Canon Service ???

I had to send in my Canon 5D MK III last week 2-22-2014 to the service department to get this camera looked at because of the strange behavior this camera exhibited. They received the camera on Tues. Feb. 25, @ 9:45 AM. I have heard nothing back from them for a week now and was wondering if this is the normal way Canon operates.
They didn't have a problem charging my credit card $233.00 on Thursday for "cleaning and a return shipping" fee.
I yesterday called 3-3-2014 to see if possibly I could get an update as to when it might done and was told that the lady in service sent an email over and I would be notified soon
Just wondering if this is the company's normal operating procedure to get your camera and leave you in the dark or are there just so busy to be bothered ?

Did you send in a service request via the canon website? It usually has a status feature, on there they also have a live chat feature if you want to force the issue. I did notice they were slow to update the system, UPS tracking had it in canon's hands 2 days before they logged it into the system.

Yes, I did go through the Canon service on line. I thought that was the only way to according to the website.

BugNut wrote in post #16734520
Yes, I did go through the Canon service on line. I thought that was the only way to according to the website.

You could drop it off, or I suppose you could just send it in blind. But yes, thats the preferred method. Did you do a status check?

Status check complete....I think it only gives a "canned" response as to the camera is being evaluated and you will be contacted soon.
I never asked to have the camera cleaned, but they must feel that that is very important so as to charge me $200.00 before they even try to diagnose the original trouble.

BugNut wrote in post #16736199
Status check complete....I think it only gives a "canned" response as to the camera is being evaluated and you will be contacted soon.
I never asked to have the camera cleaned, but they must feel that that is very important so as to charge me $200.00 before they even try to diagnose the original trouble.

They have diagnosed your camera and determined that the repair falls under the $200 standard repair fee. They dont itemize the repairs that are part of that catch all.

So, are you saying that the camera has been diagnosed, repaired and is currently being returned as we speak ?
The reason for this whole thread is the fact that they is no communication between the customer and the company.
All I'm asking is that a little communication goes a long way. If they are going to have my camera for a couple of weeks, a month then just let me know and I can make other arrangements as to rent another camera for a couple of weeks to get the job done. That's all I;m saying...............

BugNut wrote in post #16736251
So, are you saying that the camera has been diagnosed, repaired and is currently being returned as we speak ?
The reason for this whole thread is the fact that they is no communication between the customer and the company.
All I'm asking is that a little communication goes a long way. If they are going to have my camera for a couple of weeks, a month then just let me know and I can make other arrangements as to rent another camera for a couple of weeks to get the job done. That's all I;m saying...............

No, I am not saying that. They diagnose before they charge you the $200. When the repair is done they upgrade the status check online, then they also do that when it goes through the quality control check, and then again when its prepped for shipping, and shipped. If at any point you check and you arent happy with the progress you can click on the live chat or call the service center and try to get an answer.

OK, thank you very much for your time and consideration.

I just now (3/5/2014 @ 11:55 AM) received a call from a Canon Service Rep stating that they were unable to diagnose any problems and that if I wanted to I could send in all the lenses that I used and the all memory cards and they would be happy to see if they could find anything else wrong with the camera.
After seeing some other troubles associated with this camera and the memory cards I have decided to have the camera returned try and see if this problem is something I am doing wrong as far as the mem cards or contacts cleaning.
Thanks for all the help.

BugNut wrote in post #16736199
I never asked to have the camera cleaned, but they must feel that that is very important so as to charge me $200.00 before they even try to diagnose the original trouble.

This does not necessarily mean they took a damp cloth and wiped down the outside. It more likely means they took the steps to examine and clean the sensor and the other areas of concern (focusing screen and mirror) that are internal. I have seen just this service (the sensor cleaning) at high end camera shops for anywhere from about $40 up to about $75. Some shops won't even touch the internal components because they don't have a qualified tech on staff.

i had Poor customer service dealings with canon repair service,
not the greatest communication , was told by Rep. i had to pay first then they would email me what work was needed, They never did,
240.00 for new board.
130. lens tune up
Fedx tracking nightmare too
They did fix my 60d,

The status update is all but worthless. I dropped a camera off last year at the New Jersey site. They fixed the original problem, cla the camera and it was on my doorstep the day they changed the status to shipped. There is a huge delay in the status updates.

Similar issue here. I called and talked to em about my 1DsMkII, shipped it to them the same day. They got it the 26 of Feb and almost immediately wanted the standard repair charge paid before they could proceed. I paid that and waited. And waited, a week went by without a work...no estimate of parts needed or anything whatsoever. Today I got an email saying it shipped. That's it, not any explanation at all. It shipped, here's the tracking number. FedEx is supposed to deliver it tomorrow. Will there be an explanation included with the camera? Will it be fixed? Do I have to track Santa down so he can ask The Easter Bunny to question Elvis?

wannabegood wrote in post #16740434
Similar issue here. I called and talked to em about my 1DsMkII, shipped it to them the same day. They got it the 26 of Feb and almost immediately wanted the standard repair charge paid before they could proceed. I paid that and waited. And waited, a week went by without a work...no estimate of parts needed or anything whatsoever. Today I got an email saying it shipped. That's it, not any explanation at all. It shipped, here's the tracking number. FedEx is supposed to deliver it tomorrow. Will there be an explanation included with the camera? Will it be fixed? Do I have to track Santa down so he can ask The Easter Bunny to question Elvis?

I've had my 70-200 F2.8 IS version I repaired (took 3 trips but that is another story) and the shutter replaced on an old 40D both in the last year. Both times I didn't know what was being done to repair them but when I received them there was a paper in the box listing what they did and all the parts that were replaced.