Messages

1

Canon General / Re: Canon USA Repair Service Update

« on: November 06, 2012, 01:17:55 PM »

I can testify to their speed.  I was floored to see how fast my lens was returned.  It was so fast, that I wondered if they had really calibrated it with the body after the repair since the camera (needing no repair) wasn't returned at the same time.

Got a FEDEX call.  Being delivered tomorrow!  That is when Canon estimated the power would be back on.  Either it made it out to FEDEX before they shut down and FEDEX was struggling to get it here OR the Canon folks grabbed what could be shipped and took it offsite to a place with power to at least start it flowing again.  Either way, pleased to know it is on the way.  (I think it was the later. ;-)

2

Canon General / Re: Canon USA Repair Service Update

« on: November 02, 2012, 11:34:38 PM »

I live 10 min away from the Jamesburg center and there is no damage.  Our area of NJ got wind with little rain so its more power lines that have to be repaired to get them back up and running.  I was out of power for 68 hours which is really not bad considering what everyone else along the coast is dealing with.  Jamesburg has an excellent 2 day turnaround. Just had my 20d and 17-85 there for cal and cleanup and was surprised how fast they called me back.

Be patient.  Once they get power back, all will be good in the world.

I can testify to their speed.  I was floored to see how fast my lens was returned.  It was so fast, that I wondered if they had really calibrated it with the body after the repair since the camera (needing no repair) wasn't returned at the same time.

I find the Canon service personnel to be very pleasant on the phone. My frustration is the 'wall' that goes up between the service center itself and the customer (no way to explain the issue in detail or get clarification or comfort that the problem is well understood), the lack of insurance for the shipped equipment (UPS won't let you add insurance to the pre-paid label according to the store) and the communication via snail mail.

If you send in an item, they send a letter back asking what you want to do.  This is 2012.  Letters?  They have my email address. Mail drags the process out. My lens was returned before the letter arrived!  ;-)

The explanation in the letter of what they propose and the cost estimate is very terse.  One sentence usually. No chance to clarify what they are proposing and the likelihood it will repair the problem. Yes or No. It just feels like you are part of the 'factory'.

Contrast that with taking a car in for repair. You talk with the mechanic, they call you with the estimate, you can discuss the strategy and then you get a call when it is ready.  Just replace the calls with email and you can have something just as interactive.

3

Canon General / Re: Canon USA Repair Service Update

« on: November 02, 2012, 11:16:02 PM »

Any word as to whether the repair centre itself was damaged/flooded? That would be a huge insurance bill (and/or a lot of more repairs) if it were. Or is it just the power cuts?

I looked at the location on Google maps early on and it appears far enough inland that I doubt it was flooded. I suspect it is the power issue as the main concern.

4

Canon General / Re: Canon USA Repair Service Update

« on: November 02, 2012, 03:19:07 PM »

Oh no.... I sent in a lens to be repaired and re-calibrated with my 60D.  I got the lens back, but my 60D is stuck there. I had it repaired at the VA facility and they didn't do it right, so I opted to try my luck at NJ. Oh well...  a bag full of lenses and no body.

"No body, knows the trouble I...."  ;-)

Anyone know why Canon requires each item to be shipped separately (both directions?)  If my camera body was in with the lens I got back I would be in business?

5

Canon General / Re: Canon's Minimum Advertising Price to go into effect Nov 1

« on: November 01, 2012, 08:48:25 AM »

Canon is NOT making any more money from this move as they aren't changing their wholesale prices.  This is a move to protect small businesses and brick and mortar stores.  The internet stores can afford to cut margins on Canon gear much more than your local retailer because of their lower overhead and massive sales numbers. 

Look at it this way...how many stores in your city actually carry (in stock) a 5diii or 1dx?  The local stores will only  order one for you because the inventory costs on the big ticket items is hard to justify if the margins are cut down by internet pricing.  One advantage (only one for the consumer) of this move by Canon is that you might see more local retailers carrying high end gear. 

Unfortunately for the B&M stores, there will still be an advantage to ordering online to avoid state sales tax (in most states).

For those crying supply/demand or free market this isn't any different than the government setting price floors on milk.  The Government recognized that a free market would result in the obliteration of small farms in the US.  Canon has realized (rightfully so) that internet sales were endangering every brick and mortar store sales. 

For those who want to blame someone about this look away from Canon to the big box electronics stores. I suspect that it wasn't the small business mom and pop camera store that made this happen.  It was most likely the larger retailers (best buy, wolf etc) that were putting the pressure on Canon to change the policies.

Right.  This doesn't increase Canon's revenue directly.  In fact, I think it only hurts in the long run.  I suspect the Millennials don't buy as much stuff from B&M.  They buy from the net.  They read online reviews.  BestBuy is bleeding, as reported in the news.  Amazon, Adorama, etc. are probably grinning all the way to the bank...  this makes them MORE powerful and better able to crush the B&M stores.

All things being equal, I'll STILL buy from the internet.  The kid who knows NOTHING about cameras handing me a box is not worth the drive over there. I'll get it delivered for free and I won't have to see beautiful cameras with thumbprints on sensors because they can't keep the body caps on them and someone with no camera sense plays with them.  NEVER buy a floor model from there...  ;-)

This is standing in front of a train. Retailing can't go back to what it was. I bought a Sony NEX5N because I couldn't find a camera that offered that performance at the time for that price.  But Sony's MAP doesn't seem to be helping them much.  Look at their news.

It would be interesting to see a poll of CR readers for what percentage of their camera purchases are made at B&M.  For me, it is 0% and I have owned 8 digital cameras since 2003. Maybe I am the exception.