I bought my Canon R5 kit with the RF 24-105 f/4 almost two years ago with a 2 year Canon CarePak Plus for the kit a little over $234. A few months ago I scratched the front of my 24-105, not bad and did not show up in the images, but was still scratched. I decided to send the lens to Canon for repair and my R5 for a 18 point Canon Maintenance normally a $140 service (fee every year under a CarePak and CPS).
I had to call Canon to arrange the service since the lens even though bought as a kit did not show up under the CarePak plus. I was told when I bought the CarePak that I would have to call if I needed service on the lens. I called on on Wednesday afternoon 3-1 and arranged the repair. Canon sent free shipping labels (UPS Ground) on Thursday (part of CarePak Plus). I sent the camera and the lens in on Friday 3-3. Both arrived at Canon Costa Mesa on Tuesday. I had an email Tuesday afternoon saying the lens repair would be $560 (after my CPS discount). I called the CPS number right after I received the email and explained I had a CarePak+ covering the lens and camera. I was sent a new $0 invoice about 30 minutes later.
Last Wednesday 3-8 I received an email stating Canon had completed the service and had shipped the camera back via free FedEx overnight. They did not say anything about the lens, I figured the lens repair would take at least a week. I just returned from work and had two boxes from Canon. I have my unboxed the lens and camera and they look great.
My fault for scotching the lens. I am normally very careful. I have several lenses well over 20 years old with no scratches. The Canon guy arranging the repair told me that was the reason the CarePak is so great. He told me several stories of other repair horror stories saved by the CarePak. In this case the CarePak saved me over $500 subtracting the price of the services from what I was going to be charged. My only big regret is not buying the four year CarePak!
I was thrilled at that fast service. I figured I was going to miss Swan day at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. No, I was able to attend and take some fun Swan pictures.
I did have something funny happen this week. I received an email yesterday 3-15 and a text this morning from Canon stating they had just sent my lens back by FedEx and included a tracking number. Only issue is Canon sent the lens back last week at the same time they returned my R5. The tracking number they sent yesterday confirmed the lens was delivered last Thursday. Not really sure why the mix up, just a funny big about the service. Still I am a very happy customer. My only regret is not buying the 4 year CarePak.
