Dan writes that he was very happy with his Panasonic camera, a point-and-shoot with a nice zoom lens. He would have been happy to pay $100 to get it back in working order and avoid buying a new one. Alas, this was not to be. Since a special part needed to be ordered from Japan, Panasonic wanted $488 to repair a camera that originally cost $300. Dan is better off buying a new camera--which won't be a Panasonic.
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You have to remember the stuff is assembled and packaged by people making $0.30 to $1 per hour. A repair tech costs $25 per hour. Also, when built, all of the parts were sourced locally in China/Taiwan, now those parts have to be shipped from Asia to the US at a great cost. (buying 1pc versus 100,000 pcs)
ReplyDeleteIt's also supply and demand, how many of those parts exist? How common is the failure?
If you're that in love with the camera you'll pay the money. If not, you'll get the newer model with more features. (newer isn't necessarily better)
2nd note: also, keep in mind alot of times the only time electronics are repaired is when the insurance company obligates it... an individual will typically just throw away and buy new. So much like in health care, as soon as it's the insurance company paying for it, prices go up.
ReplyDeleteThat is very common, and not just with Panasonic. I have had the same thing with my VIZO tv. They wanted $600.00 just to look at the tv and it was a $750.00 tv from Wal-Mart. I told them heck no, and just bought a different TV for less (and not from Wal-Mart).
ReplyDeleteWelcome to 2010 Dan! Has Dan been asleep for the last 30 years?
ReplyDeleteElectronics repair has only been this way for a few decades now.
Seriously, what is it with these stories where someone is "shocked" about this common aspect of modern mass manufacturing.