Let me tell you about Panasonic

I bought a Panasonic camera on Thanksgiving, through one of Amazon.com’s vendors. I love the camera. Except for the part where the connector cables which came SEALED in the plastic (which was in turn SEALED in the box) DON’T FIT the camera. They have a mini USB connect (which I know, because my phone has one) and the camera does not.

I called the vendor. Very helpful, but don’t have a parts department. They will request the parts but it might take up to 2 weeks. They provide me with Panasonic’s number, who should be able to replace them more quickly.

Panasonic kindly suggests that I PURCHASE the cords from Panasonic. When I explain (politely) that I don’t want to pay for cords I’ve ALREADY PAID FOR, they have to put me on hold. And then transfer me to another department. Who then transfers me back, after assuring me they can replace these cords. First department tells me that I need to fax a copy of the receipt to them. Then he says Proof of Purchase. When I ask for clarification, he sounds confused and then says “Both.” Right before he suggests that I pay for the cords because Panasonic probably won’t replace them.

“Dude. They came FROM YOU. In the box. With the camera.”

“Was it an open box when you got it?

“No.”

“Well, we don’t have a record of that vendor and are not liable for parts that may be incorrect.”

“Even though the BOX WAS SEALED and the PACKAGE WAS SEALED?”

“Yes.”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“Did you talk to the verification department?”

“I called the number you gave me, they told me you would replace the cords, and then they transferred me back to you.”

“Well, just fax us the information..”

“Did you need just the receipt or just the proof of purchase, or both? Because you said receipt and then you said Proof of Purchase.”

*awkward pause*  ”Both.”

“Right.”

“And then the replacement is subject to our verification.”

“Whatever.”

I left out the part where he kept insisting he needed part numbers from the cords (which don’t have any) and then when I explained that they didn’t have any, he got annoyed. When I eventually found some numbers, he told me they weren’t part numbers. Thanks, asshole.

Rehashing this, I’m even more annoyed. I think I’m going to call them back.