Canon Cashback on 40D questions (1 Viewer)

[Macswede]

There is currently a Canon Cashback offer on the 40D in Sweden (and perhaps elsewhere) up until 30th June.
I definitely plan to buy a 40D. This is not really the best time but I'd rather buy now for less money than wait and pay more.
Or are these Cashback offers on a Canon camera frequently recurring affairs once the offer has been made for the first time?
Also is the final date the order date, delivery date or other date?
Does this apply to all dealers whether the cashback offer is mentioned on their homepage or in their brochure or not?

I'd be grateful for any answers!

 

[pe'rigin]

Graham,


I’m starting to get really annoyed with these cash-back gimmick offers, why can’t Nikon and Canon just give the customer a sensible retail price to start off with.

I know they wish to maximise profitability for a 3 months launch period, but if we take the D3 for example, it has dropped £675 from the initial asking price.

Whether the down-turn in the world’s economy has made Canon rethink their strategy and revised the cost on the 40D, or they intend to launch new replacement products soon, I don’t know.

As anything to do with advertising, it’s always advisable to read the small print.

 

[Martin Thomas]

The offers do get repeated but I don't recall them being 'continuous'. As far as I'm aware the cut off date is the date of purchase but you should check with Canon to be sure. I've known of instances where Canon have honoured the arrangement for customers who bought outside the time frame (both before and after) but not by extended periods.

Make sure you check with your retailer that the cashback applies to the camera they are selling as some sell grey imports which can't be used in the scheme.

Pe'rigin makes a good point - Canon should just price their goods at a sensible figure and leave the shops to make them competitive!

 

[Macswede]

Thanks Pe'rigin and Martin! I feel just a little bit wiser.

 

[Malcolm Stewart]

Judging by what I've read on other forums, Cashback offers are simply a form of marketing and the payouts are made by third party companies who stand to profit by putting every last object in your way when you claim. I think the whole practice stinks and demeans all the companies involved.

 

[Martin Thomas]

My experience of the Canon offer is that it's very straight forward. Simply register, fill in the form with a copy of the receipt and post with the bar code from the box.

All correspondence and payment is through Canon Europe in Ireland with no third party involvement or jumping through hoops.

 

[Malcolm Stewart]

Perhaps I've been reading dpreview forums too much which reflect what happens in the US!

 

[timp55]

I've also had a good experience with recent Canon cashback schemes, both on UK purchased kit (WE) and also my 100-400L from Kerso. It takes a few weeks but you get an email confirmation early then the cheque turns up a few weeks later.

 

[Macswede]

Thanks Malcolm and timp55. I had a look at the homepages of a couple of interesting companies yesterday. One of them has detailed intstuction on Canon Cashback and a form to download. You fill in the form and send it to an address in Ireland along with a copy of the receipt and the bar code from the box. The money is then paid directly into your bank account. Sounds OK.

 

[tzanampeths]

My experience of the Canon offer is that it's very straight forward. Simply register, fill in the form with a copy of the receipt and post with the bar code from the box.

All correspondence and payment is through Canon Europe in Ireland with no third party involvement or jumping through hoops.

Same here. It took 4-5 weeks after registration but they deposited in my account.

Takis

 

[Paul - Herts]

The offer is buy before the 30th June 2008, so as long as you have a receipt showing that you meet that condition your claim is valid. I would have thought that if you didn't claim, for example, for 2 years, it would be reasonable for Canon to say you have missed the boat. Didn't send mine for nearly 3 weeks after purchase, but had an email about 5 days after doing so saying I should receive payment within 20 days.

The offers are run regularly during peak sales periods. This time of year, people are out and about enjoying the warmer weather so may well be looking for new cameras. Enhancing the offer tempts the consumer to buy your product not the competitor's. I can't imagine that there are huge margins on DSLR bodies, hence the offer is given direct from Canon\Nikon and not the retailer. The manufacturers want to catch you as a long-term consumer so that you will buy their lenses, flashes, etc. Much the same as inkjet printer makers want you to use their ink.

There are also cashback offers on some lenses, but not on the biggies such as the 500mm f4 - these users will be buying for other reasons than a small reward.

Tis all marketing. Can't recall if they run the offers at xmas, but they'll be back next spring for sure.

Buy the 40D - you'll love it.

 

[K-Lex]

I've had a couple of cashbacks from Canon - £150 for my 40D and £40 for my 580 EXII. Apart from taking a few months to come, the whole thing was very straightforward. Having said that, I'd much rather just pay £150 less on the camera but still, £150 is a £150 at the end of the day.

 

[Macswede]

Well thanks for all the input. I've decided to go with the offer now, partly because I can't bear the idea of being without the 40D during our trip to the mountains of Dalecarnia on the Norwegian border in July. Also the wife says it's OK.

 

[Macswede]

I ordered the camera yesterday and am waiting impatiently for its arrival. I've heard so many great things about the 40D.

 

[JRE]

I ordered the camera yesterday and am waiting impatiently for its arrival. I've heard so many great things about the 40D.

Just out of interest, what site have you ordered it from?
I ordered mine on Tuesday from www.martinscamerashop.co.uk, but as yet it hasn't arrived. Having said that, assuming it arrives, the site offers some of the best UK prices for camera gear. Do an internet search and I don't think there's a cheaper UK provider (many of the Asian and American sites which offer ridiculously cheap gear, such as Escgate and Digiscombos, are apparently scams).
Joe

 

[Roy C]

A good site to compare prices is http://www.camerapricebuster.com/index.html
According to this martins are 6th cheapest in the uk for the 40D (inc P&P) at the moment but there is not a lot in it.

 

[Macswede]

Bought it from a Swedish site, Kamera Experten http://www.kameraexperten.se/.
Your price is better but I wanted to buy Swedish in case problems arise.

 

[Martin Thomas]

I recently purchased mine from Park Cameras as not only were they verycompetitive, they had stock on the shelf, guaranteed it would comply under the Canon Cashback scheme and were extremely helpful on the phone.

 

[JimMorris]

I bought 40D from Warehouse express 2 months ago for £619, it arrived the next day.
Still waiting for the £100 cash back but did recieve an e-mail yesterday. As for the 40D coupled up with the 400mm prime lens they are brilliant, especially when it comes to flight shots. The PC software is also top notch.

 

[sidwemn]

A cautionary note:-

I bought my Canon 40D body from Wilkinson Cameras as they were offering a great deal - £599 with £100 cashback.

http://www.wilkinson.co.uk/store/home.php

When I ordered it, they said they only had one left in stock and it was a "white box". When I asked for an explanation they told me it had been split from a kit so wasn't in its original box, but it would still have a bar code so the cashback was still valid. When it arrived, the only barcode I could find was on the side of the "white box", so I cut it out and sent off for the cashback as instructed. 5 weeks later I received a letter from Canon saying that the barcode wasn't an original but would still honor the cashback if I could send the correct barcode. I rang Wilkinsons who told me they had included a cut out original barcode in the box. I assured them that this was not in the box but they would not entertain me.

Result - no cashback!:C

Still a top camera though

Cheers
Martyn