My 1D Mark III story... Ends well, for now...

So I bought a used 1D Mark III in February 2012. It was working great until August 2012, kept getting the dreaded "ERR 99". So I sent it to Canon, even though the serial number was way above the "fix" range, they replaced the mirror box at no charge, also cleaning it and all of the typical stuff they say they do...

Fast-forward to October 2012, "ERR 99" rears it's ugly head again. I send it in, they "adjusted" the focus, cleaned, etc...

Zip to January 2013 and guess what? Yup, "ERR 99" again. So AGAIN I send it to Canon, they replaced the mirror box AGAIN, as well as the other stuff...

So I made it to April 2, 2013, bought a used 24-70 from someone local, I bring the 1D3, slap on the 24-70, and guess what?? Not only do I get an "ERR 99" but also an "ERR 20", which I've NEVER seen before...

So how fast do you think I drove home to get on the phone with Canon to let them have it? I wrote on the repair form the repair numbers for the last 3 times it was repaired, and DEMANDED a replacement. I sent it back on the 3rd, and didn't hear anything from Canon for the rest of the week. So I say I'm going to call Canon Monday morning to see what's up. At about 8am this morning I get FedEx knocking at my door. I open the box, and guess what...

THEY ACTUALLY SENT A REPLACEMENT!!

How shocked was I?? The repair form says "Camera is FSC stock being sent to customer as a replacement for his original 1D Mark III. Six month warranty will apply." And the serial number is even higher than my original, so I hope that's a good sign.

So I guess I finally get a hopefully happy ending to this story.

Nice

I know...

And this thing is SUPER clean, almost like it just came out of the box! I'll do a bunch of shooting with it tomorrow to see how it is, but I'm thinking (hoping) it will be fine.

How can you 'DEMAND' a replacement unit when you bought it secondhand, surely Canon are not responsible for the original failure? They may be responsible for the subsequent fixes but to expect them to replace the whole thing is surely not their responsibility.

ternaround wrote in post #15806152
How can you 'DEMAND' a replacement unit when you bought it secondhand, surely Canon are not responsible for the original failure? They may be responsible for the subsequent fixes but to expect them to replace the whole thing is surely not their responsibility.

It is their responsibility when the item is a lemon. The fact it is second hand does not matter. If he has the receipt it is under warranty.

Glad this worked out well for you!

Nice. I just hope I replace my 600d with a Canon 1dx. Kidding

ternaround wrote in post #15806152
How can you 'DEMAND' a replacement unit when you bought it secondhand, surely Canon are not responsible for the original failure? They may be responsible for the subsequent fixes but to expect them to replace the whole thing is surely not their responsibility.

True, but wouldn't you at least try the same if it were you? Did I expect them to replace it? No. But they did. What did I have to loose?

JuvarAbrera wrote in post #15806224
Nice. I just hope I replace my 600d with a Canon 1dx. Kidding

Yea, was kinda hoping a 1Dx was in the box.. lol... and how quick I'd hit the floor...

For the third repair they sent me a loaner 1D3, so that showed me that they still have them floating around.

That's good customer service. Nikon could take some cues from Canon considering the way they've been treating their customers over the D800 focusing problem and the D600 dust and oil splatter fiasco.

Jon_Doh wrote in post #15807342
That's good customer service. Nikon could take some cues from Canon considering the way they've been treating their customers over the D800 focusing problem and the D600 dust and oil splatter fiasco.

I do have to say that the guy at CPS that I spoke with was pretty awesome. I told him right out that I was upset that it was still not working, but I didn't yell, swear, or be mean. I was stern though, and told him I have paying jobs coming up, which I do. Being in the IT field for over 13 years you kinda learn how to be effective without being a total idiot. You get further that way.

This is so awesome. Glad to hear.

Jon_Doh wrote in post #15807342
That's good customer service. Nikon could take some cues from Canon considering the way they've been treating their customers over the D800 focusing problem and the D600 dust and oil splatter fiasco.

I have to defend Nikon, I recently sent my GF's Nikon 1 in for repair. Excellent communication, easy form to print out to get free postage, confirmation on its arrival and dispatch. Upon receiving it, tested and all fixed

When I sent my 100-400 in for a service/check it was gone 9 weeks !!!!!

The OP should buy a lottery ticket coz he's on a roll..........

Congrats on the replacement.

Glad it worked out. Sounds incredibly frustrating.

h14nha wrote in post #15808606
I have to defend Nikon, I recently sent my GF's Nikon 1 in for repair. Excellent communication, easy form to print out to get free postage, confirmation on its arrival and dispatch. Upon receiving it, tested and all fixed

Hoping for a quick turnaround on a Nikon repar. My 7-year-old dropped his S30 (shockproof & waterproof kid-focused) and the battery door cracked. Very surprising since it's shockproof, and he's not that tall.

It gives me pause when he's shooting with one of my DSLRs, but he is so freaking careful with my stuff, and I always have a strap on him.

Ken I guess CPS just paid for itself and then some!