Manufacturer Warranties and Protection Plans

[Laser_PewPew]

Hello,

I purchased my Canon EOS 50D with Lens Kit last month at the

Blossom Hill CA ( Store 00190 )
5065 ALMADEN EXPY
SAN JOSE , CA 95118--2051

with black tie protection *Yeah I know Blacktie/PSP=silly me.* Came out to around $2,100 + with additional items I purchased with it.

So here is my problem, with DSLR'S and since I have more than one Lens for it they need to be cleaned regularly yes even if it has built in cleaning.

 I had noticed a couple small black specks of dust in my viewfinder oddly enough those same specks were showing up in my photo's. I took it in since I didn't want to void warranty by having a professional do it yeah I could do it myself but would void my warranty. They told me since I have blacktie protection/PSP that I would receive it back in less than 7 days. Plus he had to constantly tell me how lucky I am to have it otherwise it would take 2/3 weeks to get it back for a simple cleaning that would take a professional Camera shop about an hour. I guess people that do not have PSP are not special enough. Anyway I get it back check it out on the counter it's even worse then before. Black specs still there and now the viewfinder has scratches in it. I checked right then and there once they handed it back to me. It did not even have bubble wrap or the Body Cap on it the first time just was in 2 plastic bags one with my lens wrapped up and shoved inside the same bag as my camera body with a knot around it clanking around as they handed it back to me. So I tell them to take it back it's not fixed it's worse then before I sat with the agent pointed out the specs the new scratches in my viewfinder going into fine detail with him to make sure he put it on the paperwork properly he tells me 7 days. They decided to change the service order return date but not before waiting 4 days to ship it out to the repair center. I get it back 12 days later, 4 days after I told them I needed it back right away *confused yet?*

Since my father who had just finished with Cancer treatment,* me being the caregiver* was going to have a little father and son adventure since neither of us have been able to go anywhere except to and from Chemo and Radiation treatments so I was looking forward to using it so I can send photos to friends and family of his progress and show them that I did do a good job at taking care of him since they said I wouldn't. I open the package up I look in the viewfinder again nothing was changed and this time I have 3 nice scratches on the LCD screen seems like the more I take it in the more it gets worse. I tell them you know with all these repairs from the damage with the scratches on the viewfinder and now the LCD screen plus as an added bonus the 135MM lens gives me Chromatic Aberration and feels kind of wobbly yeah I know the Camera has Adjustments to help with Chromatic Aberration but why should I have to mess with it if it was not an issue before, I know Canon Lenses are not usually like that. Which that would only give them 2 more times to repair since they said after the 4th time they would replace the camera. They said nope sorry you sent it in for General Cleaning and this does not count towards repairs. So the damage they did to it does not count towards repairs. But to get it fixed I have to be without it what another month? So I told them it did not get fixed I will be taking my Camera back the geek squad agent just walked away. Heck if they would fix the darn thing or at least replace it however, if they replaced it which I know they won't because thanks to Geek Squad taking so long to give it back to me the 15 day return policy is up. It is bad enough wanting to rip me off by having me pay $300 for restocking. I would rather pay the difference and get the Canon 5D Mark II and just have Keeble and Shuchat service it from now on, because I would not have to wait so long to get it back plus it would not get damaged in the process.

[Laser_PewPew]

By the way

Sorry for the rant and angry post, but I just wish this issue would get resolved without having to wait for so long to be without my Camera. It's bad enough the sales rep that sold me the Camera didn't fill out the Warranty Card from Canon itself when he was supose to.

[Rrrrrrr]

Why would the salesman fill the warranty cards out? I've had to fill my cameras and lenses cards out myself and mail them in myself.

I would be ripping the store manager a new one if my camera came back in worse condition like they did to you. Any competent camera repair company would had put the body cap on the body, not in a separate bag. And they would had packed the whole thing better.

I've cleaned my sensors in mine myself and it didnt void the warranty. Usually when I send any of mine in for their annual "checkup", Nikon has them back in 1-2 weeks max. These are total cleanings and checkups. Longest I had to wait was 3 weeks when my shutter failed on my D3. Funny thing was it failed 2 days after sending my D300 in for the dead battery syndrome issue of the first batch of D300's. One thing I learned a long time ago with cameras, when something needs cleaning beyond user ability or repair, send it straight to the manufacturer and avoid 3rd party repair shops. There are some good 3rd party ones, but for every 1 good shop, theres 10 others run by nitwits.

[Laser_PewPew]

A little card that came with the box when I had purchased it said that the sales rep is supose to sign it probably for anti theft purposes. Interesting enough when I went to look at the 5D Mark II through the display case it was not there this last time I visited turns out one of the sales rep said that someone had enough time to pick the lock on the display case and stole it. I found it rather interesting since everytime I go in there I see more Best Buy Employee's then customers.

[Rrrrrrr]

Talked with a canon buddy of mine. He said there wasnt any card stating that the sales rep has to sign the warranty card in his 5dMkII box. Could be a BB thing. We both buy our gear from a local camera shop or through B&H.

[Laser_PewPew]

I wanted to buy mine from Keeble and Shuchat but at that time it was not an option for me.

[Laser_PewPew]

Interesting thing I failed to notice at the time because of being frustrated and focused on showing them the problems not once did they sign the Service order only dated it. Some people are like slinkies, sure they are not much good for anything but it brings a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

But good news looking at the service order on the geeksquad website

Apparently not only is the Canon EOS 50D a Camera but it is also a Dehumidifier, I guess that means it will keep me healthy and reduce the Earth's air from Mold.

[Rrrrrrr]

Well wishing you luck with it. I have to send off one of my D300's and a 17-35 2.8 off to Nikon for a slight boo-boo. Broke the lens mounts when someone wasnt watching where they were walking today at the parade today. Brick walls dont budge. So this will probably cost me $500. Luckily I caught the lens when it came off so only the mount needs repair.

[Elizabeth-BBY Community Supervisor]

Hi Laser_PewPew,

I've asked Allan, one of our Community Connectors, to look into this and offer his assistance.  You should hear from him within the next few business days.

Thanks for posting!

[Allan-BBY Community Connector · Accepted solution]

Hi Laser_PewPew,

This sounds like a very upsetting experience! Your camera should not have come back from the service center in worse condition than it was when we received it, and any damage to your camera caused by our service center should be taken care of by us.

The store was right that cleaning a camera does not count as a repair to your camera under the terms and conditions of your Geek Squad Black Tie Protection (GSBTP) plan, nor would Canon consider cleaning a camera as a repair.

I would like to get you a resolution in this matter so I am sending you a private message. To check your messages you should log into the forum and then click on the letter icon in the upper right-hand corner of the page,

Thanks for posting,
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate