Is there a shortage of Sony batteries as well?

[mischof67]

I bought my A99, struck a good deal with the retailer. Bought a bundle consisting of the body with vertical grip and two extra batteries. Sadly they didn't have any batteries in stock, so my receipt is endorsed that they owe me to genuine Sony NP FM50 batteries. Two weeks later they still haven't arrived. Are they bull+hitting me when they say they can't get stock or is this another example of poor Sony UK stock taking. Don't forget, I'm still waiting for a screen protector.  If I put an aftermarket items in the grip and something goes wrong Sony will be the first to refuse to repair! AAAAArgh!

[mischof67]

So I sent a question to Sony 'Customer Service' asking why stock levels have been allowed to get so low or actually non existent in the UK. The reply to date is laughable and worthy of a politician, i.e writing anything but answering the question. (I can copy and paste the question I sent and the replies if people doubt these words.) What a complete and utter waste of time making contact! How the hell does Sony UK expect people to buy their products and retain customer loyalty? 

[clash-city-rocker]

Plenty of fake batteries on sale however.

This is indeed laughable, as alot of camera use this battery.

[Thalamus.]

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@mischof67 wrote:

I bought my A99, struck a good deal with the retailer. Bought a bundle consisting of the body with vertical grip and two extra batteries. Sadly they didn't have any batteries in stock, so my receipt is endorsed that they owe me to genuine Sony NP FM50 batteries. Two weeks later they still haven't arrived. Are they bull+hitting me when they say they can't get stock or is this another example of poor Sony UK stock taking. Don't forget, I'm still waiting for a screen protector.  If I put an aftermarket items in the grip and something goes wrong Sony will be the first to refuse to repair! AAAAArgh!

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Hi mischof67,

Are you sure the store have ordered you NP-FM50 batteries because according to Sony store site these are shown as a previous model, which would explain why you are waiting for stock..:smileyconfused:

Also the A99 doesn't appear in the list of NP-FM50 compatible products, however the NP-FM500H, which is shown as a replacement battery for your A99, should be available to order..

Hope this helps..:smileyhappy:

[mischof67]

Typo, I missed out the extra 0. In any event, the supplier of the camera, a Sony specialist outlet for the company, (not an official Sony centre outlet), stated they could not get hold of the batteries for the A99 when I bought it. They knew which batteries were required for the camera and said they would try to get hold of two. It took them 2 weeks to scrape together two genuine Sony batteries and they came in their sealed packaging. They still have no idea when they may be able to get hold of a genuine screen protector.

I'd love to know what Sony UK are playing at. I'm sure the festive season will soon be upon us, surely they will be wanting to sell their products?

Or is this a marketing ploy? Stop production and create a shortage. The customers are then forced to buy fakes or cheap replacements posing a risk of damage to their products and the higher chance of electrical failure, forcing an upgrade which just happens to use a different battery!

[Thalamus.]

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@mischof67 wrote:

Typo, I missed out the extra 0.

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Ah ok..

So do you have the batteries now..:smileyconfused:

If not have you tried ordering the batteries direct from the Sony online store because it would suggest that they have stock available..:smileyconfused:

As to your A99's screen protector again you could try the Sony online store, the model name is PCK-LM14 &

priced at £15.99, you could give the Sony online store a call - 0207 365 2413..

A quick check there is one available on Amazon although it's at an inflated price of £24.99..

I don't know why but Sony are always seem to be late in releasing the accessories, like you I usually like to buy all the kit, spare batteries, cases, etc when buying the device..

[mischof67]

Hi, as I said in line 4, yes I have managed to get them. It took the dealer two weeks to source the two batteries, he had to ring the other stores in his group and managed to find one in two stores. No others available for him to get anywhere in their group. He told me their supplier could not get them. He is still trying to get a screen protector. Fancy, a £2000 camera body and no spares!

I registered the camera with Sony last night. At the end of a survey I was sent a voucher code for 30% off Sony accessories, (excluding lenses), to be used before the end of January 2014. It made me laugh!

On a side note, do Sony UK staff read these posts?

[Thalamus.]

Thanks for confirming you managed to get the batteries for your A99..

[mischof67]

But I've still not got a genuine Sony screen protector! I accept that I could pay nearly 100% more than list price for one from a supplier in Germany or one from the USA with horrendous postage charges.

Sony UK, hang your head in shame.

[mischof67 · Accepted solution]

I may as well close this. Sony don't seem to be interested in making any comment on their community forum about genuine accessory stock levels in the UK for their customers. I have managed to find a genuine screen protector after numerous weeks of trawling around. If someone else is in need of one for their A99, PM me and I'll give you the name of the store concerned. They had two screen protectors left after they sold one to me.