Olympus, Please Help Boost My Soldier's Morale

Give the OP a frigging break. She was (wrongly) told her camera
couldn't be fixed, and she wrote a letter in an attempt to find a way
to get it fixed or replaced. It turns out it can be fixed, and she is
very happy to find it out. No request for freebies, no whining.
Story over.

You can sit at your computer and dream up all kind of motives for a
person, but putting words in their mouth that they didn't say makes no
sense.

Reading her responses to the comments here, she sounds quite sane and
reasonable to me.

Delora, I just read all of your responses, and you have failed to
convince me (not that you need to) that you did not use your husband
and children to play on the sympathy of the company. If what you are
insinuating in your comments is true, here's how you would have
written the letter:

My name is Delora. My husband and I have an Olympus camera Model
#C-770 ultra zoom. It the past it has taken the most beautiful
pictures of our family. Unfortunately something got in between the
lenses. I have taken it to more than one camera repair shop only to
be told that is not repairable. I was told that the lens is built so
that it is not replaceable or repairable. I would have to buy a new
camera, and unfortunately we do not have the funds to buy such a nice
camera again. I wonder if there is anything Olympus could do to help
us repair the camera. Thank you for your time and consideration.

See the difference?

I wanted to take Sava's suggestion one further.

At my old job, I was in charge of taking pictures for various
activities that went into our company newsletter.

There were always far more activities than I could be at and the bank
only had one digital camera per office.

So what we started doing was buying up disposable cameras and letting
the employees take the pictures for us. Then, when they returned the
camera, we could take it to any place that developed film, but instead
of getting back prints, have them burned onto a CD Rom.

Problem solved - we still got tons of great pictures without loaning
out (and risking damage to) the expensive ($800!)Sony Mavica CD that
the Bank owned and it was far cheaper than investing in additional
digital cameras.

I like this letter a lot and would recommend it as a prime example of
the way a letter could be written without pointing blame or expecting
"freebies".

I must say, Delora, I'm impressed that you have returned and responded
to our comments so calmly. I know we can come off as being rather
harsh and mean, but you handled it all like a pro. :)

Delora..I do understand you wanting to send digital pictures to your
husband. Since I gather from the tone of your letter, you were
willing to pay to get it fixed, I can tell you that you can pick up a
basic digital camera for under $100. It may not be as good as the
Olympus but I'm sure your husband will appreciate the pictures none
the less. A quick scan of E-bay shows many cameras that you could get
for less than $100 including shipping.

There are many things our soldiers and veterans need more than a
camera. The $400 spent on one camera for one soldier could really buy
a lot more. Our local Vietnam Veteran's of America is always looking
for basic toiletries and reading material to supply to the vets at the
VA. These vets are not asking for a camera, they are asking for
shampoo and books. I think that a much more worthy cause.

Consider snail mailing some regular photographs or buying an
inexpensive 35mm camera, making a CD and then e-mailing the photos.
In the past, soldiers were very happy to get snail mail with a photo
or two, now everyone wants it right away.

I thank your husband for his service. My father was a World War Two
vet and my husband is a Vietnam Veteran.

I'm sure if you made a request through your church, you'd be surprised
how many people have cameras at home that they don't use and would be
happy to give you theirs, or at least loan it to you. That way you
can continue keeping your husbands spirits up, you feel good, the kids
feel and good and the person at your church who gets to help you feels
good. Everyone wins. Hope that works! Good luck!

Sweet letter by the way!

I just heard a commercial on the radio and it may help you with your
little problem. The commercial was about Provident Bank....open a
checking account with Direct Deposit and get a free digital camera!

Well there you go, problem solved :)

Delora claims that "Unfortunately something got in between the
lenses". What does this mean? How did it happen? Did it occur
during the normal, recommended and proper use of the camera? How old
is the camera? Was it properly registered when purchased? Was Olympus
ever contacted prior to the posting of this letter to see if they
agreed that the camera could not be repaired or did Delora simply take
the word of an independent camera shop?

Normally, no matter who owns the camera or the names and ages of their
children or the spouse's occupation, electronic items come with
specific warranty terms and conditions and if the damage is due to
negligence or any of the non-coverage situations outlined in the
warranty, the consumer is responsible for either the cost of the
repair or replacement of the item.

I ask again - - how did "something get in between the lenses"?

Delora--thanks to your husband and your family for all you do for our
country. Given the circumstance, Olympus should try to help you.
After all, it is not right that you have to buy a whole new camera
because of a little defect! You might want to consider calling your
local American Legion to see if they would be willing to write a
letter to Olympus on your behalf. No company wants to be seen as
behaving callously to a soldier, so this may get Olympus to bend.

She isnt asking for a "FREEBIE" she is asking just to help them out in
maybe getting it fixed. Military pay is not that great. In fact I'd go
as far as to say it's hardly suitable. Even more so when you have 3
kids, She states " I have taken it to more than one camera repair
shop " therefore she was tring to get it fixed with out asking the
company. Correct me if im wrong Delora but were you asking for a
"FREEBIE" or just a little consideration?? And Just for all of you who
are getting your panties in a bundle over this, the least you could do
is thank her husband and his family for the sacrifice they are giving
for you to be able to sit there in front of your computer and complain
about her letter. Even if you dont agree with what she is saying.

Plucking the heartstrings - good strategy, might work.

I'm a big fan of eBay. I got a refurb (works perfectly and came with
a 30 day return warranty) of our $400 camera for $70 (after shipping
and insurance).
That said, yes, you asked politely and Olympus might work with you
because you seem reasonable, but you seem to be fishing for an undue
amount of sympathy because of your husband's status. While I
appreciate everything our men and women in uniform are doing for our
country right now, their sacrifices do not entitle their family to an
endless supply of freebies.

Oh please.

As the wife of an Army SFC, let me assure all the sympathetic folks on
Planet Feedback that when a soldier is deployed, he receives combat
pay, hazardous duty pay, and separation allowance, and ALL of his
income (including regular salary) is non-taxable. Pay charts are
public information, so if anyone would like to know exactly how much a
Staff Sergeant in the Air Force makes, you can easily find out.

And lets not forget the housing allowance (unless of course she lives
on base, in which case her house and all the utilities are FREE) and
the free medical care (except dental, which costs a whopping $12 per
month for the whole family).

Delora, if you cannot afford a new camera, even with this additional
cash, then you need quit worrying about getting a free camera and
start worrying about your money management skills. How is that 17 year
old going to attend college if you can't scrape up the bucks for a
camera?

In addition, deployed soliders can arrange to have the interest rate
on their credit cards reduced to 6% for the duration of their
deployment. So if you really needed a fancy camera - head on down to
the PX and buy one with your Star card, pay 6% interest, I'm sure
you'll have it paid for before your husband gets home.

I use disposable cameras, and even an inexpensive 35mm camera, quite
frequently, and they take beautiful pictures! I agree with previous
posters, your husband will undoubtedly love any pictures from home he
receives from you :)

I guess it doesn't hurt to ask...but why pull out the military card?
As stated previously, there ARE other ways to take pictures besides
with that particular Olympus camera.

The only problem with disposable cameras is the recurrent purchasing
of them. I think the cost would add up. But to be honest I dont know
how much they cost. Ill have to check it out. I only used the military
card because it is the reason the pictures matter at this point in my
life. I see how it has offended people though.
Thanks

ahh another letter trying to get a free replacement via the soldier.
When exactly did you buy the camera? Did you get the extended
warranty??? (FYI.. the company doesn't care about the kids and such,
just the problem with the camera)

Not to be a complete witch about all this, but I'm pretty sure hubby
would love any pics you sent him. Buy a cheap disposable camera and
send him the pics.

*So many things I could say, but all of them are completely heartless
and out of line.*