by night shops are out there doing repairs without proper training or equipment? Again, I am seeing this move by Nikon as ensuring that only trained technicians are doing repairs on their equipment.

Nothing you can say will get me to change my mind on this.

Mel
An Opinionated Old Curmudgeon from Virginia


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