Nikon D5000 won't turn on? It's not you, it's broken

Bought a Nikon D5000 and can't figure out why it won't work? Are your symptoms:

1. The camera cannot be operated when the power switch is on, even with a fully charged battery.
2. The camera cannot be operated with the EH-5a AC adapter connected through the EP-5 power connector and the power switch on.

Nikon's there for you. The company issued a statement promising to post a list of affected serial numbers on July 23 (you'll be able to find it on this service advisory page), and perhaps more importantly, details on how it will streamline the process:

Preparations are under way at a special Nikon repair facility to streamline the processes associated to the solution and Nikon will be equipped to correct D5000 cameras at this facility, beginning July 23, 2009. Service related to this issue, including the cost of shipping affected D5000 cameras to Nikon, as well as their return to customers, will be free of charge. To further minimize customer inconvenience, Nikon will return serviced cameras to customers promptly, employing (whenever possible) transportation that limits transit time to two days.

Although not shipping defective cameras would have been better, at least Nikon seems to be responding quickly and appropriately.

[Havoc70]

Wow a company that still knows what customer service is, Nice!

Good Job Nikon

[T_Hoff]

Actually, given that the cameras were DOA and Nikon isn't even ready yet to start receiving cameras in need of repair, they should allow the buyers to return the defective cameras to the place of purchase for exchange (assuming the seller has cameras with serial numbers that aren't affected by the problem).

Just my $0.02...

[filtertmp]

I couldn't agree more with T_Hoff. While I do moderately appreciate the effort Nikon is putting forth, they produced a faulty product, and don't have in place a customer friendly solution. They should give exceptions to the store you bought it at and suck it up. I've had my camera for about 2 months and just experienced the problem for the first time yesterday. I leave for the Virgin Islands this weekend for 8 days. What are the chances that I get to use the $1,800 investment (with adttn'l 18-200mm lens) in one of the most beautiful places in the world? I'm going to try to plead my case to Best Buy where I bought it and see what they do. I don't think my chances are good, but you never know.

When I called the service line at Nikon, they could not tell me how long the repair would take, only that the shipping would only take two days. Is it a week, is it a month?

Asking customers to repackage their product, ship it off for an unknown amount of time, and wait to get it back is just not acceptable in my mind.

[justdaven]

I agree with Havoc70. While the best would be for this not to happen, sometimes stuff happens. At least they handled it right, rather than make the customers jump through hoops, like other companies have...

[ThatGuy2-1]

If it was Apple, they'd have been like "Sorry, your warranty expired when you opened the box" ... lol

[monkeyfun14]

Eh Apple is pretty good on warranties.

I just hate mailing **** out to companies when it doesn't work I just wish they had local facilities where I can drop a broken one off and know it got to where it needed to go.

[kltron]

Canon did a similar thing when they realized a batch of CCDs they got from their manufacturer for the Powershot A75 and related cameras was defective. It was a very straightforward process to send the camera back for the repair, all covered by Canon, including shipping.

[gstah]

@Thatguy2-1 I've personally never had an issue with Apple's CS. In fact, they rate year after year as the best in the industry. Perhaps you had a bad experience, but I'm guessing that you're just a MS shill that doesn't know what he's talking about.

If you talk to serious pro photographers, you'll find that Nikon's CS sux compared to Canon's. I had a lens that, after years of serious use, needed IS adjustment and it was a smooth as could be at the price they quoted me. No complaints. Can't personally speak to Nikon, and obviously they're trying to do the right thing, but in general, Nikons are not as sturdy as Canon and have more issues down the road.

[alexsaves]

Its a rediculous flaw they should have caught in QA, but a classy response to the issue - and one that just might save them in the eyes of consumers. I mean a camera costs a LOT of money and people rely on them.

If they had done any less than that, then it would seriously damage their brand in my eyes.

[joel1961]

When I buy a camera, I want it that day, not when they fix it. If it doesn't work, it goes back to the store for a replacement (probably a different style or brand).

At least in Canada we can do that. Unless you shop at Future Shop, then you're pretty well fvcked mate. lol