how to price a damaged binocular ? (1 Viewer)

[A2GG]

Just sent the little guy to Nikon in his little box. I hope he'll be OK ... sniff sniff

 

[brocknroller]

LOL, I like the Andy Rooney bit. I remember him and that's exactly how he did his segment.

Yes, I tried the SFL 8x40 a couple of times. It's very nice. I still would prefer an Ultravid even though it's heavier.
I only had brief looks through the SFL, but I got a good idea of the handling and focus. I think if I owned an SFL I'd be happy with it.
Maybe by the time I'm ready to buy my next bino there will be a couple more new binoculars to consider too. Right now, I don't even want to think about it anymore after splurging for the new MHG over the weekend.

BOB BARKER: You don’t have to think about it, Beth, but you can dream about it on your new (curtain opens)…Sealy Posturepedic mattress! (cheers from audience). Tell us about it, Don.

DON PARDO: That’s right, Beth, you could have this brand new “Made in America” Queen-sized, Spring Bloom V 15-inch mattress and box spring set. But that’s not all…. It also comes with a plush diamond studded Euro pillow designed by Swarovski Crystal. (the audience roars). The complete set has a retail value of…$1,799.99.

Or… (the curtain goes up on door #2 opens), you can trade for this Unused 7x42 Leica Ultravid HD from JAPAAAN. (the audience goes wild). The retail value…$1,799.99.

[Unused]Leica Ultravid 7x42 HD Water Proof Roof Prism Binocular 40292 From JAPAN | eBay

BETH: I’m so confused, Bob. I want them both. I really do.

BOB: Okay, well perhaps we can find you something even better behind Door #3. All I can tell you is it’s worth a lot more than either the mattress or binoculars.

BETH: Well, I do need new car tires, and I’d like to move to a less densely populated and polluted state. So, I’ll go for the high value item and take a chance with what’s behind Door #3.

BOB: Is that your final choice?

BETH: (she bites on her lip). I dunno. Okay, yes, yes that’s my final choice. (she jumps up and down with anticipation)

BOB: Okay, Don, let’s show Beth what we’ve got for her.

(Door #3 opens and we see a massive pile of small jars).

DON: It’s two hundreeeed jars of Beluga Sturgeon Hybrid Caviar! Retail value: $12,600!

Bob: Now you can invite your friends over for some swanky soirées!

Beth passes out on stage. She awakens in her old bed with spring sticking into her back.

BETH: What a relief! It was just a nightmare. That’s it! I’m sticking with my 8x30 MHG and not thinking about new binoculars any more. But I wonder what Beluga Sturgeon Hybrid Cavair tastes like, so I’m going to order a jar with my Amazon Prime.

 

[A2GG]

LOL
I would have just taken the Ultravid

No more memory foam mattresses for me !
My current is a fancy tempur-pedic and it had awful off gassing chemical smell (from memory foam) when I first bought it.

I'm ordering an Avocado mattress which has no memory foam and very little to no smell out of the box:

Eco Organic Mattress

Our Eco Organic Mattress is comfy, supportive, and radically affordable. GOTS-certified organic. MADE SAFE®. Climate Neutral Certified®. 100-night trial. 10-year warranty. Affirm 0% APR financing.

www.avocadogreenmattress.com

I don't believe I've ever had caviar.

 

[Scott98]

Yes, I've inhaled tons of formaldehyde off my Temperpedic - had to let one sit and outgas for a year before using it. I switched to Mattress Firm's line - I think it's called Tulo - much less of the outgassing problem

 

[A2GG]

Yes, I've inhaled tons of formaldehyde off my Temperpedic - had to let one sit and outgas for a year before using it. I switched to Mattress Firm's line - I think it's called Tulo - much less of the outgassing problem

that's awful! mine didn't smell for a year, but it lingered for a while in the beginning.

 

[Trinovid]

that's awful! mine didn't smell for a year, but it lingered for a while in the beginning.

I’m shopping for a mattress now and you guys are making me nervous!

 

[A2GG]

I’m shopping for a mattress now and you guys are making me nervous!

Try Avocado (link in post 23) ...

or Joybed ...

https://joybeds.com/

 

[brocknroller]

LOL
I would have just taken the Ultravid

No more memory foam mattresses for me !
My current is a fancy tempur-pedic and it had awful off gassing chemical smell (from memory foam) when I first bought it.

I'm ordering an Avocado mattress which has no memory foam and very little to no smell out of the box:

Eco Organic Mattress

Our Eco Organic Mattress is comfy, supportive, and radically affordable. GOTS-certified organic. MADE SAFE®. Climate Neutral Certified®. 100-night trial. 10-year warranty. Affirm 0% APR financing.

www.avocadogreenmattress.com

I don't believe I've ever had caviar.

I probably would have chosen the Ultravid, too. I could always get a back operation.

I passed on memory foam for the same reason, the smell. I have fuel oil heat here, that's enough pollutants. I did consider buying an Avocado since they also had good reviews by back pain suffers, but Idle Sleep was having a half price sale, so I bought a gel foam mattress, however, it's a little too mushy.

I should have returned it during my trial period, but I moved and didn't have a back-up since the movers mistakenly threw away my comfy reclining chair (which cost as much as the bed). I used to sleep in when my back hurt, so it was literally a "back-up." I bought an adjustible bed frame, but haven't assembled it yet, that might help.

Cavier tastes fishy and very salty. If you ate 200 jars, you'd either die of high blood pressure or kidney failure. But in moderation, it can be delightful, or so they tell me. I prefer fish over fish eggs.

Let me know what you think of the Avocado in a PM.

Brock

 

[A2GG]

good news ... there's no charge for the repair. I got the quote from Nikon earlier today.

 

[A2GG]

wow. Just got my binocular delivered. They didn’t repair my old one. They gave me a brand new MHG. I didn’t expect this at all. Ultimately it’s good because I paid $560 for my refurbished one 2.5 years ago.

Didn’t look through it yet but the focuser is tight (a bit stiff) and I prefer this. The mhg I purchased at the nature store a few weeks ago has a looser focus; smooth but easier to turn (less resistance). Usually I prefer easier to turn but with this Nikon model I prefer the focus action to be a bit tight. It helps me dial in optimum focus easier.

 

[A2GG]

Just realized something: When I sent in my bino for repair to Nikon I sent only the binocular. So now I have the original hard case which I love and the new standard case they offer . Nice to have both cases for whichever HG I keep. The case looks kind of big in the photo but it’s actually pretty small.

 

[MiddleRiver]

I've never known how customer service folks see their 'reputation' or whether they hang out in forums like this one etc., but it seems to me like outstanding service like that should be understood to create a loyal 'fan base'. I realize it's not always perfect, but one of the reasons I'm a Leica fan is because I've always had great dealings with service (dating back 20-30 years with cameras) and to this day I can pick up the phone and talk to a real person, who appears eager to 'do the right thing' for the customer.
...it certainly makes me glad I picked up HG's for my wife, tho of course I hope never to need it!

 

[Steve C]

I'm with Andy here. Even if you really don't want to send it in, a request will very likely get you a new cap in the mail at no cost. Once you get the new cap, some contact cement and little to no effort will attach it good as new. As to price, that to a large degree depends on what you need out of it to help buy your new backup glass. Take good pictures, be upfront about it and if it were mine I'd price it no less than 50% new.

 

[puprescue]

I've never known how customer service folks see their 'reputation' or whether they hang out in forums like this one etc., but it seems to me like outstanding service like that should be understood to create a loyal 'fan base'. I realize it's not always perfect, but one of the reasons I'm a Leica fan is because I've always had great dealings with service (dating back 20-30 years with cameras) and to this day I can pick up the phone and talk to a real person, who appears eager to 'do the right thing' for the customer.
...it certainly makes me glad I picked up HG's for my wife, tho of course I hope never to need it!

the following is off original topic.........hope it doesn't appear i'm hijacking this thread.

i ran over my Leica 10X25 Ultravids with a four wheeler [2007] and did extensive damage. sent in under warranty and they made them like new. had to send them in a second time two years later.....cannot remember how i damaged them, but they made them like new. very impressed with Leica customer service. 10X25's are still in my small herd.

 

[A2GG]

I'm with Andy here. Even if you really don't want to send it in, a request will very likely get you a new cap in the mail at no cost. Once you get the new cap, some contact cement and little to no effort will attach it good as new. As to price, that to a large degree depends on what you need out of it to help buy your new backup glass. Take good pictures, be upfront about it and if it were mine I'd price it no less than 50% new.

Hi Steve,
You’re late to the party. I sent it in for repair and already received a new replacement MHG.
See post 30.

 

[A2GG]

I used my new replacement hg 8x30 this morning. It’s excellent. I’m very happy with my first Nikon service experience.

I wonder if Nikon decided not to repair the binocular after they realized it was originally purchased as a refurbished unit.

 

[Steve C]

Hi Steve,
You’re late to the party. I sent it in for repair and already received a new replacement MHG.
See post 30.

Well, I sure missed that one as I went through the thread. My speed reader sometimes malfunctions.

 

[A2GG]

Well, I sure missed that one as I went through the thread. My speed reader sometimes malfunctions.

remember those old tv commercials 'learn how to speed read' ? what a scam that was.

 

[Steve C]

Yeah I had forgotten about those. I think I must have stopped off for a nap on one of those mattress posts and slept through post 30.

 

[brocknroller]

Just realized something: When I sent in my bino for repair to Nikon I sent only the binocular. So now I have the original hard case which I love and the new standard case they offer . Nice to have both cases for whichever HG I keep. The case looks kind of big in the photo but it’s actually pretty small.

Beth,

Good deal! Send in a refurb and get back a brandy new one.

Wish Nikon was consistent. I didn't have the same experience. I sent in an under warranty Nikon 8x32 SE because the EPs had balsam separation, and they sent it back with a note saying they couldn't find anything wrong with it, so they just cleaned it. UGH.

Don't worry about the extra case, Nikon asks you to send the binoculars in for repairs without any accessories. Glad you got an upgraded case. Does it have a strap? That's my beef with Nikon cases, none of the ones that came with any of my many Nikon binoculars have straps except the older WFs, which had hard cases with straps, but not the soft cases. So you need to use the binoculars' strap for carrying the bins with the case, but once you take the bins out of the case, what do you do with the case? Lay them down on the ground (and walk away and forgot about them?) or try to hold them between your legs?! (that will help in case you got to pee )

The 30mm HG models were introduced in June 2018, so you would think they have Nikon's latest updated coatings, which were introduced in 2017. The latest AR coatings have a flat spectrum that increases brightness, reduces flaring, and gives true-to-life color rendition. But Nikon is always updating its coatings without notice. So compare the refurb to the new one and see if you notice any difference in the coatings.

Enjoy!

Brock