Nikon's customer service deficiencies are well-known. I sent in my Nikkor(70-200 f/2.8 VR to replace a tripod collar locking screw and check on a focus issue and this cost over $400 which seemed a bit high to me. The lens is being mailed back from Island Camera Repair Inc. which appears to be in Farmingdale, NY. Are you aware that Nikon outsources repairs? Next time I will bypass Nikon and deal with them directly as I'm sure that detour didn’t make the repair any cheaper. (pp)
Thom’s comment: yes, NikonUSA has been outsourcing some repairs for quite some time now. Generally, it’s done with simpler, straightforward repairs.