Posted by Calvin in Imaging & Photography, Tech News | 19 Comments
Nikon opens first service center at SM Megamall
Finally the moment most, if not all Nikon users are waiting for, the opening of a true Nikon service center in the country. A ribbon cutting was held last May 11 for the opening of the first Nikon service center located smack at the middle of SM Megamall Level 5.
The Nikon service center is still under local distributor Columbia Digital Star Corporation who handled service and support previously. However, having a Nikon branded center will put consumers at ease when having their cameras repaired by qualified technicians who gets proper training and support from Nikon itself.
Columbia is also expecting to put up Nikon service centers in Cebu and Davao within the year. Still a long way from matching Canon’s service center count but it’s a much-anticipated start from Nikon. Better late than never.
Nikon Service Center, SM Megamall Tel. No: 633-4990
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Finally!
Oh, and it’s coming to Cebu too!
Wow! Finally, I can go somewhere to have my kit lens checked. Thanks for posting!
Just like any other Nikon enthusiast out there, I audibly gasped when I saw this news on Nikon Phils FB page. I was having a minor parts issue with my D90 and I can’t figure out where to get it fixed (Columbia advised me to bring it to their service center in an unknown, well-hidden address in QC).
So, a few days from opening, I went to their Megamall service center rather excitedly and brought my concern. What a let down!
I was told they don’t have stock of the parts I need. Sure, I said, when will you have it? They can’t answer my question, NOR WOULD THEY ENTERTAIN AN ORDER for said part.
Instead, I was given a number (mobile) to call by end of the week. Lo and Behold, when time came when I had to call that number (I was told to call a specific day) NO ONE IS ANSWERING. Since it is mobile, I also sent SMS. Nada.
My disappointment led me to do several things, including leaving a subtle message on their FB page, asking about it. Nada, not even an acknowledgment that they received my concern.
Nikon needs to learn a thing or two about customer service, really. Been looking around for a Canon, out of spite. If only I live in Singapore or some other country where Nikon has a more direct handle of its product and support. Drop Columbia, for crying out loud!
ouch… so the service center is just like a showroom then… boo.
Columbia Services… think again…
We purchased Nikon D7000 last Feb 2011 in Thailand to prepare for a much awaited diving trip last September. After a thousand land and underwater photos taken, it suddenly flashed an ERR message at the LCD. Careful visual check up of the camera showed that the shutter seem to got stuck up. In the middle of the ocean, the helplessness and disappointment of this unfortunate event is indescribable. Apparently, the Nikon D7000 purchased is stricken by the unfortunate sickness of having the shutter stuck no matter how much care you have given it (could be the defect of the first few batches).
Due to time and schedule conflicts, we decided to have it repaired in the Philippines and almost happy to find out about Columbia Services situated in SM Megamall. One of our friends had his repaired for the same problem so we felt a bit of confidence that the service and repair will go well.
Here now starts the saga of having a defective unit and unreliable and unprofessional service.
· First of all, calling the shop is very difficult. They have a lot of numbers but none of them are working (so what’s the point!!). Until I was able to call their branch itself in Quezon City and gave me the same set of numbers that are uncontactable.
· I finally manage to bring it in their shop the last week of September. I complained about the numbers and they said the landline is broke and the cellphones are always busy. They gave me a few more numbers then. After inspecting the unit, they gave me a claim stub. They will call me after one week because that is the diagnosing time. Only then will they advise me if for repair or part replacement.
· As diligent as I could, I followed up the first week and nothing. They managed to redeem themselves by calling me days after the promised one week on the condition of the camera. They told me that the shutter was loose and there is a scratch on the CCD. I asked them how did it happen to have a scratch (which we have doubt whether the scratch was caused by them but we will never know).
· The lady cannot explain to me how it happened and cannot explain the effect that will have on the photos
· The shutter blade seems also crumpled. How the hell did they take it apart. So they gave me a notice that they will still check if can be repaired or replaced.
· After already giving them more than a week to diagnose, the technician assigned to it cannot even tell immediately if for repair or replacement! Initially they said they can repair for Php6000.
· However, few days later they confirmed back the repair cannot be done and now they need to replace the parts at Php17,000. Which we decided to go ahead as we just want the camera back in good working condition again.
· Initially, they said it will be fast because the parts are already ordered. In one week it will be done.
· I followed up after a week but I was told that there were shipping problems and have to wait and check back in a week time. The following week I called in twice (early and late that week) and still nothing. So we decided to pull out the unit and told them will pick up the unit on particular day.
· Once at the shop, I inspected it and was horrified how it was assembled back. The crumpled shutter was stuck dangling in between the blades. It was apparent to me that the technician assigned to this work did not do a great job. I was currently being attended to by another technician that couldn’t explain to me how to take apart the camera. What will be the implications of the assembly they did and why did they assemble it that way. I would expect a Nikon technician would be able to give you some explanation/clarification rather than basically saying “it was not me” ….
· I was asking them when the store manager will come in and they said for another 2 hours. The technician apologised because he wasn’t the one who took it apart. So I asked for the technician who was assigned to the job and surprise surprise that particular technician was not in as it was his day-off (this is after we have told them the day and time we will come in the pick-up the unit).
· So we asked for them to call the technician so we can talk. Then they pull out another surprise, they do not have a contact number of the technician (how is that possible!!!). Wow … we were so mad and upset but also had a feeling that this is not going get us anywhere since they clearly have no intention of providing professional services to their customers. We just took our camera and left and will never return to this place.
How could have they attained the certification from Nikon as the service center in the Philippines … that’s just beyond me. They do not have the service capability, they do not have the service mind, they do not have the service professionalism.
For the owner of Nikon cameras out there … In times of need, think hard and think again before you decide to have your camera service/repair at this place.
called up, was answered by joyce. very helpfull. quite clear. warm voice. looking forward in having my DSLR service and cleaned tommorrow.
thank you very much,
felix
p.s.
will let you know how things will come tru
sige… let us know rin how much cleaning costs. i think i’m due one. thanks felix!
im back,
had my old D70s CCD sensor cleaned. very satisfied with the way they handeled my concerns.
Joy anne did a wonderfull job recieving my unit. even had the time to chat with Daniel C. the technician. gave me a few pointers on proper handling.(keeping it dust free)
total cost P2000.oo cleaning
friends gained a lot.
time spent…very well worth it.
thank you very much
saludos,
felix
note: my D70s is a 2005 model
shutter actuation count 40,000+++
clean bill of health
next project lens cleaning and D90 tune-up
just a friedly reminder… the Nikon Repair Service (Columbia….) dont have the guts and confidence to open up and repair a Lens
and they call them selves a repair center.
what’s the model of your lens? mine was an old 50mm f1.2. they refused to open my unit for the reason that the parts of an old models is easily broke and they said that this can no longer be replace if it happen.
Hi Tony! Update us about your lens that requires repair/cleaning.
Guys may i ask na hindi daw sila nag re-repair ng lens? if that so bakit pa sila tinawag na service center?
badtrip naman pa-ayus ko sana kit lense ko ehh.
baka naka experience nyo na rin to?
>> pag nag zoom in and zoom out ako hindi na siya smooth pag iniikot na. accidente kasi na laglag ng cousin ko ehh. pero gumagana pa naman yun nga lang hindi na siya smooth. Y_Y
hi cris,
any update on your kit lens?
This place is horrible! Avoid it at all cost! My kit lens 18-105mm needs a repair. One of the Len mount broke off. Anyway the part is 700 pesos and they had the common sense to charge 2000 pesos for labor. What kind of shtt is that. I hope this place closes down soon! Very disappointed. It’s not about the money, but just don’t make us look stupid. I choose to buy a Nikon camera thinking that the customer service can’t be as bad as the canon in shaw but they are equality horrendous.
Luckily I anticipated this and bought my unit I. The states complete with a 3 year warranty. I will just have to wait till may to get my lens replace.
pano po pag hindi na magopen ang camera. Na over lobat po sya.
pano po pag hindi na magopen ang camera. Na over lobat po sya
i fell in a swimming pool the other day.. unfortunately my nikkon d3000 was with me.. can i still get it fixed?
Did their service improved for the last couple of months? I need to get my speedlight fixed right away. Or can anyone point me to the right person..Regards everyone!