Is This A Fair Repair Fee? at DVinfo.net

Sam Druckerman · November 6th, 2005, 02:43 AM

Hi to all and a Big Thanks to Everyone here for sharing so much great info ..... I've been lurking here for years and I have learned from you all.

My PD150 started having audio and video drop outs.

I called Sony ... $575 flat fee? Ouch!

After about an hour I picked my self up off the floor and found ......

ComputerWorks Technologies in Burbank, they charge $35.00 fee for an estimate....

The estimate came in for a Tape Path & Tension Adjustment, and Cleaning ....
3 hours X 89.00 = $267.00

Is this a fair price?

Can anyone tell me, I just don't know.

If it's fair, I'll gladly pay it. But...

It just seems to me .... 3 hours is a Long Time to Adjust and Clean.

I live in LA, if anyone has any info on ComputerWorks Technologies, or another repair shop they can recommend?

Or any comments that might help .....

I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Paul Vlachos · November 6th, 2005, 09:22 AM

That's not necessarily so steep if they have to go into the machine at all. It's time-consuming to open up a deck like that, and it has to be done in a strict sequence. Then there's the adjustment time. Then there's the fact that they need to make a profit, like everyone else.

You could always shop it around for another estimate, but I doubt you'll get something a whole lot lower.

Sony's one-fee system is really a ream, in my arrogant opinion.

Sam Druckerman · November 6th, 2005, 03:45 PM

Thanks Paul, for your response.

Okay, good to know someone thinks it's ... *Fair*

I have to agree about the sony fee policy.

It Stinks.

-----------------------------------------------

Any one ever have this type of adjustment done?

Opinion's welcome.

Thanks

Pat Sherman · November 9th, 2005, 08:15 PM

my experience with sony..
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....5&postcount=10

Sam Druckerman · November 10th, 2005, 11:59 AM

Hi Pat,

Thanks for chiming in.

That's an amazing deal you received and I'm glad that worked out for you.

I had to replace my drum heads/mechanism a couple of years ago and it was about $1200.00...... the camera was sent to sony for repair.

Also, when I spoke to Sony last week, they said "$575.00 would be the minimum, and if it needs heads the price would be alot more".

But, I think you make a good point, sometimes companys can be generous.

I approved the repair for $267.00 and it is now ready.

I think/hope I did the right thing, I'm on way now to pick up the camera.

Pat Sherman · November 10th, 2005, 04:41 PM

Well I know for the PD-170 it's a flat fee no matter what the problem is, according to the person I talked too. When I did mention a service down the road for one of my 150's, she did say it starts at the flat fee amount for the 170..

Sam Druckerman · November 10th, 2005, 07:55 PM

Pat

........... > "she did say it starts at the flat fee amount " <.......

I don't want to be charged a starting fee of $575.00 + by Sony if it's just needs a minor adjustment.

I think I was over charged at $267.00 .......

Honestly, I would really be surprised if the tech had my camera on his bench for much more than an hour.

But, as Paul claerly pointed out....... > " Then there's the fact that they need to make a profit, like everyone else. "<.......

Oh Well, I have my camera ....

time to get back to work.

Pat Sherman · November 10th, 2005, 09:10 PM

That's what I meant, for my 150's Sony won't be getting my business..
:)

Sam Druckerman · November 10th, 2005, 09:18 PM

OOOOOHHHHHHHH!

Now..... I understand.

It's been a looong day.

November 6th, 2005, 02:43 AM	#1
Sam Druckerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA. Posts: 95	Is This A Fair Repair Fee? Hi to all and a Big Thanks to Everyone here for sharing so much great info ..... I've been lurking here for years and I have learned from you all. My PD150 started having audio and video drop outs. I called Sony ... $575 flat fee? Ouch! After about an hour I picked my self up off the floor and found ...... ComputerWorks Technologies in Burbank, they charge $35.00 fee for an estimate.... The estimate came in for a Tape Path & Tension Adjustment, and Cleaning .... 3 hours X 89.00 = $267.00 Is this a fair price? Can anyone tell me, I just don't know. If it's fair, I'll gladly pay it. But... It just seems to me .... 3 hours is a Long Time to Adjust and Clean. I live in LA, if anyone has any info on ComputerWorks Technologies, or another repair shop they can recommend? Or any comments that might help ..... I would appreciate it. Thanks __________________ Sam Last edited by Sam Druckerman; November 6th, 2005 at 03:47 PM.

November 6th, 2005, 09:22 AM	#2
Paul Vlachos Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 88	That's not necessarily so steep if they have to go into the machine at all. It's time-consuming to open up a deck like that, and it has to be done in a strict sequence. Then there's the adjustment time. Then there's the fact that they need to make a profit, like everyone else. You could always shop it around for another estimate, but I doubt you'll get something a whole lot lower. Sony's one-fee system is really a ream, in my arrogant opinion. __________________ One day at a time.

November 6th, 2005, 03:45 PM	#3
Sam Druckerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA. Posts: 95	Thanks Paul, for your response. Okay, good to know someone thinks it's ... Fair I have to agree about the sony fee policy. It Stinks. ----------------------------------------------- Any one ever have this type of adjustment done? Opinion's welcome. Thanks __________________ Sam

November 10th, 2005, 11:59 AM	#5
Sam Druckerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA. Posts: 95	Hi Pat, Thanks for chiming in. That's an amazing deal you received and I'm glad that worked out for you. I had to replace my drum heads/mechanism a couple of years ago and it was about $1200.00...... the camera was sent to sony for repair. Also, when I spoke to Sony last week, they said "$575.00 would be the minimum, and if it needs heads the price would be alot more". But, I think you make a good point, sometimes companys can be generous. I approved the repair for $267.00 and it is now ready. I think/hope I did the right thing, I'm on way now to pick up the camera. __________________ Sam

November 10th, 2005, 07:55 PM	#7
Sam Druckerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA. Posts: 95	Pat ........... > "she did say it starts at the flat fee amount " <....... I don't want to be charged a starting fee of $575.00 + by Sony if it's just needs a minor adjustment. I think I was over charged at $267.00 ....... Honestly, I would really be surprised if the tech had my camera on his bench for much more than an hour. But, as Paul claerly pointed out....... > " Then there's the fact that they need to make a profit, like everyone else. "<....... Oh Well, I have my camera .... time to get back to work. __________________ Sam

November 9th, 2005, 08:15 PM	#4
Pat Sherman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DuPont, Wa Posts: 325	my experience with sony.. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....5&postcount=10

November 10th, 2005, 04:41 PM	#6
Pat Sherman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DuPont, Wa Posts: 325	Well I know for the PD-170 it's a flat fee no matter what the problem is, according to the person I talked too. When I did mention a service down the road for one of my 150's, she did say it starts at the flat fee amount for the 170..

November 10th, 2005, 09:10 PM	#8
Pat Sherman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DuPont, Wa Posts: 325	That's what I meant, for my 150's Sony won't be getting my business.. :)

November 10th, 2005, 09:18 PM	#9
Sam Druckerman Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles CA. Posts: 95	OOOOOHHHHHHHH! Now..... I understand. It's been a looong day. __________________ Sam