Nikon D300 Complete Manual page 764

resulting out-of-focus image problem. Note that if you
send an accessory like this, you need to provide the
warranty form and purchase invoice for it, too! (And don't
send third-party flash units and lenses to Nikon;
obviously, they don't warranty those.)
• Strip. Don't send the battery (unless you're having power
problems), don't send your storage card (unless you're
having trouble writing to it and it's one of Nikon's tested
ones), and don't send your neckstrap. I actually get a bit
overboard here: I take off the eyecup and color LCD
protector. On the flip side: do put the body cap on.
• Be accessible. Nikon's NPS repair request form has places
for home phone, work phone, fax, and email address.
Seems like a good idea to provide them, but I go even
further: I tape a business card to the camera. Also, PO
Boxes are no-no with Nikon: give them a street address to
ship back to.
• Follow up. In the US, that usually means phoning or
checking the Web site that Nikon will point you to once
they receive and log your item into service. Be sure you
have any number Nikon provides you, along with the
serial numbers of the items you sent.
• Authorize. If your repair is going to cost you something (as
in the case of impact damage), you're at some point going
to need authorize payment. Usually you should wait for
Nikon to ask for it. But if you want to expedite the
process, write a note that says "I hereby authorize Nikon
to make any repair of up to US$xxx and charge this to my
Mastercard/Visa ####### expiration x/xx." (Note that I
put a spot for that on my form.) You must sign this
authorization. (Nikon will also ship COD, though this is
always sent UPS Second Day delivery in the US.)
By now you're probably wondering about how you get in
touch with Nikon service. After all, the phone number is
conspicuously missing from the materials provided with the
camera. In the US, call 1-800-NIKON-SV (that's 1-800-645-
6678 if you've still got a rotary phone that doesn't have the
letters on it). Foreign readers will have to consult the Web site
Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D300
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