Need advise on purchasing lens from Canada

[MM2531]

I am a newbie, recently retired, and starting to get serious about my photography. I currently have the 60D with the 50 1.8, 15-85 lenses. I am going on an African safari later this year, and have decided to add the 70-300 4-5.6 IS L lens. I read a lot of discussions here, and have settled on the 70-300 mainly because of the weight and portability. On my crop body, I am hoping that the reach will be fine.

So here is the dilemma. Looks like I missed the $200 rebate on the lens and will now have to pay $1599. I happened to notice that not only was the lens cheaper at Camera Canada, but the rebate in Canada does not expire until January 16th.

Has anyone purchased a lens from Canada? I know that Camera Canada is a reputable store, but I am wondering what additional fees I might expect besides the $29 shipping fee and any fee that the credit card might charge me. Also, I know that the warranty will be fine from Canon, but do you think there will be an issue with collecting the rebate since I am in the US and buying from Canada?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks
MM

 

[Don Haines]

I am a newbie, recently retired, and starting to get serious about my photography. I currently have the 60D with the 50 1.8, 15-85 lenses. I am going on an African safari later this year, and have decided to add the 70-300 4-5.6 IS L lens. I read a lot of discussions here, and have settled on the 70-300 mainly because of the weight and portability. On my crop body, I am hoping that the reach will be fine.

So here is the dilemma. Looks like I missed the $200 rebate on the lens and will now have to pay $1599. I happened to notice that not only was the lens cheaper at Camera Canada, but the rebate in Canada does not expire until January 16th.

Has anyone purchased a lens from Canada? I know that Camera Canada is a reputable store, but I am wondering what additional fees I might expect besides the $29 shipping fee and any fee that the credit card might charge me. Also, I know that the warranty will be fine from Canon, but do you think there will be an issue with collecting the rebate since I am in the US and buying from Canada?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks
MM

I have bought from Camera Canada before with no problems... (I live in Canada)

One think you should also consider is the exchange rate... prices are in Canadian dollars and right now $1599 Canadian is $1482 U.S.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Canon discourages dealers from shipping across the border, so you will need to check with the dealer or go to Canada to get it. Many dealers no longer ship to the USA.

 

[MM2531]

Thanks for the replies.

I am not sure if the prices showing are in Canadian $ or US. The price of the lens is showing as $1499.97, but I think this is US because when I went to checkout, the shipping of $29 had "CDN" next to it, whereas the price did not.

This dealer does not seem to have a problem shipping to the US. Now if I could only verify that the $150 rebate will be honored (I wonder if that is $150 Canadian!), and if there are customs duties, etc tacked on. I will try to call Canon tomorrow and see if I can get an answer to the rebate question, but would appreciate if anyone in the US that has bought across the border can comment on any charges tacked on. Thanks.

 

[Don Haines]

Thanks for the replies.

I am not sure if the prices showing are in Canadian $ or US. The price of the lens is showing as $1499.97, but I think this is US because when I went to checkout, the shipping of $29 had "CDN" next to it, whereas the price did not.

This dealer does not seem to have a problem shipping to the US. Now if I could only verify that the $150 rebate will be honored (I wonder if that is $150 Canadian!), and if there are customs duties, etc tacked on. I will try to call Canon tomorrow and see if I can get an answer to the rebate question, but would appreciate if anyone in the US that has bought across the border can comment on any charges tacked on. Thanks.

Prices on the website are in Canadian Dollars.

 

[Mr_Canuck]

I don't know, just guessing, that the rebate would apply only to people Canadian addresses just as the US rebates only apply to people with US addresses. The fine print on the warranty cards would say it very clearly (they link to PDFs or check Canon Canada site). The Canon warranties though "seem" to be North American wide. My experience confirms this as do many others, but Canon is ambiguous when you ask (probably for cross-border prevention reasons). You may want to get further confirmation on that too.

None of this stopped me from buying my 6D, 40stm, Voigtlander 20 and some filters from B&H in the USA!

 

[IMG_0001]

As a canadian, I know that most US rebates (mail-in, gift cards, etc) are not applicable to me and I would expect the same to be true the other way around. I think that on major resellers websites, you should be able the find a link to the information.

Enjoy your safari and your photography.

 

[IMG_0001]

As a canadian, I know that most US rebates (mail-in, gift cards, etc) are not applicable to me and I would expect the same to be true the other way around. I think that on major resellers websites, you should be able the find a link to the information.

Enjoy your safari and your photogrphy.

I just visited the site and below the price, there is a 'Canon rebate offer details' link which leads there:

http://www.cameracanada.com/promo/Canon%20EF%20Lens%20-%20Mail%20In%20Rebate%20-%20Q4%202013.pdf

If you look at the fine prints at the bottom of page 2 you can read:

' Rebates will only be mailed to Canadian addresses. Requests to send rebates to P.O. boxes will not be honoured.'

Regards.

 

[MM2531]

Thanks to everyone that responded!

Yes, I was just about to post the same thing. The fine print on the rebate indeed states that the rebate will only be mailed to Canadian addresses. Bummer. Looks like I have to wait for another sale on the lens. My trip is not until September, so hopefully another sale will come along.

The lens is $200 cheaper on the Canadian site, so worst case I can order it from there even without the rebate.