Not a pretty picture

Not a pretty picture

I bought a Kodak DC 240 digital camera about nine months ago
(it is still under warranty) from one of PT Macindo dealers in
Indonesia. I brought the camera in for servicing to PT Macindo on
March 6, 2000. (PT Macindo is the authorized distributor for
Kodak digital cameras in Indonesia, as known from their
aggressive promotion).

PT Macindo could not service the camera and had to send it to
Kodak Singapore for service. PT Macindo can only sell the cameras
and has no capability for after-sales service (they said the
camera had "serious damage").

Kodak Singapore asked for S$200 merely for labor, with the
argument that it was the customer's fault, the teeth of the
camera were broken (how can Kodak prove that it was the
customer's fault?). I refused to pay the charges, as the camera
is still under warranty.

At last, I offered them the chance to return to me US$482.40
($600 for the camera less S$200 in repair charges) and they could
keep the camera, but their "generous" offer was $177 after
numerous deductions. I refused.

I would not have bought a Kodak digital camera in the first
place if I had been aware of the lousy service they provide.

I complained to Kodak USA and Kodak Australia with no results
(they just forwarded my letter to Kodak Singapore -- they
apparently agree with Kodak Singapore's way of handling this
matter). It seems the customer has nothing to say, but must
simply accept whatever Kodak has to offer.

It is a real shame that Kodak, as a world-class multinational
company, offers this kind of service.

As of now (more than three months), I still cannot use my
camera. Imagine if somebody depended on the camera to earn a
living!

DARIPIN WONGSO

Jakarta