I had an issue with my 580EX II not always firing. I wasn't sure if it was the camera or the lens, so I decided to send them both in. Both well out of warranty. I had an issue with the USB port on the 50D anyway and wanted to get the camera cleaned in general (sensor and small piece of grass or something stuck in the viewfinder.
Canon sent me a repair estimate of around $160 for the flash and $220 for the camera. I called back and said never mind the other work on the camera just fix the intermittent flash issue. They told me that either way it would be $220 because they had to diagnose if it was the camera of the flash. I thought that was a little odd and very expensive and I had to question the guy several times to make sure he understood that I only wanted the issue with the flash/camera resolved. Was told again that both would need to be looked at and I'd have to pay for both. I told him that I wouldn't pay $400 to find out I have a problem with a $450 flash. I guess I am not sure how camera repair stuff works, but that seems crazy. So I asked to talk with a supervisor and explained I just wanted the issue with the intermittent flash resolved and would pay either the $160 or the $220 depending on what item was faulty. He said he would talk to a technician and call me back.
The next day he called back and said we will only charge you for the flash AND we will fix your USB issue and clean the camera and sensor at no charge. I received the flash and the camera back. Camera looked brand new, and it said they replaced some board inside the camera. Now however my camera would not adjust white balance at all. No matter the setting all photos looked the same. I called them and they sent a return label.
I received the camera back today and they replaced the CMOS and the shutter. So for no cost and not even asking I got the USB issue fixed, the entire camera cleaned, the firmware updated, CMOS replaced and the shutter replaced.
This was sent to the guys in New Jersey.
