CX3 spares availablity???

[fernman]

After submitting details of faults (Menu, Fn and Playback buttons not working) on my much loved CX3 to two repairers, only one has replied, saying there are no spares available anymore for this model.

Having had the camera for only two years, I am shocked. Is this genuine or is it just the repairer's way of saying he doesn't want to take it on?

If it really is unrepairable I would be prepared to buy a CX5 to replace it, but the thought that the same situation could arise with this deters me.

 

[odklizec]

Hi fernman and welcome here. Did you try to contact Convar?
http://www.repairservice.convar.com/Sit ... language=1

Convar is an official Ricoh repair and service center for Europe. Maybe they can still help you?

Unfortunately, with 6 month release cycle and relative small market share, the CX range is unlikely to be a winner of sales charts. And this is probably why the spares supplies are so low or already non-existant? CX3 is now over 3 years old. And I'm afraid, in a digital age we are living in, it's like 10 or maybe even more years of normal human life. Sad but true.

 

[33dollars]

Wouldn't CX parts be interchangeable across the line ?

 

[odklizec]

Maybe some of them, but definitely not all of them.

 

[fernman]

Thank you all for your responses to my query. I'm surprised to find that was my first post on here because my username and email address were already registered. When or why I do not know.

Odklizec has probably hit the nail on the head with the spares situation by pointing out the frequent release of new models combined with the modest number of sales. I now recall an instance of some models of a major manufacturer's washing machines becoming unrepairable after just a couple of years because the printed circuit boards couldn't be obtained.

Anyway, after submitting my post I did some browsing online where I found that a local dealer is offering the CX6 on eBay for £149. I phoned them to ask if they would match the online price in the shop, which they did. I couldn't resist that, as it's over £200 on Amazon, so I've just come home with one and I'm about to have a little play with it. The only difficult bit is going to be explaining it to the wife.