Canon out-of-warranty repair story

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 20:41:11 GMT, "Joe Magiera"
<joemagiera@ameritech.net> wrote:

>My Canon S45 (long out of manufacturer warranty) unfortunately fell in some
>water. Scooped it out in less than a second, but it was too late.
>
>I took it to where I bought it (local Ritz camera) and they referred me to a
>digital camera repair store in my area. That store quoted me $65 plus
>parts, BUT doesn't apply if water damage. I told them water and they
>weren't happy (neither was I). They said they'd try. After about a week,
>they called and said it'd be $185 total based on what they found. After a
>couple more weeks, I called them, and apparently I had an "early version" of
>the S45, and the replacement parts are the later version and things aren't
>working out too well. After yet another week, they called and gave up.
>They had it a couple days over a month.
>
>I figured, what the heck, I'll try Canon. Went to their web site. I called
>and got the information on their exchange program. If deemed unrepairable
>by Canon, I could replace with the closest refurbished model still in
>production for about $225. Since the S50 is still listed in their catalog,
>that's all I would be allowed to do. I asked if I could pay more and go to
>the S70, but they said no. Then I put in my zip code for repair and the
>only Canon place that came up was local to me in Elk Grove Village, IL. I
>drove it there on a Wednesday afternoon. They told me it was $150 for them
>to open it up. They also said that would be the total charge for anything
>but water damage. Not sounding good. They said it's about two business
>days for the estimate (Sat and Sun don't count of course). I said so I can
>call on Friday for the estimate? They suggested I wait until Monday to be
>sure. I was out and about on the Monday so I didn't get a chance to call
>them. Sure enough, as promised though, there was a message from them on
>Monday afternoon, get this, my camera was ready for pick up, all completed!
>
>I called back to get the charge (expecting like $224.99, just below their
>exchange charge), and they said $150 if I picked it up. According to the
>service record, here's what they did to mine: replaced CF unit, optical
>unit, back light unit, LCD panel, flash unit, battery box unit, JAL PCB
>assembly, main and DC PCB assembly, and other "miscellaneous parts",
>cleaned, checked, tested all functions, rechecked and retested by another
>tech. I don't claim to know much about the workings of cameras, but I can't
>imagine there was too much more they didn't replace.
>
>I don't know the reasons for all this either. Maybe they are trying to hold
>down exchange claims. Maybe S45 parts, being recent enough, were plentiful
>and were going to be junked otherwise. Maybe the tech had nothing else to
>do. Maybe the tech was just up for a challenge. All I can say is I was
>VERY pleased, and VERY surprised. $150, and 3 business days total. So if
>you have a Canon repair, it might be worth giving them a try.
>
>Joe
>joemagiera@ameritech.net
>

Very interesting, and it's nice to hear of a happy ending! :-)

--
Bill Funk
Change "g" to "a"