I purchased a SONY digital camera ($1000) at a Circuit City store in Hoover, Al. I was offered an extended warranty for a few hundred dollars more so I bought it (both literally and figuratively).
"If anything happens to the camera or you have any problems this will cover it...", I was told. After about 18 months the pictures became fuzzy as if they were out of focus. Also, darkened conditions where the flash would once fire automatically, does no more, producing very dark images.
I took the camera back to the store where the purchase was made. They didn't seem to care much except to give me a toll-free number to call. I asked to use their phone and made the call while I was there.
After nine menu entries I selected the one I thought was appropriate—provided name, phone, product, etc. And was then asked about my problem. I think that was what I was asked, the respondant could barely speak english and I had to ask him to repeat his questions two and sometimes three times.
Does the camera have a manual? (yes). No, I mean a manual focus? (yes). Have you tried it? (why? I want to use the automatic focus feature). But if you try the manual focus at least we'll know that you can focus the camera. (But if the camera is out of focus in manual mode, wouldn't that mean that it is a user problem rather than the camera). OK, What size pictures have you been taking? (Mostly 640X480, the smallest size.) Have you tried larger sizes? (Not lately). Well try some larger sizes and see if they are better. Sometimes their are problems with small sizes... (Enough of this)!
I asked to speak with the manager but he was on vacation. I spoke with the assistant who was very nice, accommodating but reiterated that that is just the way it is.
While there I noticed this displayed in the return area: "If your're not satisfied, we're not satisfied" with a corporate telephone number (I thought to complain if you had one). So I called them and they were very nice, accommodating but they said that's the way it is.
I have spent many thousands of dollars at Circuit over the past twelve years and it has ended... Only because they took my $250 and I got nothing for it except a good lesson.
Jim
Helena, Alabama
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