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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
New CPS Program
Kevin Leas, Photographer, Assistant
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 12:47 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> So....it looks like the closest option to the current CPS program is now $100 a year? No expedited repairs for the free program?
Maybe it's finally time to jump to Nikon. |
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Rob Kerr, Photographer
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Bend | OR | US | Posted: 12:54 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> I should bite my lip and not type my thoughts...but nah -- this kind of sucks.
As an accredited photojournalist working for primarily smaller markets, it has been reasonable to get the same level of support needed as much in my job as any other. Although for small markets most of the time, being here for large events is also a role...and one that is as important for these camera makers as anything. We live in a harsh environment and on smaller budgets, use the cleaning program regularly and make important equipment decisions using the loan program.
Feeling little and a bit poorer than other markets
-rob. |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 09.23.08 |
| ->> bastiches... |
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Brett Flashnick, Photographer
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Columbia | SC | United States | Posted: 1:08 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> Thanks for posting that Ken. While I am not looking forward to "The new CPS program, which will require all existing members to reapply..."
Kevin, the fee of $100 seems completely reasonable to me for an additional 10% off the repairs, and two free clean and check vouchers.
As an example I had my 300 2.8 IS in for a Clean & Check in July, because I wanted to make sure it was good to go for fall, so for Canon to "adjust center, tilt & focus, clean to factory specs." was $239.20 (not including sales tax and shipping).
So the use of just one of my annual clean and check vouchers would have saved me $139.20, and I would still have another voucher to use for another lens or body. As a business decision it sounds like a no brainer to me. If I am (and assuming you are) willing to fork over $110 a year to be a member of the NPPA, where the tangible benefits are very minor, in comparison to what Canon is offering with their new CPS program, why would $100 be such a bad thing? |
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Andrew Worrall, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | M0 | | Posted: 1:21 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> Ken, thanks for the heads up. I'll be interested to see how they qualify for the different levels. It kind of sounds like the free membership level is targeting anyone using a 'prosumer' camera? If that's the case, I wonder if they will increase any of their repair costs to off-set (potentially) more members getting 20-60 percent off of repairs...
I'm hoping to be able to "upgrade?" to the Gold membership I guess. |
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Kevin Leas, Photographer, Assistant
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 1:57 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> Brett,
I'm not forking over $110 a year to join NPPA, and don't plan on doing so any time soon.
The clean & check may make it worthwhile for you (and a number of others, I'm sure), but I for one have never sent a camera in unless it needed a repair, so that's not a savings in my book. And I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't reach the $1,000 worth of repairs it would take for the extra 10% discount to make up for the annual fee. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 2:13 PM on 09.23.08 |
->> I have often wondered how long Canon would be able to justify free CPS especially with the expense of maintain and shipping out loan equipment.
CPS has been of great value to me and is one of the big reasons that I stay with Canon, at least in this format. If charging an annual fee keeps the program in place, I am all for it. |
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Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 8:52 AM on 09.24.08 |
->> The Gold Level looked good to me until I read the fine print:
" i Discount applies only to items listed on the CPS Service Items list
ii Three day turnaround will be subject to certain conditions and limitations which will be announced when the new CPS program launches
iii Discount applies only to items listed on the CPS Service Items list
iv Two day turnaround will be subject to certain conditions and limitations which will be announced when the new CPS program launches"
It will be interesting to see what gear is eligible for repair discounts and what is not. |
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Aaron Suozzi, Photographer
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Fort Wayne | IN | USA | Posted: 9:34 AM on 09.24.08 |
->> I really don't have a problem with CPS creating this three tiered system. You can choose what you want or what you are able to afford. I know we are all used to Canon jumping through hoops for us, but remember we (working professionals) are a very small part of their market. Not only that, but in business it costs money to make money and lets all not forget this is business, for both Canon and us.
Look at it like your vehicle, another necessity in life. When the warranty runs out and you need repairs, you have to pay for them. Apply the same principles to you cameras and other equipment you use for work. Not only that, I don't know any auto manufactures that are willing to loan you any vehicle you want for two weeks at no charge.
Just my 2 cents ... if it is even worth that |
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Vincent Johnson, Photographer
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Chicago | IL | USA | Posted: 9:50 AM on 09.24.08 |
->> I like the fact that I have to pay for one reason only.
I can bitch at them if they don't hold up to their turn around time.
Quite frankly, CPS has been fantastic when I deal with them, a body I just sent in had a cracked in the cover of the LCD screen and it was replaced, even though that wasn't the reason the body was in the shop. However it would have been great if it only took 1 week door to door in stead of 2 ( I sent it 2 day, they sent it overnight). |
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Baron Sekiya, Photographer
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Kailua-Kona | HI | USA | Posted: 3:08 PM on 09.24.08 |
| ->> I'm guessing the service items list will be some kind of registered list of what a photographer owns or uses on a regular basis. That way one photog won't be buying a platinum membership and sending in bodies and lenses for all their buddies in SoCal to be repaired. I'm not sure how they would note that company photogs use pool lenses and thus may send in more than one 300/2.8L in a month. |
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John Blankfort, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | USA | Posted: 3:24 PM on 09.24.08 |
->> This goes down as a total bonehead move in marketing.
Lets see... We’re loosing market share to Nikon with pros, so now we’re going to be charging for what used to be free.
For people tittering on switching, this could be the final straw.
Sure pro sales are small, but Canon needs to look as us as an army of un-paid salespeople who promote the brand. Now, they’re taking the one little fringe benefit we have and making us pay for it. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 3:39 PM on 09.24.08 |
->> It probably means "pro" equipment only will get the express times.
Nikon (and I think Canon) has had this policy for a number of years.
A $1,500 70-200 f2.8, all metal construction would count where the $150 18-55 f3.5-5.6 largely plastic lens which is intended for the most basic shooters would not. |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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McCall | ID | US | Posted: 4:33 PM on 09.24.08 |
->> I'm happy about the new system... It'll save me money right off the bat - I have things cleaned and calibrated when they need it (not very often), but that tends to be at least once a year and runs at least $100.
And now it's guaranteed that it'll be a 3-day turnaround instead of 1 day to 2 weeks depending on workload? No complaints here.
I never felt quite safe with CPS being free, honestly... You get what you pay for. Even with the $100 program, I still don't feel they're charging enough for the type of service being provided. |
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Robb Williamson, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 5:29 PM on 09.24.08 |
->> Happy to pay for the system. I have always been on their good side for my repairs and quick turn around.
60% off repair costs seems fantastic.
Robb
Denver, Colorado |
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Travis Haughton, Photographer
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Crystal Lake | IL | USA | Posted: 6:51 PM on 09.24.08 |
| ->> Hopefully now they'll get a website and a registration process that doesn't involve scrounging online for a six-year-old scanned copy of the paperwork that I have to fax to a super-secret number. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 2:00 AM on 09.25.08 |
->> CPS, CA has always been good to me!!
Great group of guys.
This move has been tossed around since the beginning of the year, when they changed the program from Bi yearly to yearly.
Now I know why:D
I too hope they come up with an Online Registration too, the getting the forms and sending them back thing gets old. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:40 AM on 09.25.08 |
->> OK,
So I crunched the numbers.
You would have to do $835 in repairs in one year to pay for the Platinum membership and $330 worth of repaid to pay for the Gold membership.
With the free Silver membership, you get..... the current 20% off and access to the hotline!! Well, the Welcome kt too :D!! No Loaners, No Expedited Repairs that you were getting before.
I don't know, but last year I didn't do any Paid Repairs, so.... and I have never done more than $500 in paid repairs in one calendar year.
I guess this is going to be a toss up for some and a no brainer for others..
Where do you stand?? Is this worth it?? I should have seen this with the survey they dent last year asking if members would be willing to pay for the serviced they were giving away for free.
I have an opinion, but i'm keeping it to myself :) |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 1:14 PM on 09.25.08 |
| ->> I have a 1DSMKIII and the new 16-35 here right now on loan from CPS. That alone would certainly be worth a $100 Gold membership at the least. |
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Thomas Quinn, Photographer
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Valparaiso | IN | USA | Posted: 1:54 PM on 09.25.08 |
->> Yes Ian, but here is my thing with this. If for example, Canon has (1) 1dmark???, what ever number they are up to at any given date in the future, and a 16 - 35 that I have reserved, what is not to say that a 500.00 dollar level person could come in and swipe that away. These are non-priority loans at the 100 dollar level and priority loans at 500.00
What I am trying to say as so many others on this forums and others places have said is that now Canon MUST adhere to this.
Canon would have more than one camera but what if there is only one left. I have been told numerous times that, "Sorry we sent most of the lenses to Indy or Kentucky derby or the Final 4 or the Olympics etc." "We just don't have that many 85 1.2's."
Although now with people paying, I feel they will get more stock.
Who knows. I just don't see a level tree as being a good thing. I don't believe I would have a problem with either paid pro or non paid pro. But Silver, Gold and Platninmum. I my feeling is the gold people are going to get hurt.
Tq |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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McCall | ID | US | Posted: 2:33 PM on 09.25.08 |
->> Thomas-
They aren't going to be stupid and screw you... They know you're a Canon customer just as well as you do. They're probably going to just set aside an extra pool of gear for the platinum members, in addition to what they have for the gold members. Nowhere does it say that priority members will be able to oust other people's reservations.
The thing you have to remember about CPS is that they ARE NOT a rental agency. They advertise specifically that they do not function as such. The purpose of the whole equipment loan thing is simply to allow you to try a lens or body out if you're considering purchasing it. If you're counting on something for a job, you've gone to the wrong place.
Of course, it just might be cheaper to just get a platinum membership and use your two trial periods there than to rent a 400 from PPR, Glazer's, or Samy's for more than a few days. But any way it goes, if you're within a couple of weeks of the kentucky derby or Olympics (in the states or Canada), it's going to be a nightmare to find anything, anywhere. That's just one of those things to plan in advance for.
CPS does serve a great purpose and does so well, but it's still a business and there are economics involved. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 09.25.08 |
->> Thomas I understand your point, we will see what shakes out.
It might be like airline memberships. At silver you get a first class upgrade if there is one available, but gold, platinum and chairman each get priority. And on some airlines if they give you a first class at let's say silver and a chairman checks in, guess what? You get bumped to economy.
So I will certainly buy Gold and maybe Platinum, either way, CPS has been good so I am staying with it. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 6:56 PM on 10.06.08 |
->> I just received in the mail the formal announcement of the "New Canon Professional Services Program" and the new "Canon Professional Network" magazine "CPN".
The magazine is very nicely done. It says the magazine (quarterly) will be included in the Gold and Platinum memberships. |
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