CPS and borrowing a lens

[gregf]

<p>I hope someboday can help me, I just joined CPS as a Gold Member and would like to "play with" the TS-E 17mm, if I find it matches my style, I may break the bank for it. In any event, what is the procedure one goes through to request a lens? The CPS website says you can borrow for "a week or two", how long do you typically use a borrowed lens? Finally, do they take your credit card number as security against you damaging/losing the lens?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any responses.</p>

[tudor_apmadoc]

<p>Just send an email to [email protected] (if you live in the US), give them the details of what lens, when you need it, etc.</p>

<p>I've not done it before, so I don't know about the credit card aspect, but it would seem reasonable and logical that they would need to get one "just in case"</p>

<p> </p>

[joseph_dickerson]

<p>I've never been ask to provide a credit card number.<br>

Don't remember the actual duration of the loan but seems like the last lens I borrowed they wanted back in 10-14 days.<br>

They used to also loan equipment for longer periods for special assignments, but I haven't done that in years so I don't know if they still provide that service.<br>

CPS is definitely worth it, my EF 10-22 quit working, and they repaired it and returned it within a week. I sent it in on Friday, and I had it back the following Thursday.<br>

Hope this helps, <br>

JD</p>

[ed_avis2]

<p>Canon will still repair things if you're not a CPS member - I guess they might prioritize CPS for repairs, but you certainly don't need to join to get things fixed at a service centre and sent back fairly promptly. Isn't the big difference that if you are a CPS member they will lend you a replacement while the repair is being done?</p>

[ljwest]

<p>IIRC, the loaners only go out if Canon misses their promised return date (that may be different for "Platinum" members). And, I believe, CPS members "go to the head of the line" so to speak, for repairs. Though, to be honest, my pre-CPS work was done every bit as fast as my CPS work has been done. Maybe Jamesburg just isn't that busy...</p>

[pmind]

<blockquote>

<p>Canon will still repair things if you're not a CPS member</p>

</blockquote>

<p>True...but not at a 30% discount.</p>

[fmueller]

<blockquote>

<p>True...but not at a 30% discount.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I've never considered CPS membership, but have used Canon's repair service once and was very happy with it. I send in my 100-400L for calibration, turnaround was quick, price seem reasonable, lens performance before and after was a difference like night and day.</p>

<p>That said, I have always considered the 30% discount a bit of a joke, because AFAIK there is no list price. You send in a lens, they say we can fix it for $300, you say yay or nay. Does this already include a 30% discount? You'll never know!</p>

[robertbody]

<p>-- "CPS evaluation loan" is the act of borrowing of a lens/camera/etc to a Gold or Platinum member. Canon "loans it for 2 weeks", which doesn't include the shipping times, about 2 days each way, the return shipping is at your cost, so you get it for a little over a week.</p>

<p>-- The other is a "substitute" kind of a loan, when upon receiving your camera/lens/etc of a Gold/Platinum member, it is identified that the repair will take longer than the written down standard (about 48 hours for Platinum members, apart of shipping/etc.... 48 hours since identifying the problem). That "substitute" is a different kind of loan, identical to your item and due back once you get your item back.</p>

<p>-- The 30% and 60% discounts are real on a generic amount, about $250 for a minor and $350 for a major repair, identified before doing any work. Once work starts it 90% of the time ends with that being the final fee, but Canon can increase the estimate once more issues are discovered. If your lens has an AF or vignetting issues and you send it in, you will get that initial estimate with the discount, and that's most likely to be the final cost. CPS members get priority handling of repairs, that's real too. </p>

[stuart_harling]

<p>I got a 500mm f/4 IS ii on loan for week back February (CPS gold). They just emailed me a loan agreement which I had to sign and return. The lens was delivered and collected free of charge. Should be the same for you (apart from you have to pay shipping in the USA)</p>