Question Re: Canon Service Center for Lens Maintenance/Repair

I just went onto the Canon USA Service center site to schedule routine maintenance for a couple lenses and a 7D Mark II.

I've used them before (last time was maybe a year or 2) and the process was pretty straightforward and simple. I enter the model number etc., select the $49 maintenance plan or $129 maintenance plan, pack it up and ship it off.

However, this time it's asking me to "register" my product. Provide serial number and receipts etc. Has something changed there? A couple of my lenses are 6 and 7 years old and purchased from other members so there is no receipt.

Any ideas what's going on there or am I missing something.

This is the message I'm getting: "To schedule a Maintenance service, you will need to create or sign in to your Canon account, and register your product."

This maybe is away to track stuff and improve efficiency and make a better customer experience!!???? As a Canon supporter, do you remember buying a camera and included was a CD-ROM with the DPP software? When I purchased a R5 recently, there was no disk. I had to go to Canon's website and for a download, the serial # of my camera had to be entered first and be verified before the process could start.

From what I understand, Canon is clamping down on gray market cameras. Apparently, US service centers won't even accept gray market gear. If you bought your camera used, they probably won't be a stickler for the receipt, but they will want the serial number. The Canon website says that if your gear turns out to be gray market, an invoice from a recognized retailer might mitigate things. That's why they want the receipt.

If you bought it used and it turns out to be gray market, you're kind of out of luck with Canon and would have to find and independent repair shop.

I could see Canon USA wanting to deny free warranty services on products that should be on other continents but why be a stickler on a money making service like repairs. Cash is cash. Repair the item, collect the fee, have a nice day. Who cares what color market it came from when it will provide income.

canon service has turned into a real money grab. plus the most you get is cryptic notes when you send something in. luckily i have a nearby service guy to work on my stuff. i only use canon service when i have a warranty issue

Sort of like car dealership service depts, an indy can save the wallet if they are competent. However with this level of consumer good Canon and Nikon was making it tighter for gray goods. I'd had varying encounters as far back at 15-25+ years. In that regard I bought USA warrantied and if buying used that the seller had USA authorized. That's been a good selling point on the used market so many sellers do list where they bought from. Always good to see B&H, Adorama, Best Buy, etc.

Similar for memory cards with Western Digital/Sandisk, they want receipts and serial #'s to complete RMA's. If bought through a non approved vendor, out of luck there. Related: Amazon is not always an authorized vendor unless the seller is directly present selling through their Marketplace. I've learned that with tools seeing that reviewers were unable to get warranty because Amazon (Ships-sold) is not authorized.

For service I've had friends state they if it is a repair they've not been denied, mainly warranty issues. This is Canon's page on gray goods:
https://www.usa.canon.​com …8Ab5l_MV2Dxj0w!​!/#hazards

I downloaded Digital Professional Pro software a few weeks ago and Canon wanted a serial number off a camera for that. I buy all my gear used, so I have no clue as to provenance. I think I used the S/N from my 6Dii and it went through fine. I guess I'm OK with that body.