How Not to do Customer Service
Nikon recently recalled the EN-EL3 batteries that were shipped with many Nikon D70s, including mine. Apparently they can get overheated during recharging.
These things happen. Nikon were let down by their contractor making the batteries, and now they’re fixing the problem. Fine so far as it goes. Some time last week I did what they asked to start the procedure to get a replacement: I registered my battery on the Nikon support website. Over a week later, and the Kraken wakes:
Nikon Response
Dear Jonathan,
We are pleased to inform you that a replacement battery is now available and we have shipped a pre-paid envelope to you which you should receive within 5-10 working days (depending on country). Please place the battery inside the pre-paid envelope and post it back to us, the return address is already printed on the return envelope.
When we receive your battery, we will send a replacement by return post and you should receive it within 5-10 days of receipt of your battery.
Kind Regards,
Nikon Europe Support
All I can say is, it’s a good job that I chose to buy after-market batteries off eBay rather than extra official EN-EL3s as my spares. Without them, my D70 would be entirely useless for a month or more. Not good enough, not good enough at all. What do Nikon think they are achieving by waiting for a duff battery before deigning to replace it? If I don’t own a D70, what use to me is a battery that only fits that camera? What possible kind of scam could I be running? They are succeeding in alienating customers who’ve spent hundreds of pounds on their products for the sake of twenty quid’s worth of replacement parts.