Camera Repair

If you have ever seen the inside of a modern camera you would understand why repairs on them are so expensive. You might also marvel at how long they do last and how rugged they are! But they don't last forever and we handle hundreds of repairs through the course of a typical year.

When a recent model (less than 7 years out of production) does need a repair it's best to send it to the manufacturer. They will have the parts and facilities to best deal with the repair. There is no repair facility in our area. We can, however, perform some minor repairs in store - eg. shutter blades, unjamming, rewind knobs, loose screws, etc.

The standard warranty for new cameras is one year. Many of the cameras we sell come with extended warranties of 3 to 5 years for no extra charge. You need only the receipt with date of purchase to validate the warranty. Sending the product's warranty card/questioneer back does not do that! Send the product with copy of receipt, description of problem, and return address to the company's repair address indicated in the original packaging. Make sure it is insured for its replacement value and don't send the batteries, case, etc.! For your convenience the addresses of the facilities we deal with are listed at the bottom of this page. For non-warranty repairs the company will send you an estimate of the cost (see notes below). You will be asked to approve and pay for the repair before it is performed. Generally the process takes from four to six weeks.

Total Camera & Video policy on warranty repairs of products purchased from us:

Within 30 days

If the product is in NEW condition AND all original packaging is intact, including unfilled warranty cards, we may - at our option - replace the product with another.

Within 90 days

We'll send the product to the company on your behalf no charge. They will then send the product directly back to you no charge - providing warranty conditions are met.

During the remainder of the warranty period

Same as within 90 days except that there will be a $10.00 shipping/insurance and handling charge.

For products not purchased from us or out of  warranty (also read notes below)

A $25.00 handling charge (which includes return shipping) applies to most items.
For certain larger or costlier items and video camcorders a $35.00 charge applies.

Notes
Point and shoot cameras that are more than 7 years out of production are most often not repairable for lack of parts.

It is often cheaper to replace even some of the newer cameras (especially point and shoot models) than the cost of repair! Camera prices have come way down in the last two years!

Water damaged cameras - especially salt water - are generally not economically feasible to repair.

Older cameras

Flat rate repair - because of their complexity, cameras a lumped into "flate rate" catagories where a fixed charge is applied depending on the model. They do not open it up to see what the problem is. As a dealer, when we send a product for repair the "flat rate" cost is known beforehand from charts provided to us. The product is automatically repaired by the company then charged to our account and returned to us. Therefore payment for repair must be made before the product is sent.

Typical "flat rate"camera repair costs

Non-zoom point and shoot
$50-$100 plus S&H

Zoom model point & shoot
$90-$150 plus S&H

Reflex cameras (Newer AF)
$140-$200 plus S&H

Here's an example of how it might be wiser to replace than to repair.
The PENTAX IQ 80-G refurbished all automatic 35mm point and shoot camera. Features 38-80 zoom lens, sophisticated auto exposure, self- timer, date imprinter, Infinity focus mode, even time exposure! Full one year PENTAX warranty $69.95!

Also see our monthly specials.

Warranty on repairs can be from 60 days to one year. MAKE SURE YOU THOROUGHLY TEST THE PRODUCT AFTER REPAIR. Don' t just put it away until the next vacation!