Sony. Baloney. Way back when we bought our first Sony TV, their slogan was "Sony No Baloney". They made a great product and stood behind it.

We bought a brand new Sony Cyber-shot 12.1 on December 23, 2007. We realized very quickly that the camera was not operating properly. Some of our pictures turned out OK but most turned out purple or with black lines running through the image.

After the New Year holiday we took the defective 13,000 THB (aprox $400 USD) camera back to the Emporium Department Store in Bangkok where we bought it, showed them the problem and asked that they replace the defective camera, they had sold us. ( We learned later from Sony's own Service Job Sheet that the defective camera had originally been purchased a month before on November 22,2007). This particular camera is what is known as a Lemon, to the hapless victim.

No replacement, no refund, we were told. They even laughed at us for suggesting such a simple resolution of the problem. Instead we were directed two floors below to the Sony dealership, where we asked again very politely that they replace the Cyber-shot 12.1. "Can not do", we were told. Smiles and laughs all around at the Village Idiots asking for a replacement or a refund from mighty Sony.

Sony would instead repair the Cyber-shot 12.1 within one week, we were promised. One week later we received this text message from the consumer electronics titan "Sony job # 16001967 waiting for parts, will keep you informed".

Two days later we received another text message from Sony, dated 2008/01/17, 14:52, repair completed 0;00 Baht please visit us to bring your set back.

We Sky Trained down to Sony and retrieved the Sony Cyber-shot 12.1. It worked. No more Purple Haze and black lines running through the picture OK, back in business.

That very evening we went on a photo shoot of an interesting Bangkok neighborhood Soi Ruam Rudee. We took some good pictures and were happy with the nights work.
However our happiness turned into extreme frustration when we discovered our Sony Vaio was unable to load the pictures from the Sony Cybershot 12.1 The wizard did not recognize the Cyber-shot 12.1. We tried and tried again into the wee hours of the morning to load those pictures but no luck.
A Lemon is a Lemon even when it is a Sony Cyber-shot 12.1 Lemon.

Next morning we were back at the Sony service desk at the Emporium Shopping complex.
We explained our latest problem to the Sony associates. Three different Sony associates spent nearly an hour on 3 different Sony Vaio computers attempting to remedy the problem.
When they finally gave up I politely asked "Isn't it about time that you replaced this camera with one that works". They all laughed at such an absurd idea. I said that I thought that was what Sony would do in America. "Can Not", was the reply of the Sony associate who appeared to be the manager of the store.
When I persisted in stating that replacement of The Cyber-shot 12.1 was the proper remedy he replied rudely " You Talk To Much" That was the end of that.
New Service Job Sheet #16002005, states 'can not connect with computer turn batt and ms. check all function". Said they would send text message when Cyber-shot 12.1 ready.

I had a Fiat Spider back in the good old days when Sony was No Baloney. Beautiful car to look at and drive but unfortunately in the garage for engine repairs most of the time. We joked that the FIAT initials stood for Fix it Again Tony. That is how we feel right now about our Sony Cyber-shot 12.1
Fix It Again Sony

We will keep you posted just as Sony promised to keep us posted !

Update
Message from Sony...2008/01/22..Sony Job #16002005 waiting for parts,will keep you informed.