Long story, need advice on reward and repair of camcorder and thanks
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion Archive: Archive July 2005:
Long story, need advice on reward and repair of camcorder and thanks
For my husbands bday on 06/11 we went for an overnight with the kids to the beach about 3 hours from where we live. Long story short, I lost my camcorder. I figured I would never see it again, I thought that actually housekeeping at the hotel may have wandered off with it, but I put an ad in the local paper just in case.
On 07/03 I got a call from a different hotel saying that a patron had turned the camera into them saying it was found on the beach. One of the hotel staff remembered seeing the ad in the paper and told her boss about it who then called me. I was so excited that someone had found the camera after all this time, I totally forgot that I had offered a $50 reward. So I got an email from the manager saying to send money to the hotel and they would forward it on to the staff member. I figured well ok, I was just happy to get the camera back, but really mostly the film of my kids, the camcorder could be replaced. I emailed back saying that I would be able to send the $ on friday (today) our payday since we are a bit strapped. (another story but in one months time have racked up over $2500 in medical bills) I got another email from the accounting dept impling that the staff member who remembered the ad didnt want the reward, but that a phn call would be nice. Well I have tried 3 times to call the person who remembered the ad and I cant get ahold of her to see if she really would or wouldnt want the $. SOOO... I think I have a couple of options, what would you do?
Send a card thanking her with a check for the reward amount with only her first name (thats all I know and it is a really common name).
Send a card thanking her with cash (yikes)
Send a card thanking her, no money since she didnt actually find or return the camera, and only remembered the ad once it had been turned into the hotel.
Send a card w/ money for a different amount since she didnt actually find the camera.
Send flowers or gift certificate or something instead of $.
Keep trying to catch up with her and make my decision then. (hate this, want to wrap it up so I dont have to think about what I should do anymore  )
So I got the camera back, the film is intact in it but being out on the beach for 3 weeks in oregon hasnt done the camcorder any favors. The camera will only play for a sec or two and then it shuts off. Where would you go to have the camcorder repaired, or should I just buy another camcorder when I have the $. The screen is ok and everything, it is about 5 yrs old and isnt digital, but I dont think there is anything HUGE wrong with it.
TIA all.
I would send a card with a money order since you don't know her full name to write on a check. You don't know who found the camera so you can't thank that person or reward them. The girl at the hotel remembered your ad and made sure to tell her boss so she really did you a big service. And of course it's not her fault the camera isn't working and your reward wasn't based on the condition, just the return of the items. If you know the name of the manager, send it to 'Sue' in care of the manager's name and the hotel name.
I'm sorry but I know nothing about repairing camcorders...but good luck!
I just reread your post and see that you aren't hesitating on a reward because of the bad condition of the camera so I'm sorry I got confused!
I would wait on the staff member for at few weeks. then, just send a thank you note with your contact info so she can get in touch with you.
Say something like, As you know I offered a reward and I want to make sure it gets to the right person. Plese call me with your full name and address so I can get a check out to you.
Put the ball in her court.
Call a local TV repair shop. They may do a diagnostic for free - had a problem with my TV and they did the diagnostic for free.
Glad you got your camera back.
Ame
Try the following first:
Take the old tape out...it should not be used anymore after being exposed to the elements AND will probably permanently damage the unit if played again.
Go to Radio Shack and get some canned AIR.
Open the unit and (using the canned AIR) blow out any dust, dirt or sand.
Using a hair dryer on LOW heat, blow warm dry air into the unit for at least 15 minutes.
Go buy a new tape.
Try it out.
If you still have breakups in the picture, you may need to clean the video heads of the crud left by the dirty tape (radio shack sells what you'd need)
Good Luck
Email the manager asking for her full name. I think you should send her the money as you offered the reward and she is responsible for you getting the camera back.
Can you call your homeowners people and turn it in and get a new one since it was damaged when lost/stolen on vacation yes you have it back but maybe they will cover the cost of the repairs or the replacememnt of a new one if this one is too messed up.
I would also call the hotel and get the persons full name and send them a check with a thank you note. Write the check for half since they didn't want the $$ and tell them i nthe note you felt bad not giving them anything so thank you again. You will give them half which is more than what they wanted and you will not fel bad about giving them nothing.
|
Members
