Has WILLARD ENGINEERING stolen my camera? Seems so.

Matt Stevens · April 7, 2014

I write this with a very heavy heart. Back in January I sent my beloved Canon 1014 XL-S to Steven Willard of Willard Engineering for a clean/lube/service with an agreed upon price of $200. The camera was shipped insured and delivered on January 30th.

Up to that time Steve was lightning fast with all his communications via email and text. But once my camera was in his hands all communication stopped. He would not answer me to verify he had the camera.

Not until I left a forceful voice-mail in mid February did he finally return my call and explain the camera was in his hands, but that he had been ill. He promised all was well and he would get to my camera in a week. Okay, I can accept that.

Two weeks pass and nothing. I start emailing. I hear nothing. I text and hear nothing. I call and eventually leave a vm explaining I fear he has stolen my camera.

The next day he calls and says his wife is ill. Okay, but I have NOTHING via text or email stating he has my camera. He agrees to send me an email stating he has the camera and also explains he will do the job next week.

I receive the email on March 12. Since then, silence. Nothing. No response to any methods of communication.

This camera is very important to me and it cost me big bucks. I cannot just eat the cost.

Has anyone had an experience with Steve Willard? I have only heard good things about the man, which is why I sent the camera to him. But it appears I may have made a terrible mistake.

Should I not have this situation settled by the end of the week I will probably have to look into filing charges of mail fraud. That's a felony. I'll also have to go to the BBB. I'd rather not do that to the man if it can be avoided, but fact is HE HAS MY CAMERA and will not fix or simply return it to me.

Matt Stevens · April 17, 2014

Just an update: Mr. Willard and I spoke today. He has been ill and unable to work on cameras due to his health. He has improved and promised to fix my camera this weekend.

I take him at his word and want everyone to know it looks like this situation will be resolved. Once the camera arrives I will update you all.

Jose luis villar · April 17, 2014

I'm glad you were able to contact people who repair our beloved cameras, today are often older people and it is normal that sometimes are ill.

Mark Dunn · April 19, 2014

There's a lesson in patience and temperance here. Having a 40-year-old camera repaired isn't the same as clicking through and waiting from the postman. If the poor man gets too much grief he may just retire and that won't help anyone get their kit fixed.

Matthew W. Phillips · April 19, 2014

There's a lesson in patience and temperance here. Having a 40-year-old camera repaired isn't the same as clicking through and waiting from the postman. If the poor man gets too much grief he may just retire and that won't help anyone get their kit fixed.

Are you implying that Matt was some how in the wrong for wondering where his camera was? Some people rely on their gear for a living.

Matt Stevens · April 19, 2014

I'm glad you were able to contact people who repair our beloved cameras, today are often older people and it is normal that sometimes are ill.

In case you hadn't put two and two together, I am bending over backwards to be diplomatic.

Bill DiPietra · May 12, 2014

Ever get the camera back?...

Matt Stevens · May 15, 2014

Not yet. Mr. Willard is working on it. We are in contact and the problem seems to be a real p*sser. It requires taking the camera completely apart to get to it. Such is life.

Matthew W. Phillips · May 15, 2014

January 30th til now? Wow, how much work have you lost on this?

Matt Stevens · May 15, 2014

I wouldn't have cared had he communicated with me. It was the weeks of no communication and ignored phone calls, texts and emails begging him for answers that pushed me over the edge.

As of right now Mr. Willard is being responsive and working hard on the camera. he has been for a few weeks now so I am grateful for that. All i want is my camera repaired so I am praying he can do it.

Viktor Gibarti · May 16, 2014

I sent my nikon R8 camera to Mr. Willard last year november… I have not got any news since…:( He wrote me only one answer, but after nothing!!!!

Andries Molenaar · May 16, 2014

I noticed the Willard website quite some ago and didn't like the style of writing and attitude to potential customers in these these texts. Clearly an omen how things work there. Illness or not.

Bill Gaunce · May 21, 2014

Have these issues been resolved? I was looking for a "reputable" place to have a s8 camera serviced. Thanks-

Matt Stevens · May 21, 2014

Not yet.

Chris Burke · May 21, 2014

Have these issues been resolved? I was looking for a "reputable" place to have a s8 camera serviced. Thanks-

Try Duall Camera in NYC

Bill Gaunce · May 21, 2014

thanks!

Bill DiPietra · May 23, 2014

I didn't know DuAll was still operating.

Bill Gaunce · May 23, 2014

They're still around, I purchased something from them a few weeks ago. Didn't know that they repaired S8 cameras though.

Chris Burke · May 24, 2014

I have and will again have my Nizo serviced there.

Matt Stevens · May 26, 2014

Mr. Willard has informed me that he will be mailing me my camera by June 1st. Fingers crossed.

Bill Gaunce · May 26, 2014

Hope you get it back in proper working order-

Matt Stevens · June 3, 2014

My camera is in the mail to me. I will report back once I have it and then again after I use it and then again after I get the film processed and scanned.

Viktor Gibarti · June 5, 2014

Good to you… Mr Willard not answer for me…..since april!!!!! So starnge!!!!

Alessandro Machi · June 17, 2014

I went to great lengths to have back up when I was doing work for other people. Why not own 3 Canon's instead of one?

Matt Stevens · June 17, 2014

I'm not exactly rich. Owning two or more top level 8mm cameras is not exactly practical for me.

My Canon arrived last week. I tested a cartridge over the weekend and it went fine. I'll test another this week then send them off for processing and scanning. Fingers crossed.