Canon Support (Page 3): Hi George. I had a similar experience when I had a question about my then new t3i. They were responsive and answered the question right away solving the problem...

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

gemlenz wrote:

I have used Canon equipment for the passed 10 years and never had to call Canon for a repair. Maybe I'm just lucky. So I never really had any experience with their support center.

Today I had a reason to call them. I called the number listed on their website and to my surprise a real person answered the phone, no recording or dial a number to get redirected. I told the person my problem and she said she would transfer me to the proper department. When she said that I figured I'd be on the hold for an hour. So I put my phone on speaker to do other things.

No sooner I did that and a gentleman got on the phone. We discussed my problem and he know exactly what to do for me to get a resolution. It was refreshing to have the kind of support we had years ago before everything was outsourced to 3rd world countries.

High fives to Canon USA!

Here's the background on my issue if you're interested in reading it:
I had an opportunity to purchase a 5DMiii on Ebay at a lower price than authorized dealers sell it for. Well, as you know, I'm weary of doing that because of the grey market and warranty concerns.

I read recently that Canon could verify the serial number of the body to see if it's a ligit camera. The seller gave me the number and when I asked Canon if they could verify it they said they did not have that information. They advised that it was not necessarily bad to buy Canon from a non-authorized dealer, or reseller because chances are there would not be a problem. Well, as we all know you can always get a lemon and may have to get it fixed or replaced. Without a valid warranty, Canon would not be able to help me.

You need a valid warranty AND a valid receipt showing the authorized dealers name for the body in order to be covered by Canon. So he said it's a gamble to go that way. You, as the buyer, have to decide if it's worth the risk to save a few hundred $ to buy from a reseller. I mean for all I know it could be stolen equipment. So I think I'll save a few more $ and buy from an authorized dealer.

I have used Canon equipment for the passed 10 year... (show quote)

Hi George. I had a similar experience when I had a question about my then new t3i. They were responsive and answered the question right away solving the problem I had.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Have had occasion to talk with Canon tech support a few times. My overall impression was they are the most straight forward and most knowledgeable company I have ever communicated with regardless of the product or information I was seeking.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

Geo. Canon was the first to offer a complete one year warranty. Most products that are in the Refurbished program are restocked, demo or otherwise undamaged products. It is my understanding that count is not reset. I don't believe that sensors of shutters are replaced. I first learned of Refurbished product from Canon people that were doing training. I currently own a 6D & 60D that were in the Refurbished program. Pricing made it where I was able to own this product where I would not have been possible at full pricing. Not only were they refurbished but the were price promoted. I also have several lenses that are in that same program.

I can highly recommend the Refurbished products.

J. R.

gemlenz wrote:

Does refurb mean it will have a full warranty? Do they replace the sensor and reset the shutter count? Or is it like buying a used car that has been reconditioned that still has miles on it? I can get a new one for $2,250.

jazzman1 Loc: South Of The Border

gemlenz wrote:

Does refurb mean it will have a full warranty? Do they replace the sensor and reset the shutter count? Or is it like buying a used car that has been reconditioned that still has miles on it? I can get a new one for $2,250.

All Canon Refub's have "full" 1 yrs warranty...same as new. They also give extra discounts from time to time over regular prices. I got my EF 24-105mm L f/4 IS USM for $650.00 refurb, this past January 2015.

Most refubs are returns, and store model displays, and other gear lightly handled. Every item I've bought ...........lens or camera looked and feels as new.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

jazzman1 wrote:

All Canon Refub's have "full" 1 yrs warranty...same as new. They also give extra discounts from time to time over regular prices. I got my EF 24-105mm L f/4 IS USM for $650.00 refurb, this past January 2015.

Most refubs are returns, and store model displays, and other gear lightly handled. Every item I've bought ...........lens or camera looked and feels as new.

The EF 24-105mm is a true workhorse. It was my first addition into "L" lenses and we see many others here mention using it. I wonder how popular it really is in numbers sold. Does Canon ever release such information? How many here use it?

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Apparently you can go to the Canon website and register a product by entering in any fictitious serial number and date to register a product. I just did it and got an email back thanking me for registering! I didn't go through all the screens just the first one. I entered 123412341234 as a serial number and July 15th 2015 as a purchase date. I was trying to verify an Ebay seller's serial number for a product. I found this interesting. Seems like Canon would check the number against their database before accepting the registration. I hope I don't get in trouble...:(

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

gemlenz wrote:

Apparently you can go to the Canon website and reg... (show quote)

That answers my question. So much for that idea.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I spoke to one of these companies on Ebay who sell the products as imports. In particular Deal all Year. That means 90 day labor 1 year parts on their warranty. You can purchase a factory warranty which brings the price up to what you would pay at Best Buy or B&H and get the full Canon USA coverage. You can also buy a 3 year extended warranty for $150 (Canon 5DMIII). You're still getting a genuine Canon product. It's not a fake or stolen. I spoke to them on the phone and he offered to sell me the M3 for $2,399 with USA warranty. So a $100 savings there.

So I guess I don't really see the problem buying on Ebay from a reputable seller. I haven't been burned before. If for some reason the camera I get is faulty it should fail pretty quick, and I'd still be able to get it fixed or replaced under the warranty.

MikeMcK wrote:

That answers my question. So much for that idea.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

gemlenz wrote:

As I understand it from Canon, you must have the original receipt AND warranty card to get the warranty. They said they do not accept warranty if product was resold. Have you ever tried to have it repaired by Canon?

I bought a Canon 60D from a polish chap, his mother gave it to him for a birthday present. So I believe it was a Polish model, any way a fault occurred and Canon UK wanted to charge me for the repair, as although only 9 months old with less than 100 shutter count(obtained from the battery info, as the charger was still wrapped. I wrote to the managing director, result camera repaired and returned in 3 days at no cost. Way to Go Canon

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I once had to call their support when I was having an issue with my previous camera (7D) and I too was very impressed with their support! Not all that common to get through to a real person who can actually help these days!

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

This was a used camera. Warranties are not usely done on resold merchandise. They truly went above and beyond. I would have a hard time with this.

J. R.

washy wrote:

I bought a Canon 60D from a polish chap, his mother gave it to him for a birthday present. So I believe it was a Polish model, any way a fault occurred and Canon UK wanted to charge me for the repair, as although only 9 months old with less than 100 shutter count(obtained from the battery info, as the charger was still wrapped. I wrote to the managing director, result camera repaired and returned in 3 days at no cost. Way to Go Canon

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

gemlenz wrote:

Does refurb mean it will have a full warranty? Do they replace the sensor and reset the shutter count? Or is it like buying a used car that has been reconditioned that still has miles on it? I can get a new one for $2,250.

I've bought several refurb bodies and powershots. The warranty is the same as a new camera. Full for a year. I got a 70d refurb last year and went on a short trip to Oregon where I noticed spots on the viewfinder. Pretty sure they were on the bottom of the prism (?) or the screen, not the sensor. Canon took it back, picked up the shipping, and it was back in my hands in about 7 working days. I think their procedure on refurb candidates is to go completely through the camera and do whatever it needs. Most are not used, but rather returns. Their sales people will openly answer all those types of questions. As for me, the refurb site is the first place I look for a Canon camera or lens or accessory.

jazzman1 Loc: South Of The Border

davidrb wrote:

The EF 24-105mm is a true workhorse. It was my first addition into "L" lenses and we see many others here mention using it. I wonder how popular it really is in numbers sold. Does Canon ever release such information? How many here use it?

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Can't answer your questions, but you're right about it being a very popular lens. It has a constant aperture f/4. It comes as a kit lens with most Canon FF bodies.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Gifted One wrote:

This was a used camera. Warranties are not usely done on resold merchandise. They truly went above and beyond. I would have a hard time with this.

J. R.

Correct but as the camera was only a few months old, with so little use, they repaired it for free.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Well I just about pulled the trigger on a new Mark III. I went to the B&H site and added it to my cart. They are offering mail in rebates and bundled products I can use worth about $400! Such a deal....