Fixation in London

[thewtam]

I am feeling jaded. Not sure what to make of the service from Fixation. Although I don't post here often, I actually take a look at what's happening here most days so thought I'd ask about other people's experiences with Fixation.

I was recommended to them, so last Thursday I booked most of my day to visit with a Nikon D700 and 2 D300s for sensors cleans.

It all went well on the day. Even tweeted their merits to my very very few followers. Tweeted them in fact. But...

Back at studio on Friday I found that one D300 and the D700 still had dirty sensors. Not really happy, I took two images clearly showing a number of spots and emailed the files to Fixation.

The lady I then spoke with said they could get the cameras collected on the Monday (today) and returned on Wednesday, worst case Thursday. I said I'd have to think about things my end given I had jobs booked.

So, postponed today's work to revisit so as to expedite as quickly as possible. Couldn't move Wednesdsy's work and at Focus tomorrow.

So far now this has cost me £50 in train tickets and essentially a day and half in time. Plus the £134 for the original clean.

This morning before leaving I checked both cameras. Oddly they both gave cleaner images than on Friday and only exhibited a couple of spots each but I was on a mission. Fixation did say this morning I could come up later in the week since the files I sent demonstrated the dirty sensors. But I'd rearranged everything so came up this morning.

Took the cameras to them . Wandered off to the Tate. Went back expecting a little chat about what went wrong and a friendly parting.

I have truly done nothing to upset anyone. I hate bitching about companies and individuals and don't really mind things going wrong if they're put right but the cameras were plonked on the counter, I was given a print of the clean sensors and made to feel like I had farted and blamed it on someone else. That was it. The woman turned to the next customer and I took my cameras and I left.

Also, in total I've had contact with 4 different people for this job.

Sitting at Clapham waiting for my train and starting to brew a tad.

At the moment really can't see myself rushing back to Fixation.

So, is it just me?

How have others found them for service etc etc?

Matthew

 

[specialman]

I used them exclusively but due to an issue with a missing lens (which was never fully resolved) since then I've been either sending direct to Nikon or I've tried other service centres (lehmans) and have been very happy with the service from Lehmans. It's not that I wouldn't use Fixation per se, more a case of knowing there are other equally good service centres out there...

 

[PSILVERMAN]

Not heard stories like this. I've only needed to use them once and they did all they said they would in good time so I've no axe to grind. However I perhaps may have thought twice about using them if I'd have read this thread beforehand.

 

[photogav]

Over the years I've done a lot of business with Fixation. Hiring gear, buying gear and getting things fixed. I've never had a sensor cleaned by them as I do mine myself. That way I know they are clean and looked after

However, I've never had any problems with Fixation, except the odd day when the service was a bit slow, but that's as bad as its ever got.

In fact on many occasions they have bent over backwards to help me out. So I think you should put it down to a momentary lapse as most businesses have. TRy complaining and see what happens.

 

[DemiLion]

In fact on many occasions they have bent over backwards to help me out. So I think you should put it down to a momentary lapse as most businesses have. TRy complaining and see what happens.

Some of their staff are renown for being grumpy ( and in a few cases downright rude).

That aside, they are usually pretty damned good.

 

[thewtam]

Thanks for feedback. So it seems a bit mixed. Interesting the comment about them sometimes being grumpy. Maybe just one of those things, I might send them an email saying how I felt though. See what they say.