Fuji S9500 - dead already

[Luke]

I bought an S9500 in January and in all honesty haven't been comfortable with it from the first day. (a search in this section will demonstrate that!).
On Saturday, it refused to power on. I've tried new alkaline batteries, fully charged rechargeables, reseating memory cards and checking that it is not between settings on the function wheels.
All to no avail.

I called Fuji tech support this morning, but all they can do is take the camera back for inspection.

Now the frustrating part - I can't find the receipt...

As I can't provide proof of purchase, I'm going to have to pay £120 for them to repair it. Now I know that the camera is worth over £300, but I'm having a dilemma about spending that much on a camera I'm not particularly happy with it.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this, probably just thinking aloud, so apologies if anyone finds it spam like. I'm just not sure what to do about it.

If I had the money, I'd cut my losses and buy an enty level DSLR, but I dont.
Another really annoying thing is that my first child is due in two weeks, and I was really looking forward to using the camera to get some decent shots following the birth.

Grrr........


(thanks for listening!)

 

[Luke]

Did you buy it from a shop?

The chances are if you did they will still have your details on the system...a copy of your receipt may be only a postcode search away...


You also might be able to check with Fuji when then camera was made by either a manufactured date or possibly the serial number.


*crosses fingers for you*

Thanks for all of the replies, but in particular to you, TheBigCheese! I called the shop I bought it from and they can do me a duplicate receipt which I can collect from store tonight.

Once I've got the camera working again, I can take them on regarding the lack of picture quality which seems to be a common sensor fault accordning to many users on other forums.

Thanks for all the advice guys,

 

[Luke]

I've dropped you an email mohain.

 

[Luke]

If you bought it in January this year go back to the shop you bought it from. Its their problem not Fuji's. You wont need a receipt but a credit card bill or something similar as proof of purchase would be useful.

As its faulty within the first 6 months the burden of proof is on them to prove it wasn't faulty at the time of purchase. You should have no problem getting a refund or replacement.

My understanding was that it was a standard 30 day retailer return warranty followed by 12 months manufaturers warranty?

 

[Luke]

I'm utterly over the moon!

I went to the shop in question, and asked for a copy of the receipt. It took the bloke a while to get it, but he managed it.
I then explained the problem, and asked for an exchange.
He looked up the product warranty on his system, and it was specifically return to Fuji, no instore exchange.
I then pleaded to his better nature and explained that my wife was due to give birth and that I'd bought the camera specifically to take pictured of the baby. Again, he reiterated that he could only be governed by what the manufacturer told him. I then got the DTI info provided earlier and explained that according to the sale of goods act my contract was with him, not Fuji.
At this point I started to lose him further and could tell I was going to get nowhere down this track, so I again tried to plead with him (very embarrassing in a busy store, but some things are worth it!). At this point he offered to speak to the duty manager for me. I profusely thanked him.
When he arrived back with the manager, she got him to try some new batteries to confirm the problem. This obviously didn't work.
They then disappeared for a while and came back with a new unopened box with a new S9500 within.

She explained that normally people come up with all sorts of sob stories about needing exchanges when they aren't entitled to them, but as my very heavily pregnant wife was with me, she could see we were genuine.

So the short version is, I have a new camera, and am very very happy with that particular shop for the first time in my life!!!

I have taken a few shots with the new camera, and they seem a lot clearer even in point and shoot mode with no care taken.
Things are looking very good!

Thanks for the advice given, it's another OcUK success story!

 

[Luke]

Before, I was finding it exceptionally difficult to get a clear non blurry picture, using auto, PASM modes, tripod, self timer or shutter release cable. It looked for all intents and purposes like there was cameral blur, and infact several people here suggested that cameral shake was the problem.
Since getting back, I have fired off a few quick snaps with the camera in my hands and have already got a less blurry result.
I'll try to emulate a shot I took with the old camera and post both for comparison later.

 

[Luke]

competitor.....names......everywhere.

fini

That's a good point. If a mod would prefer me to edit them out, let me know.