This issue came up on another thread which was starting to drift a bit OT.
The question came up concerning warranty support and indeed the willingness of an authorized Canon repair facility to do even non-warranty repairs to gray market equipment.
Quote: "If a camera is gray market will a canon facility repair it, I have always been told no that you would have to use a third party repair shop. I would avoid gray market for that reason alone."
Where I live there is absolutely no issue getting a gray Canon item repaired at the authorized repair facility. It's business for their workshop.
A potential irritation with gray is if a warranty claim kicks in. You may have to jump through hoops to get the job done through your gray seller. A lot of gray sellers offer the Mack Warranty. Read up: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-704362.html
What have peoples experiences been with Mack Warranties?
Maybe I've been lucky but in over 20 years shooting Canon with a LOT of new gear all heavily used and occasionally abused, I've never had to get anything repaired during the 12 month warranty period. Later on...yes.
Another issue kicks in if you are a CPS Member (where I am a Gold member). Equipment not purchased through an authorized reseller does not qualify for CPS benefits.
I highly value the very existence and quality of support from our local CPS. I also value the existence and quality of support of local professional resellers with whom I have long term relationships. This all adds up to tangible business support with a very real value.
However if my circumstances were different I would probably be tempted to occasionally buy gray.
Paul Wright
The question came up concerning warranty support and indeed the willingness of an authorized Canon repair facility to do even non-warranty repairs to gray market equipment.
Quote: "If a camera is gray market will a canon facility repair it, I have always been told no that you would have to use a third party repair shop. I would avoid gray market for that reason alone."
Where I live there is absolutely no issue getting a gray Canon item repaired at the authorized repair facility. It's business for their workshop.
A potential irritation with gray is if a warranty claim kicks in. You may have to jump through hoops to get the job done through your gray seller. A lot of gray sellers offer the Mack Warranty. Read up: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-704362.html
What have peoples experiences been with Mack Warranties?
Maybe I've been lucky but in over 20 years shooting Canon with a LOT of new gear all heavily used and occasionally abused, I've never had to get anything repaired during the 12 month warranty period. Later on...yes.
Another issue kicks in if you are a CPS Member (where I am a Gold member). Equipment not purchased through an authorized reseller does not qualify for CPS benefits.
I highly value the very existence and quality of support from our local CPS. I also value the existence and quality of support of local professional resellers with whom I have long term relationships. This all adds up to tangible business support with a very real value.
However if my circumstances were different I would probably be tempted to occasionally buy gray.
Paul Wright
