Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Little Advice, Please?

I was hoping to try out my new camera today for Nature Notes, but it just wasn't to be. It arrived yesterday from an online camera company that looked OK to me and had the best price. But it came with no logos or return address on the box, no invoice or shipping inclusions, and - scariest of all - no warranty cards in the box. (P.S. That is, the shipping box was bare. The actual kit box and its contents look new, complete, and legit, but the warranty cards for the camera and lens are missing.)

Canon is telling me that the company may be a reseller or the camera was intended for foreign markets, in which case it has no warranty. And the accessories may not be Canon, in which case they could damage the camera.

The company insists Canon is giving me wrong information, and the camera is for US Markets, and the manufacturer warranty would be honored. My instinct here is to trust Canon, but there is a 15% restocking fee to return the thing. That's $120 plus certified shipping.

I spent hours on the phone this morning going back and forth between them. I'm taking a break at the moment to back off it and think.

What would you do?

Anyway.

After today I'll be AWOL until next week. I'm heading up to Ogdensburg, New York for a nephew's wedding. Everyone else has commitments, so it will be just my older son and I. Driving. From Indiana.

It's going to be an exhausting weekend, but I'm actually looking forward to spending the time with him. Once kids grow up, even having them stop by for a few hours is a big treat.

Funny how suddenly that seems to happen. For years your whole life revolves around them and their needs and schedules. And then, one day, it doesn't. They're off having lives of their own, and you're left trying to lure them over with promises of pot roast.

So yeah. Mother and Son Road Trip. Cool.

10 comments:

Rambling Woods said...

Oh no...what a mess. It is so hard to know what to do. I know mine was from an authorized dealer...and the restocking fee is insane...I am so sorry about that Vicki.....

Rambling Woods said...

Do they belong to the Better Business B? I only shop after I check them out with the BBB?...any chance...?

Anonymous said...

I dont know what to tell you. I think in the end I would eat the 15% I hope it works out for you Bye Bye Ed

Carver said...

Good luck with the camera. No advise but hoping it works out.

I hope you have a great weekend. I know exactly what you mean about it being a treat to see our children after they are grown and how our life used to revolve around them when they were young. That's how it is for me now (a treat to see my daughter).

Sally Wessely said...

Trust Canon. A friend sells cameras and says that when this happens, you most likely are not getting the real deal. I'm sorry it will cost you to return it, but it will probably cheaper in the long run.

You might contact someone like AARP and see if they will contact the company for you and do the investigation.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Vicki, that's wonderful about your Mother and Son road trip. Have a super time. So sorry about the problems with your camera. Sounds like you've had some good advice which I am taking note of in case it ever happens to me. Good luck!

What Karen Sees said...

Oh, how upsetting and disappointing. I think I would tend to side with Canon. I wish I had known earlier and warned you. I've known people who had the same problem. Gray market, no warranty, no service. A professional photographer friend said to me once, that when you are spending that much money on camera equipment it is worth the extra to buy locally from an authorized dealer. That way you always have a live person you can turn to if there are problems. I know there are several reputable mail order companies, but I've 'bit the bullet' an paid a higher price to insure service, and I've had to take stuff back on occasion. I hope you find a solution. On a happier note, glad you are spending some time with your family. I can totally relate to your comment about soon the kids are grown up and you have to lure them back for Sunday dinner. Usually I get a call on Sunday morning from several of my sons. Here's how the conversation goes: "Hi, Mom, what's going on?" "Oh, we just got home from church, what's going on with you" "Not much, what's for dinner??" Now if I answer, pot roast, or BBQ ribs or brisket, then the response is always, "Is it alright if we come for dinner tonight??" "Of course, we'll see you around 6:00' Humm, I wonder why we almost always have one of those 3 items on the Sunday dinner menu! HaHa

Nicole said...

Oh no,... :(
I would expect that to happen here but not in the US :(
Hope you get it solved and settled and hop you have a great weekend nonetheless (and a safe journey!)

What Karen Sees said...

P.S. I just realized I was not a 'follower'. I've just changed that!!

MyMaracas said...

I'm sorry for being so late responding to everyone. It was a rough month.

I did read all of your comments and decided to take your advice. I had the camera all packed up to return it, but The Hubby intervened - more on that in an upcoming post. Bottom line, I still have it. It seems OK, but only time will tell whether any warranty will apply. Live and learn, I suppose.