Canon USA Power Shot G1 Digital Camera Repair RIP-OFF! Hanover Park Illinois

I spent a pretty penny a few years ago to purchase my Canon Power Shot G1 digital camera. The warranty has since expired. My camera has never been abused or neglected. This past April it died in the middle of using it. I put a new battery in, thinking that might be the problem, but it still wouldn't work.

I called Canon to report the problem and asked what the repair cost would be. I was told a minimum of $175. Can you imagine??? Without even determining what the problem is, they arbitrarily charge a hefty price just to look at the camera. So if it's a simple $10 fix, they still charge $175 minimum. Lord only knows how they justify it. Of course, those without a conscience don't feel they need to do so.

Canon made an insulting offer to sell me a "refurbished Power Shot G5" for the tune of over $300. Just the fact that they're selling refurbished cameras makes me believe their cameras have serious performance issues. Why are they being refurbished? It makes me wonder what the failure rate is - what percentage of them die in consumers' hands?

Needless to say, this will be my first and LAST Canon purchase. Buyers beware!!!! BEFORE making a major purchase like I did, call the company's factory repair facility and find out how much they charge for repairs. If it sounds like price-gouging, (like Canon's rates) find another manufacturer.

Good luck. And if you're a Canon consumer, you have my sympathy.

Mary
North Port, Florida
U.S.A.