Precision Camera Works problem

jm3795 · Oct 4, 2016

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to ask if anyone was currently having trouble getting in touch with Bob Watkins at PCW. I sent my Mamiya 7II nearly 2 months ago and have barely heard back from him. Last time I was able to get in touch with him was 2 weeks ago. Since then, he hasn't answered a single call. The most frustrating part is how I was billed for his services weeks ago and still haven't (1) gotten back my camera and (2) haven't been able to get in touch with him regarding the status of my camera. Just wanted to know if anyone else that has stuff with PCW now is having trouble getting in contact.

Eric Rose · Oct 4, 2016

Send him a registered letter stating you will have the charges reversed if you don't hear back from him within 24hrs of receipt. Plus have your camera shipped back to you at his expense.

mweintraub · Oct 12, 2016

I was just near there, I should have knocked on his door.

jm3795 · Nov 30, 2016

Bump, it's been almost 4 months now since I've sent in my camera and it's still impossible to get in touch with anyone from PCW these past weeks. I've called over a dozen times, left voicemail, emailed with no luck. Last contact was an email sent 3 weeks ago saying my camera was almost fixed. Just wondering if anyone's having similar issues getting in contact.

6x7 · Dec 7, 2016

jm3795 said:
Bump, it's been almost 4 months now since I've sent in my camera and it's still impossible to get in touch with anyone from PCW these past weeks. I've called over a dozen times, left voicemail, emailed with no luck. Last contact was an email sent 3 weeks ago saying my camera was almost fixed. Just wondering if anyone's having similar issues getting in contact.

I have had Bob repair cameras for me in the past, and have never had trouble getting ahold of him, though I haven't had reason to contact him since the last repair, which was done well.

I do recall him requiring payment upfront, but if memory serves me, it took him about 3 weeks to get the camera back.

My guess is he is either backed up with repairs or is waiting on a part to arrive. On the flip side, I hope nothing has happened to him; he is a nice guy and does good work.

btaylor · Dec 7, 2016

I find myself in a similar situation, I sent a Linhof viewfinder in for repair on November 1. I quickly got a quote and agreed to it. 2 weeks later I asked for an update, no response. I sent another query on December 5th, no response. I hope he is okay as well.

Bob Carnie · Dec 7, 2016

This seems to be a problem.. with some of these types of operations, I was trying to fix my Pentax 6 x7 , got some reference but the communication with the vendor was so short and not very open I refused to send my camera...

In small business communication with your client is first and formost, even if you are screwing up they should know .

Bob Carnie · Dec 7, 2016

6x7 said:
I have had Bob repair cameras for me in the past, and have never had trouble getting ahold of him, though I haven't had reason to contact him since the last repair, which was done well.

I do recall him requiring payment upfront, but if memory serves me, it took him about 3 weeks to get the camera back.

My guess is he is either backed up with repairs or is waiting on a part to arrive. On the flip side, I hope nothing has happened to him; he is a nice guy and does good work.

Nice guys finish last , I would go to Bobs shop and get my gear from him. extreme but to the point.

jm3795 · Dec 7, 2016

btaylor said:
I find myself in a similar situation, I sent a Linhof viewfinder in for repair on November 1. I quickly got a quote and agreed to it. 2 weeks later I asked for an update, no response. I sent another query on December 5th, no response. I hope he is okay as well.

Ok, at least I know other people are having similar issues. Something must be going on there. I've sent a Mamiya lens for a CLA to him before and I had no problems with that transaction.

jm3795 · Dec 24, 2016

Bumping to see if anyone else has made contact with the PCW folks within the last month

shutterlight · Jan 2, 2017

I contacted him via email on December 26th and heard back on December 30th. I'm pretty sure it's just him and perhaps one other person, so that means events in his life can throw things off in a major way. He's repaired my 7 on two occasions (the first being in 2012, and the second in 2015), along with a couple check-ups afterward that were under the six month warranty he offers with a CLA.

I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner-- I would have tried to contact him for the OP.

Just to restate: I've heard from him very recently, two days ago at this writing. I'm more than a bit surprised at the trouble the OP is having, or did have. It's not in keeping with the success I've had in the past with Bob, though that doesn't have much to do with the situation in question.

jm3795 · Jan 2, 2017

shutterlight said:
I contacted him via email on December 26th and heard back on December 30th. I'm pretty sure it's just him and perhaps one other person, so that means events in his life can throw things off in a major way. He's repaired my 7 on two occasions (the first being in 2012, and the second in 2015), along with a couple check-ups afterward that were under the six month warranty he offers with a CLA.

I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner-- I would have tried to contact him for the OP.

Just to restate: I've heard from him very recently, two days ago at this writing. I'm more than a bit surprised at the trouble the OP is having, or did have. It's not in keeping with the success I've had in the past with Bob, though that doesn't have much to do with the situation in question.

I actually got a response from Bob as well. Still got no explanation on his end but my camera is finally being shipped back.

btaylor · Jan 4, 2017

I just called him and he answered, he gave me an update on my viewfinder repair. No explanation as to his lack of response earlier, but he seems to be back in the swing of things.

jm3795 · Jan 4, 2017

Thankfully, I also got a response as well. No explanation about his absence which I still find strange.

yurihuta · Jan 5, 2017

I've had two Widelux's repaired by Bob Watkins recently and both turned out great. I am getting ready to send him a messed up Noblex 150.

Communication was on par with a small camera store / repair shop. Not immediate, but I was not expecting immediate.

jm3795 · Jan 5, 2017

yurihuta said:
I've had two Widelux's repaired by Bob Watkins recently and both turned out great. I am getting ready to send him a messed up Noblex 150.

Communication was on par with a small camera store / repair shop. Not immediate, but I was not expecting immediate.

To be fair, I wasn't expecting instantaneous communication as well but over a month with no communication is a little extreme in my opinion.

Precision Camera Works problem

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