Nikon has expanded its campaign to restrict the availability of repair parts. It has notified authorized Nikon dealers that they will no longer be able to buy repair parts. That means consumers, independent repair facilities and dealers will no longer be able to obtain parts directly from Nikon.

In another action, even Nikon's authorized service centers are feeling the pinch. They have already been experiencing long backorders on repair parts, hampering their ability to service cameras in anything resembling a timely manner. Nikon is now telling these same authorized service centers they should send affected cameras into Nikon for repair. Cameras affected are: D3000, D3100, D5100, D7000, D70s, D80, D90, and D300s. That would suggest Nikon is retaining spare parts for its own repairs, but the reality is Nikon frequently outsources its "factory" repairs. Furthermore, if anyone still thinks this is a matter of ensuring high quality repairs, one only has to check the Better Business Bureau to find Nikon's own California repair facility has an "F" rating.

Signatures are growing on the petition started by the Society of Photo Technologists. Here is the link: [link]

Please sign the petition and share it with friends and contacts.

If Nikon gets away with this, other marks may follow suit. Not only is this restraint of trade, affecting consumers' choice as to where and who they want to repair their cameras, but it also realistically means an end to any timely repairs of Nikon cameras. It adds to the throw-away culture we have created. Even though you have spent thousands on your Nikon camera, you have very little expectation of timely repair if something goes wrong.

It only takes a few seconds to sign the online petition. Please add your voice to this issue.

William Sampson
Moderator NikonRepair@yahoogroups.com