It might be worth telling the story, the camera got water in it, one of those stupid water bottle caps came open (be aware of them!) and got in the camera in a bag so; I sent it off to Panasonic repair place near Gatwick somewhere, they told me it needed new electronics and a new camera barrel, it was about £350 they quoted. As I had paid £250 for the camera I turned down their offer and thought might as well look for a new one. They wanted about £20 to post the camera back to me, I thought sod that and told them I would collect it, never got round to it and forgot it, its a bit far for me with no car but I thought I might come across someone going that way; just never happened. This was about 1.5 years ago. Then I got an email from them last week asking me when I was going to collect it, I asked them to remind me what the estimate was or could they just do the electronics and how much would that be because the barrel was just sticking a bit and I thought I might get away with just the electronics. Then they came back with the £200 estimate, all repairs same as before electronics and new barrel, they said they now had a new source of parts that is why it is £150 cheaper.
All a bit weird I think, were they just trying it on?
And they are very poor at communication, I sent a reply email telling them I would accept the £200 and for them to go ahead and do the repair, this was over a week ago but no acknowledgement back, I assume they are going ahead but pretty poor all round I think, this is their official Panasonic repair site, not some back street dealer. Anyway, hopefully I will get the camera back but I I think I am going to have to chase them.