Experience with Canon Service for Lenses?

I'm thinking about having one of my lenses serviced by Canon. It's just a little soft to one side. It's also out of warranty. I sent a few questions about the servicing process to Canon using their online form and got back the standard response telling me to pack it up and send it in, so I'd be happy to hear of some experiences from others here:

How long does it take?
I know it depends on the nature of the fix, but in general, if out of warranty, what kind of cost?
Was the fix successful the first time?

Though it's not entirely right, the performance of this lens is actually pretty good and I'm not sure it's even worth doing anything about. I also can't go without it for many weeks at a time. I'm in NJ, though, which should help.

Any insights are appreciated.

I sent my 85F1.8 to jamestown NJ for sevice and in less than a week it was returned and worked properly-no hassles although it was slightly out of warranty to me it should have been covered.
paul

I've only used their services once so far and that was to repair the IS unit in my 17-55mm 2.8 IS. I shipped from WA to CA and got my lens back within 2 weeks and everything worked fine so I'm happy with their service. Since you are in NJ, you are really close to one of the service centers so the turnaround time should be faster (depending on their volume).

I use their NJ center yearly....to clean and calibrate my equipment...all my experiences have been great. Fast turnover, always fixed issues. Being a CPS member most likely doesn't hurt!

the NJ office is outstanding.

Canon Irvine is A+. Kind of expenive but it arrived back newlike.

Shipping took 3 days to get there, then 3 days to receive payment and fix, then 3 days to receive back.

Thanks everyone. I know it's variable based on the issue, but any insights on costs?

I sent my lens into the VA center in June and they still have it. There has been awful communication, really rude and condescending supervisors and they've had my lens for going on two months.

My faulty equipment should be covered under warranty, and that's what the dispute is about, but at this point they want slightly over three hundred for the repair which close to what I originally paid for it five months ago! Its outrageous!

Its to the point where I'm nervous to buy another lens again for the fear I'll have to relive this nightmare.

My vote is with everyone else, send it to NJ which is probably what I should have done in the first place!

I would ask them to return it and send it to NJ, you will get better service

I sent 100-400mm lens and it came back like new in a week or so. $187.

I've had a body and a lens repaired under warranty and the speed of service was outstanding. I live in Va so I guess that helped on the shipping time but both were back within 10 days total time. If I remember correctly the body was back within a week's time.

no issues here with canon's service

Well it would be unfair for me to compare as I not only have CPS gold membership but live 10 minutes from the Jamesburg facility in NJ. I literally can drop off late one afternoon and pick it up the next afternoon. I took in a 70-200 2.8L that was well out of warranty to have it cleaned and calibrated and they replaced the focusing collars at no charge. The CPS membership is worth it for the free cleanings alone. Drop off a camera body and when they clean it they really clean it! Not just a sensor swipe and send it on its way. The whole thing inside and out, top to bottom. Of course you have to qualify for the CPS in the first place. and I pay a $100/yr fee but hey, If I need a lens like now and mine is broke I can drop off the broke one and they give me a loaner while mine is undergoing repair. Havent had to use that but nice to know I can.
http://www.usa.canon.c​om …andard_display/​CPS_Member
Every time I go in Im greeted professionally, they look up my CPS info, tag the item with a gold tag and Im on my way, they call me when its ready. The turnaround time for CPS gold is listed as 3 days but Ive never gone longer than two as in dropping it off in the afternoon and picking it up mid day on the second day and that was the longest. The fastest was dropping it off first thing when they opened and picking it up before they closed. (Cleaning, lubrication and calibration check of 135L) Everything I own goes in once a year unless it hasnt left its storage spot in my gear closet. cleaning fee after I use up my free ones is $80. I have nothing but good things to say about the Jamesburg facility.

Peacefield wrote in post #10630224
Thanks everyone. I know it's variable based on the issue, but any insights on costs?

Canon wont give out estimates until the have it and diagnose it then they will give you the exact price, you can preapprove an amount if you wish and they will repair it and send it back without calling first and just charge the appropriate amount. If its slightly soft on one side sounds like a slight element alignment issue and the cost should be minimal but Im no Lens repair tech either. If you live anywhere near the jamesburg facility its much faster to just drop it off. you forgo shipping charges and the whole check in check out through the shipping dept. Go to the desk and it goes into que for repair, CPS has priority.