My Canon camera and gear lenses were completely immersed in water. I took them into Encinitas Photo Center, intending to buy silica gel and get information about my best options for a hopeful survival of my equipment.
When I put my camera on the counter and said it had been submerged, the woman behind the counter picked it up and, without asking when or for my permission inserted a battery and powered on the camera. I was horrified and told her that everything I had ever heard about such circumstances said to remove the battery and NOT power on the equipment until it is certain to be dry. She said that there was no problem.
Unconvinced, I called Canon tech support and was told that powering on the camera was absolutely not the thing to do. I shared that information with the woman, who was standing next to the apparent owner, whom I asked for his card.
He immediately and loudly told me that he wasn't going to have me threatening him. (I didn't know asking for a card constituted a threat) I told him that if I sent the camera to Canon and they said that powering on the camera caused irreparable damage, I intended to talk with him about it.
He loudly told me to get the #$%^ out of his store or he would throw me out and said he would call the police. Shocked, I told him that he should go ahead and call the police. He came around the counter and, standing close to me, again loudly said that I should get out of his store. and never come back.
I was stunned. This turned into the closest I have come to a physical altercation in most of my adult life. I strongly encourage anyone in need of camera gear or service to go anywhere else. I have never seen such unprofessional and hostile behavior anywhere, anytime.
Here is the email response from Canon and the reason I asked for the owner's business card:
Dear XXXX:
My name is Erik, and I'm a specialist here at Canon. Your email was sent to me for assistance.
I sincerely apologize for the experience that you had at Encinitas Photo Center. We will look into this further, and will address the complaint with the dealer.
You are correct; a camera that has suffered from liquid damage should not be turned on. If the camera has not been used for several days the liquid likely has dried, and a short is unlikely.
When the camera is examined, the service center will send you an estimate for the repair or inform you that the camera is beyond economical repair. If you approve the repair, they will disassemble the camera and replace faulty parts. It would be at this point when they
may be able to determine if there was additional damage from attempting to power on the camera.
Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience that this has been for you. Please write to us again if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Erik
Contact Center Specialist
The Encinitas Photo Center owner told me to never come back. I won't - and I encourage everyone else to take the same advice.
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