Recomendations on a good repair shop for AG-1980 in New York City

[OldMedia]

Does any one have any good recommendations a repair shop that still repairs Panasonic AG-1980 VCR's in the New York City area (and are reputable)? I would even be open to sending it out. It needs a new pinch roller, a belt, and suffers from a dim display... maybe a couple other small items.

[BrainStorm69]

I don't know about NYC, but if you are open to sending it out, you might consider these guys from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370226768423&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

They seem to know quite a bit about AG-1980s. I don't have any personal experience with them, but have been considering contacting them about my screwed up AG-1980.

[vectorthom]

Here's their website if anyone wants to know more about them generally. I see purchase and rental info, but not any repair info like on the eBay page.

http://www.soadv.com/

[OldMedia]

I will give them a shot. I will give an update when I get my deck back.

[BrainStorm69]

Let us know how it goes. Like I said, I'm thinking about contacting them about my AG-1980 problem color (lack thereof) problem.

One other thing that just occurred to me. Isn't B&H Photo & Video in NYC? Maybe you should try calling them and asking whether they know of a good repair shop locally.

[OldMedia]

B&H has there own techs that work for them in the used department, so they don't outsource consumer electronic repairs.

There are great repair shops in NYC, I use them to fix professional video gear at work from time to time. They are very good, but very expensive. I called around to consumer repair shops and lets just say I didn't get a good vibe.

I have already sent my deck out to soadv, so I will see how it goes. I have a good feeling that I won't have any issues, and they have quoted me a little over $100 including shipping. Which to me sounds very reasonable considering it was only a couple years ago at some of the places I worked... we were sending JVC TS1U's, Panasonic Omnivision's, and Sony SVO-1600 series decks out to be cleaned for regular maintenance at $70 a piece. Which is more then they are worth.

[lordsmurf]

B&H used to do MAC, and you dealt with MAC and not B&H -- that really pissed me off.

[platinum34]

OldMedia -
Have you gotten your AG-1980 back from Southern Advantage? I need to send my AG-1980 out for repair and want to find a reputable repair shop that comes with a recommendation. Please tell us how it turned out.

Thanks!

[OldMedia]

There was some damage through shipping, I will let everyone know how the deck runs when I get it back.

[OldMedia]

Sorry for the delayed response. The deck was damaged in shipping the first time around.. the picture had pixel bursts, and many switches had ceased to function. I had to send the deck back, and they repaired it at no additional charge. I kind of thought it wasn't packed very well the first time. The second time I recieved it, they definitely spent some time securing it safely in the box.

I have tested the AG-1980 with 5 different types of VHS recordings, and compared them to my other decks and it would appear that the deck is running about as well as it can. They replaced the cassette chassis (including belts and pinch roller), and the dim lights (which were the only problems initially). After the deck was damaged in shipping during its initial return to Brooklyn... it would appear that they had to replace additional parts.

I paid $145 plus $12 for shipping. The price isn't too bad considering what I would have paid at a shop that repairs professional video equipment. I think the price difference comes down to the parts, I think this company must have a stock pile of old AG-1980's lying around which may be what makes the repairs a little cheaper, and the turn around a little quicker. Thats my guess.

[BrainStorm69]

OldMedia, thanks for following up. So it sounds like they at least did not rip you off. That's good, although I don't particularly like that they didn't pack things well enough the first time. Are you satisfied enough to recommend them?

[OldMedia]

I would recomend them. You should email or call them to get an estimate before you bid on any service.

[BrainStorm69]

Thanks. I'm still kind of up in the air about whether to get my AG-1980 repaired or not. Maybe I'll try calling them.