- Report: #360235
Complaint Review: International Camera Repair - Pasadena California
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International Camera Repair
1186 E. Walnut St Pasadena, 91106 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
626-440-0699
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International Camera Repair, Mike Berberian, Haig Berberian, James Berberian Charged me for "replacement parts" in my camera but could not prove they actually replaced anything. Pasadena California
I had a slightly misfocusing Canon EOS 1D camera body, and a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens that needed a slightly loose barrel tightened as well as a clean, lube and adjust. I dropped off both items at International Camera Repair (ICR) in Pasadena, California in the first week of July 2007. At the time, I was reassured by owner Haig Berberian (a.k.a. Haig M Berberian or Mike Berberian) that his business was an authorized Canon repair station and that any parts, if needed, would be ordered directly from Canon USA's parts department.
A week after I dropped off the items, I was notified that parts would be needed to complete the service; in particular: a new "AF module" was needed for the 1D as well as a new CF card cradle. The lens required a new barrel and AF motor. The parts charge was $261 over and above the labor fee. I authorized a go-ahead for both repairs.
At the end of July I was notified that both items were ready. I picked them up and requested, for verification purposes, to see the defective AF module and CF cradle that had been taken out of the camera, as well as the old lens barrel and AF motor from the lens. The receptionist informed me that she would have to ask Mr. Berberian, who was not in that day, and she would call me back the next day.
Three days passed with no word from her so I called. She then told me that their service technician had either discarded or recycled the old parts, and as such they were not available to me. I told her that was fine, but I needed to see the packing slip that came with the new parts they ordered from Canon USA. Again she informed me that she would have to ask the owner. A day later, Mr. Berberian called back and told me that by policy, the parts packing slip was "private company information" and could not be released to the customer.
I still wished to clear ICR of any wrongdoing. Keeping in mind the possibility that Mr. Berberian's claim of company policy was true, I called Canon USA's parts department. A conversation with a helpful Canon representative, who had access to ICR's parts order history, confirmed that no parts for the Canon EOS 1D or the EF 70-200/2.8 lens had been ordered by ICR during the month of July 2007.
I will say that after the service, the camera appeared to focus correctly and the lens barrel was tight (AF was fine originally). However, whether or not the parts in question were simply adjusted, rather than actually "replaced" as ICR claims (and charged me for), cannot be verified. Based on this experience with them and their refusal or inability to admit or prove what they did (or didn't do) to my camera and lens, I cannot recommend International Camera Repair as a reputable camera repair service.
Hyt
Temple City, California
U.S.A.
A week after I dropped off the items, I was notified that parts would be needed to complete the service; in particular: a new "AF module" was needed for the 1D as well as a new CF card cradle. The lens required a new barrel and AF motor. The parts charge was $261 over and above the labor fee. I authorized a go-ahead for both repairs.
At the end of July I was notified that both items were ready. I picked them up and requested, for verification purposes, to see the defective AF module and CF cradle that had been taken out of the camera, as well as the old lens barrel and AF motor from the lens. The receptionist informed me that she would have to ask Mr. Berberian, who was not in that day, and she would call me back the next day.
Three days passed with no word from her so I called. She then told me that their service technician had either discarded or recycled the old parts, and as such they were not available to me. I told her that was fine, but I needed to see the packing slip that came with the new parts they ordered from Canon USA. Again she informed me that she would have to ask the owner. A day later, Mr. Berberian called back and told me that by policy, the parts packing slip was "private company information" and could not be released to the customer.
I still wished to clear ICR of any wrongdoing. Keeping in mind the possibility that Mr. Berberian's claim of company policy was true, I called Canon USA's parts department. A conversation with a helpful Canon representative, who had access to ICR's parts order history, confirmed that no parts for the Canon EOS 1D or the EF 70-200/2.8 lens had been ordered by ICR during the month of July 2007.
I will say that after the service, the camera appeared to focus correctly and the lens barrel was tight (AF was fine originally). However, whether or not the parts in question were simply adjusted, rather than actually "replaced" as ICR claims (and charged me for), cannot be verified. Based on this experience with them and their refusal or inability to admit or prove what they did (or didn't do) to my camera and lens, I cannot recommend International Camera Repair as a reputable camera repair service.
Hyt
Temple City, California
U.S.A.
