Worth Fixing??

[LAS321]

I got the estimate to fix my Canon S3 IS and it's $190.00!! It's 16 months old so it's 4 months past the manufacturer's warranty. I'm so upset because I trusted Canon products and this camera was used infrequently and shouldn't have just died on me. Is it worth fixing it? Any opinions??

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A few questions - what's wrong with it and where did you get the estimate? Have you considered sending it back to Canon? Has your shooting style changed since you've bought it?

 

[LAS321]

The camera simply wouldn't power on. I used it a few weeks earlier and it was fine. I tried to download the pictures I had taken and it initially turned on and then froze, wouldn't do anything and wouldn't turn off. It turned off and never went back on again. I tried everything. I contacted Canon directly and they said the standard repair fee is $119.00 not including parts. I took it to the locate camera shop (great reputation) and they sent it out. I was never clear on if they sent it to Canon or not. I got a post card with the estimate and need to call them.
I usually use my camera for outdoor shots when we go away. I don't take it places (like WDW) if I don't want to lug it around. So the use hasn't been that frequent and my shots consist mainly of landscapes, etc. I never use it in the rain and when I used it for sunrises at the beach I did it from my room because I didn't want it anywhere near the sand.
It's so frustrating that a brand I trusted did this. In my house we have 4 other Canons (point and shoot) and love them.

 

[YesDear]

First off, I would not beat up Canon. They are an excellent brand. Stuff happens!

All I can offer is how I approach getting stuff like this fixed. Do you really love the camera? That model has been discontinued according to DPReview site. It is a 6.2MP camera. While megapixals are not the issue they were in other days, I have many shots taken at 6.2mp. It appears while discontinued, you can still get for around $350. THe bottom line is this... If you love the camera, get it fixed. At $190.00 you can get a camera that does what your current one does and for $350 yeah better can be had.

Remember that small electronics today are not designed to be repaired. That is why if under warranty, they send you new one.

So if you love it get it fixed if not Happy shopping!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So you're already into this for $119? In that case I guess I'd probably just suck it up and fork over the addl $70 to finish the job.

I wonder if it would have been better to send it to Canon directly yourself? Someone posted a while back that they'd sent their S2 in for repair and got a brand new S5 back when it couldn't be fixed.

FWIW, my S3 lives at the bottom of my pocketbook and takes a lot of abuse that way (I actually dropped my bag on a cement floor the other night ) yet it's still going strong.

Good luck.

 

[LAS321]

I contacted Canon originally and they emailed me back stating it would be a minimum of $119...then they had a list of instructions on how to mail it to them, which carrier to send it with....lots of work...I then took it to the camera store and they sent it out for me for $20...I don't know where they sent it. I plan to contact Canon again and ask what made the camera unusable after 16 months..Canon also first offered me the following.... $150 for the Canon SD850 IS, $250 for the Canon
G9, or $275 for the Canon Digital Rebel XT Kit Silver (w/18-55 Lens)
plus $10 shipping for Second Business Day delivery. This kind of turned me off. Before you even look at my camera you're offering a refirb with a 6 month warranty???? Do I look that gulible???
Anyway, I don't know what to do at this point....I loved the camera, but I'm nervous now.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have dealt with Canon a couple times. Do not be offended that you were offered a refurb. That is their standard policy. I was even offered a refurb upgrade (not for free) on a warranty repair. If it were me, I would go with the XT for $275. That is a pretty good deal. Also, as was stated before, most consumer electronics are not fixed by the manufacturer. They usually just recycle the scraps. The refurbs they offered you were probably more like items returned by stores as overstock or regular customer returns. It is unlikely that any consumer ever owned it for more than a couple days. If one did, they probably just didn't like it and was given a full refund. Those items are practically brand new but are not legally allowed to be sold as new.

 

[wenrob]

For 190.00 I'd put up the extra cash and get a new camera. Isn't the S5 399.00? I have the S2 and really it's a great camera and it can take a lot, you don't have to be so careful. USE IT! But again personally, I wouldn't spend so much on a repair when you're halfway to a brand new camera.

 

[bob100]

you can get an S5 in some places for $269 or get a better camera than the S3 for that.

 

[jfulcer]

I'd pony up for one of the refurbs, that's a good deal.

Another reason why I like to buy the extended warranty for cameras. It's saved me in times like this.