Sony products WERE made to last.....

....but not anymore.

People in events will know that I still use Sony MD (mini disc) for my performances. It's not that I am out of date and don't know how to handle an MP3 player. Only because I have loads of sources (music for my show) still in MD format and my MD player(s) have lasted at least a decade and are probably one of most reliable thing to use.

But of late am getting disappointed with other products. The Sony Cybershot, if you recall, a pressie for me barely one and a half years ago konked out on me last week after some serious photo and video taking. I sent it in together with my Sony Dvd camcorder, which was bought about 3 years ago (also a present) for repair, as my Sony camcorder's shutter would not open on it's own. Recording function was still ok unless I pry open the shutter and use an adhesive tape to stick over it to prevent it from shutting.

Yesterday, service man called to say I need to change Cybershot lens as it was rattling. Reason given...many..."may be you drop, or dirty, or wear and tear"...WEAR WHAT TEAR WHAT? IT'S HARDLY BEEN 2 YEARS. Repair man added: "To change lens very expensive, about 400 something!" Siao! (Madness), I might as well buy a new one.

Today, same service man called about my dvd camcorder (wa sony so big only got 1 service man to service both sony camera and camcorder...I wonder if I send in my Vios laptop, MP3, speakers etc is it also repaired by him).

Him : "Ms Leong ah....your shutter needs hundred over dollars to replace".
Me "What? So expensive? What is the cause of the problem"
Him : "Oh could be you drop, dirty or wear and tear"....sounds familiar.......hmm feeling suspicious.
Me "then if i don't replace how?"
Him :"oh then we just open it lor. so means cannot shut already."
Me " ok, leave it open then"

As if you think that's the end,
he says "Ms ah, you camcorder also got another plobrem"
Me : "What plobrem? Don't have other plobrem what? Only shutter cannot open"
Him : "When i try to test record, sometimes got error code"
Me : "Is it? I never have this plobrem, so what cause the problem?"
Him : "It's the head la (HIS head, I think)....But to change the head, about 400 something"
Me : "Again 400 something? Forget, just send everything back....I am changing brand"!