D40x cashback difficulties - Update

[Louie]

Hi,

I managed to convince my friend to buy a D40x which she is very happy with (now just need to get her onto the forum ......)

We are trying to submit the cashback Nikon has on offer at the moment but are running into two problems - the form won't upload the required image and it says the serial number has already been claimed on .

All I can find in terms of contact details for help is a phone number in Sydney. Does any one know of an email address or of anyone who has had similar problems??

Cheers,
Elena

[Alpha_7]

I'd check to make sure the D40x is new (check the shutter count etc) make sure it hasn't been reboxed.

[gstark]

Bloody counterfeit Nikons again, I suspect.

One sure way to check is to look inside the battery compartment door ... there should be, on genuine Nikons, an imprint that says "Nikon Japan". It's difficult to read, but it's definitely there on genuine Nikons.

It's sort of an engraving near the edge. The forgeries generally don't include this small detail.

[Louie]

Should be new, she watched it come out of the box at the store.

Where is the shutter count found? (looked through all the menus but can't seem to find it)

Gary, not kidding when you say the imprint is difficult to find - I can't find it on hers or mine!! Maybe we have both been duped? Or is that another feature they have left off the D40 range???

[gstark]

Elena,

Inside the battery compartment lid

[Louie]

Ah,

I have found it on mine but not hers.

This is not good, my friend is not happy at all.

[Geoff]

Ring up Nikon Australia on Monday - tell them your fears and give them the serial no. They will clear it up faster than you can say "my friend got a dodgy D40x" hopefully.

[gstark]

This is not good, my friend is not happy at all.

I can well imagine. This happened with Nikon several years ago, and caused all manner of grief.

I can also remember several years ago when there were some counterfeit BMWs floating around. Lots of unhappy campers.

[Louie]

Geoff, I think that is what it will come to - just an added hassle for her (the things we will go through to get money back)

Thanks,
Elena

[Alpha_7]

Is this a windup, or is there really fake ones out there ?

If so its the first I've heard of it.

[Louie]

We are genuinely having trouble with the serial number.

Not too sure about the counterfeit BMWs .......

[digitor]

I can also remember several years ago when there were some counterfeit BMWs floating around. Lots of unhappy campers.

I remember that - the only way to tell was that the propellor logo design was flipped - there was people all over town checking theirs after the story broke in the morning paper!

Cheers

[gstark]

Is this a windup, or is there really fake ones out there ?

If so its the first I've heard of it.

Craig,

Quite a few years ago ....

[Ivanerrol]

Starting offshore OEM factories manufacturing your own goods is a double edged sword - as many companies have found out.

Last year NEC found out that up to 20 percent of NEC CRT's in the market place are clones. They only found this out when some of these clones started to be sent back to the factory for warrantee repairs. No or many copied serial numbers.

Can't say its rough justice however, as all Japanese camera makers started with illegally cloned European designs.

If Louie's friends D40 turns out to be a clone, the retailer maybe asked some interesting questions.

[ATJ]

One sure way to check is to look inside the battery compartment door ... there should be, on genuine Nikons, an imprint that says "Nikon Japan". It's difficult to read, but it's definitely there on genuine Nikons.

Does that apply to the D70, too? I can't see any imprint at all on the battery compartment door.

[seeto.centric]

yeah id also like to find out if its the case with the D70 series.
maybe its just unique to the D40 series..

if you're allowed, mind posting the place where you bought it from? did you buy your's from the same place?

a counterfeit nikon or bmw? how the hell do they manage that? they'd have to flog off quite a few to make up for the cost in production..

man.. that's dodgy!
does the body serial match to the serial on the box and warranty?
hope things get sorted out soon Louie

[Louie]

Thanks!

We are fairly certain there is no problem with the authenticity of the body, the dealer is reputable and I did buy mine at the same place.

The serial number on the body, the box and the warranty all match - it just won't upload on the Nikon site as it says it has already been used. She is waiting until next week to make some phone calls and see what happens from there.

Will keep you posted!

Elena

[gstark]

One sure way to check is to look inside the battery compartment door ... there should be, on genuine Nikons, an imprint that says "Nikon Japan". It's difficult to read, but it's definitely there on genuine Nikons.

Does that apply to the D70, too? I can't see any imprint at all on the battery compartment door.

Yes.

All Nikons.

[jamesw]

ooooh this is interesting

ive heard, anecdotally, of nikon knock offs eminating from china... but i have always thought it to be strange that reports of these knock offs are not turning up on the net...

[ATJ]

One sure way to check is to look inside the battery compartment door ... there should be, on genuine Nikons, an imprint that says "Nikon Japan". It's difficult to read, but it's definitely there on genuine Nikons.

Does that apply to the D70, too? I can't see any imprint at all on the battery compartment door.

Yes.

All Nikons.

Gary,

If I hold my D70 upside down with the lens pointing away from me, I can see what might be an imprint in on the edge of the battery compartment closest to me. i.e. just above the "MADE IN THAILAND" label on the base of the camera. There's no way I can make out what it says and I can't even get my lupe in close enough. Would that be it?

[bumthology]

Theres nothing written inside my D40 ...
i even used a torch and saw all the dusts.. I bought mine from teds! theres no way its a fake!

[ATJ]

This is what I was talking about:



There does not seem to be any text there at all.

I have also done a Google search and can't find anything about counterfeit D70 or even D40 cameras. Lots of information on counterfeit batteries.

[jamesw]

found this on the economist, i am not sure if you need a subscription to read it (i have one)

http://www.economist.com/business/displ ... id=8961838

if it doesnt work without subscription, i can email the text to you... pm me...

its quite a good read

[Hudo]

My cash back experience in 2005 with a D70 was terrible. Took 2 months for a cheque. I hope it all goes well on this issue.....

Mark

[ATJ]

My cash back experience in 2005 with a D70 was terrible. Took 2 months for a cheque.

I think it took me closer to 6 months to get mine - but there was never a suggestion from Maxwell that I had a fake.

[Hudo]

Damm... 6 months. I remember a lot of E-mails and phone calls......

Mark

[ATJ]

Damm... 6 months. I remember a lot of E-mails and phone calls......

The only telephone calls I made resulted in me being sent to an answering machine, leaving a message and never hearing back. It was only by using my Nikon Club membership as a threat that I got some action.

[Louie]

Well, after mucking around a bit last weekend we got the form to upload. Didn't hear anything and all this talk about 6 month waits and special connections to get anywhere was a bit of a worry!

Anyway, she rang them today and got put through to an answering machine ..... then rang again later on and left another message ....... and miracle of miracles, a real person rang her back and said all was fine and they would post a cheque

So, the proverbial cheque should be in the mail soon ......

[Alex]

Elena,

Good to see a satisfactory outcome.

Cheers

Alex

[Patrolman Pat]

Well, after mucking around a bit last weekend we got the form to upload. ......

I've just bought a D40X and tried uploading the cashback redemption form last night. Do you get a confirmation that it has uploaded because I tried several times and am still not sure it has uploaded. I suspect it hasn't as it leeps going back to the redemption form page.

[Louie]

The first unsuccessful attempts took us back to the form page with the message of why it wouldn't upload (something about the number had already been used). When it did eventually go through it went to another page saying it had been successful.

Several phone calls to Nikon have confirmed that the application did go through but still waiting for the email .... and as for the cheque .....
I would recommend calling them if you are still having trouble, leave lots of messages and ring several times a day.

She lives in hope of the refund and is currently testing out her camera on an overseas holiday

[Patrolman Pat]

Thanks Louie. I keep getting sent back to the submit form but ne error mesasages, all the fields are filled in, the jpeg is OK. I think a phone call is in order, it would be so much easier just mailing in the redemption form.

[Louie]

If the form worked it would be fine!

Good luck, let us know what success you have


Oh, another bit I have missed - Welcome to the forum!

[Louie]

Happy news: My friend got back from holidays to find a lovely cheque waiting for her from Nikon

[Patrolman Pat]

I phoned Nikon last week and they approved the cashback, I received an email confirming that the cheque is in the post. Still waiting on the cheque but it should be here next week.