Canon Irvine tries to hold my 1Ds MkIII hostage...

Well, I just had a bad experience with CFS Irvine as well. I sent it in about a month ago to have them find a the culprit of a blemish (looked like a hair or something) that could be seen through the viewfinder. This was present since I took delivery of the camera. I tried to blow it out, but could not get it to go away. It did not effect the photos, so I put off fixing it. When I sent it in, they did the work and I got it back in exactly 7 days. I took it out of the box and noticed how sparkling clean it was. EXCEPT, when I stuck a lens on it, the blemish in the veiwfinder was still there! I called them imediately, the lady was really nice and told me that CFS would be sending me a return shipping lable via email and to expect it within 24 hrs. I though great! Well, 24 hrs passed, then 48, then around 72 the email finally came. I think it was an honest mistake on her part, but I called on a Friday and I sure she didn't realize that it was Friday and that it would be taken care of until Monday. The final repair I sent in on Jun 16th. I just got the camera back yesterday, the 27th. The original repair was sent in on the 6th. 21 days seemed like an eternity to me.

Anyway, my experience may not have been as bad as the OP's, but it was pretty bad to me.

Man I feel you i sent my gear in and took two weeks, for them to fix and send it back, i got it back 2 days before the long beach grand prix with my 70-200 f2.8IS only zooming to 135mm then locking up, i did the unthinkable ans broke the lock loose with a good hard quick turn but the took for ever then didn't QC properly before shipping. Sorry to hear your ordeal. But looks like you ended up shooting the even anyways. Good luck with Canon Irvine on monday.

Just an update, I got a call from Canon and they were very apologetic. They still have my voucher and rush repair sticker so they are sending it back.

Only problem is my warranty for most of my stuff is up early August and I don't think I will have time off to re-submit the equipment for a checkup.

On the plus side, the Canon representative told me to call her anytime regarding this, so now I do have a direct line with Canon so hopefully this won't happen again next time.

If you are a professional, you have a couple of options. You could belong to CPS...they offer loaner gear while yours is being repaired...and of course, you could always just rent what you need while your stuff is out for repair. Legit business expense and all that. If you aren't a professional...just send it back in and get it fixed...a few days without your gear might be an inconvenience, but it won't kill you.

Rukes wrote in post #5828882
Just an update, I got a call from Canon and they were very apologetic. They still have my voucher and rush repair sticker so they are sending it back.

Only problem is my warranty for most of my stuff is up early August and I don't think I will have time off to re-submit the equipment for a checkup.

On the plus side, the Canon representative told me to call her anytime regarding this, so now I do have a direct line with Canon so hopefully this won't happen again next time.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it's gonna get taken care of.

Well at least they apologized. Maybe if you talk with you inside person and get them to cover the gear under warranty cause of there off this time. So next time you send your gear in after warranty has passed they will still cover it. Just a thought.

Rukes wrote in post #5828882
Just an update, I got a call from Canon and they were very apologetic. They still have my voucher and rush repair sticker so they are sending it back.

Only problem is my warranty for most of my stuff is up early August and I don't think I will have time off to re-submit the equipment for a checkup.

On the plus side, the Canon representative told me to call her anytime regarding this, so now I do have a direct line with Canon so hopefully this won't happen again next time.

I think the extend the warranty for 90 days from the days of repair. So you are good. Ask them just in case.

Looks like a happy ending...

Yes, I would definetly cash in the favor and try to get a warranty extension of at least the 2 weeks they had your stuff and didn't get it checked out for you, as long as 2 weeks would help resolve the gaffe on their part. Good to hear they did apologize and everything is right on the left coast.

Dan Lorth wrote in post #5837280
i wish i could split this up and nit pick it just because i know you dont like it. marshmellow.

LOL

safehaven wrote in post #5811307
Well, I just had a bad experience with CFS Irvine as well. I sent it in about a month ago to have them find a the culprit of a blemish (looked like a hair or something) that could be seen through the viewfinder. This was present since I took delivery of the camera. I tried to blow it out, but could not get it to go away. It did not effect the photos, so I put off fixing it. When I sent it in, they did the work and I got it back in exactly 7 days. I took it out of the box and noticed how sparkling clean it was. EXCEPT, when I stuck a lens on it, the blemish in the veiwfinder was still there! I called them imediately, the lady was really nice and told me that CFS would be sending me a return shipping lable via email and to expect it within 24 hrs. I though great! Well, 24 hrs passed, then 48, then around 72 the email finally came. I think it was an honest mistake on her part, but I called on a Friday and I sure she didn't realize that it was Friday and that it would be taken care of until Monday. The final repair I sent in on Jun 16th. I just got the camera back yesterday, the 27th. The original repair was sent in on the 6th. 21 days seemed like an eternity to me.

Anyway, my experience may not have been as bad as the OP's, but it was pretty bad to me.

Sounds similar to the issue I had. Sent in my 17-55f/2.8 in early june to have a black speck removed from the inner lens. Canon turned the lens around in less than a week. Got it home, looked at the lens and the speck was still there. I sent it right back. Canon received the lens on June 20, didn't check it in to their system until June 25. I'm still waiting for the lens to be returned. I call twice a day to see the progres......

Sports Dude,
I have a question for everybody or anyone who has sent there camera/lenses in for cleaning,calibration or repair to the Irvine center. What is the official procedure to sending in the equipment? I have 2 canon lenses(one of the lenses has only 3 days left on it's 1 year canon usa warranty) and the other two items are the 40d(3 months old) and the 18-55mm IS lens about 1 month old. Can I send in all three items at once and do I need to call the service center before I mail these three items in together? I basically want the lenses to be cleaned and calibrated to the 40d body. I understand that I need a copy receipt of the three items I will be sending in-no problem I can provide these. Also, will Canon pay for the shipping to the service center and the return shipping? Thais is the first time I have or will send something to the Irvine or any other Canon service center and would like to be as informed as possible when sending in $3000 worth of equipment. Lastly, do I need to register my equipment on the Canon website(what is the canon website or is there a phone # I can call to do this) prior to sending in my equipment. Any addresses or phone numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, glenphoto

silvex wrote in post #5807735
That is VERY strange.

Maybe only in the way how the center repeats my experience with canon canada.

glenphoto wrote in post #5863015
Sports Dude,
I have a question for everybody or anyone who has sent there camera/lenses in for cleaning,calibration or repair to the Irvine center. What is the official procedure to sending in the equipment? I have 2 canon lenses(one of the lenses has only 3 days left on it's 1 year canon usa warranty) and the other two items are the 40d(3 months old) and the 18-55mm IS lens about 1 month old. Can I send in all three items at once and do I need to call the service center before I mail these three items in together? I basically want the lenses to be cleaned and calibrated to the 40d body. I understand that I need a copy receipt of the three items I will be sending in-no problem I can provide these. Also, will Canon pay for the shipping to the service center and the return shipping? Thais is the first time I have or will send something to the Irvine or any other Canon service center and would like to be as informed as possible when sending in $3000 worth of equipment. Lastly, do I need to register my equipment on the Canon website(what is the canon website or is there a phone # I can call to do this) prior to sending in my equipment. Any addresses or phone numbers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, glenphoto

Complete this form and follow the directions at the bottom.

http://consumer.usa.ca​non.com/app/pdf/dealer​/FSC.pdf

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Here's the e-mail that I received from Canon regarding the repair
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We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the recent malfunction of your Canon product. The facilities listed below have been specially trained to provide quality repair service for your product:

CANON FACTORY SERVICE CENTER
15955 ALTON PARKWAY
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-4200

If you are within driving distance, you may drop off your equipment in person. If you are not within driving distance, please follow the procedure below.

If you would like to set up your repair online, and track the progress of the repair, please use this link:

https://www.usa.canon.​com …?act=OnlineTrac​kSearchAct

Important! Canon cannot be held responsible for equipment that is damaged or lost in shipping. Therefore, we strongly advise the following:


secure your product carefully in a box with suitable packing material to ensure proper protection during shipping
select a carrier that provides tracking information for the package
insure your package for the value of the product

Please provide the following items when presenting your product for repair:


any sample photos or print outs from your product (if the issue is related to image quality)
a completed copy of the form found at:

http://consumer.usa.ca​non.com/app/pdf/dealer​/FSC.pdf

for warranty repair, the original dated proof-of-purchase (photocopies are accepted for mail-in repair)


It is not necessary for you to include any accessories unless you have been directed to do so by our Technicians, or you believe this accessory is needed to properly test your Canon product.

If your product is not eligible for warranty repair, a repair estimate will be provided to you once the product has been received and evaluated.

Should you require additional assistance, please respond to this message. A support representative will contact you via email within 24 hours.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. Thank you for choosing to use Canon products.


Canon eCare

Sports Dude,
Thanks for the info. glenphoto