VX2000 Repair - Sony Laredo

Does anyone have experience having their cameras sent to Sony Laredo for repair?
The people at Laredo tell me that they would bring the camera back up to factory specifications for a flat rate of 516.oo. They also said that in the end I would have a fully functioning VX2000 that would be like new. I also have a blown firewire port and asked if that would be fixed as part of this deal and they said, yes.

My camera has distortion problems that transfers to tape.
I had Eric's Camera Repair out of Glendale,CA fix it twice. They said they don't know what is wrong with it( first they said the guide post) but that if I replace the tape compartment completely, that the problem will be solved.
Because they didn't fix it before, they said they would pay for half of this job which would cost me about 250.00 or so.

Assuming that my distortion is caused by the tape mechanisim then it sounds like replacing this part would take care of that problem. I just don't have 500 bucks lying around right now to send this to Sony. but, if Sony would really bring it up to factory specs and repace this or that, then it might be worth it,yes?