ricoh-imaging.eu Reviews 2

I had an issue with a lens that I accidentally damaged. I knocked the lens such that the mount on the lens became loose. I carried on using the lens for several weeks making sure that both the lens and camera were supported at all times. The photos I took were fine but i decided that carrying on like that was likely to result in further damage.
Having had issues with John Pye (Ricoh-imaging's UK agents) previously I tried several local and national recommended lens repairers without any success. Several did not reply to my enquiry and of the ones I spoke to none were interested. The reason given was mainly they couldn't get spares from Ricoh. However one repairer said he would no longer take on Pentax repairs because when he ordered the parts invariable they took months to arrive or the wrong part(s) were sent or they arrived in dribs and drabs.
I then sent the lens to John Pye and this is what happened.
1. They received the lens on 3/11/22
2. After some chasing I received a quote on 30/11/22.
3. The quote did not give a breakdown, it was a take it or leave it lump sum. It also stated that they had not allowed for checking the lens and this could cost more.
4. After some correspondence with John Pye and not getting much sense from them I took the matter up with Ricoh-imaging EU. After being shunted about a bit the discussions became between me and a Japanese man who I suspect was based in Japan. I was assured that the quotation I received included everything needed to get a fully working lens and the work would take 3-4 weeks plus a bit extra because we were near Christmas.
5. Having decided I had no viable alternative I paid John Pye on the 13/12/22
6. On 16/01/23 I received a new estimate from John Pye telling me that the repair agents in Germany (news to me) needed another ~£150 as the circuit board needed replacing. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why a lens, even with a dodgy mount that was working fine when it was posted, needed a new circuit board.
7. I decided I was caught between a rock and a hard case so I paid.
I eventually received the lens back mid April 2023.
With customer service like this is it any wonder that fewer and fewer people are buying Pentax products.

Disappointing in many aspects. Firstly, their website is not up to date. When you order something it says it is in stock and then on the next page it is not. Secondly, when there were no Pentax K3-iii anywhere to be sought from other online retailers you'd think if anyone gets stock first it is this site. No. They were quick to take the payment but stock was soon available with well known online retailers before this place got them. Anyway, the order was delayed and delivery was free. To boot, they do a loyalty scheme which I thought was attractive. For the Pentax K3-iii I got 9500 points (equivalent to £95.00). What's not to like, right? I ordered a couple of spare batteries (@ £79.99 each), so with £95.00 off it seemed a good deal. £65.00 for two batteries. This was fine, until I checked out. They charged £30.00 delivery for a 3-5 day standard UPS service! Still, £95.00 for two batteries delivered. Not as great. They don't tell you the postage until you check out. For the K3-iii it was FREE. For two pokey (overpriced) batteries it is £30.00. It felt like a back-handed insult. In-one-hand and out-with-the other. In a nutshell, the loyalty points counts for nothing. I should have got 800 point for the two batteries, but this was soon reduced to 325 due to using points. So, Ricoh-Imaging guess what? Your loyalty point system sucks and I can't be loyal to you in future. There are better deals out there with online retailers who pass on the discount to you. Very disappointing. Avoid.