Are there people who fix cameras in their basements for cheap?
September 18, 2011 10:30 PM Subscribe
How can I get my broken Canon digital camera and my malfunctional Flip video camera repaired?
I have two camera problems.
1. Canon PowerShot SX200 IS - the camera is wonderful, I love it, and it functions nearly perfectly except one thing. When I use it in "Auto" mode, the flash cannot be turned on. I hate flash so this hasn't been a huge deal, but sometimes it gets really frustrating when I want a low light photo. If I use it in another photo mode, the flash does fire, so I've been switching to "easy" mode to get the flash to work, and I'm trying to learn how to use the aperture etc. settings so that I don't have to always use Auto mode, but if there is a way to fix this easily, it would be nice. I tried taking it to the only local camera store in my city and they said it would cost $229 to fix - this is the same amount as buying the camera new, so I'm not doing that!
2. I was given a Flip Mino HD video camera which is new in its box, it has never been used. Unfortunately, this little Flip Mino does not turn on. I heard Flip was bought out by Cisco and no longer exists, and also because the camera was a gift, I do not have a receipt or warranty on it that I am aware of. I also brought this to the camera store but they would not repair it and said the only option for repair is through the Flip company.
Is there some camera repair store somewhere in the United States that you can send cameras by mail and they will do repairs for reasonable prices? Other options?
I have two camera problems.
1. Canon PowerShot SX200 IS - the camera is wonderful, I love it, and it functions nearly perfectly except one thing. When I use it in "Auto" mode, the flash cannot be turned on. I hate flash so this hasn't been a huge deal, but sometimes it gets really frustrating when I want a low light photo. If I use it in another photo mode, the flash does fire, so I've been switching to "easy" mode to get the flash to work, and I'm trying to learn how to use the aperture etc. settings so that I don't have to always use Auto mode, but if there is a way to fix this easily, it would be nice. I tried taking it to the only local camera store in my city and they said it would cost $229 to fix - this is the same amount as buying the camera new, so I'm not doing that!
2. I was given a Flip Mino HD video camera which is new in its box, it has never been used. Unfortunately, this little Flip Mino does not turn on. I heard Flip was bought out by Cisco and no longer exists, and also because the camera was a gift, I do not have a receipt or warranty on it that I am aware of. I also brought this to the camera store but they would not repair it and said the only option for repair is through the Flip company.
Is there some camera repair store somewhere in the United States that you can send cameras by mail and they will do repairs for reasonable prices? Other options?
Datapoint: My Canon A520 was going to cost about $200 to repair as well. I was told this was pretty standard fare for digital cameras. From everything I've heard since, it seems they were right.
I don't have any knowledge about repair-by-mail places. Sorry.
posted by Heretical at 12:00 AM on September 19, 2011
I don't have any knowledge about repair-by-mail places. Sorry.
posted by Heretical at 12:00 AM on September 19, 2011
The Flip is meant to be disposable. It's made from commodity parts, there is/was no repair center.
posted by wuwei at 1:25 AM on September 19, 2011
posted by wuwei at 1:25 AM on September 19, 2011
Best answer: Canon has a pretty good trade in program for damaged cameras. Google for "Canon Customer Loyalty" program - the direct number is 866-443-8002.
You call, tell them what you want to trade in, and they will tell you the discounted prices for a new camera (maybe refurb?). I suspect the same $229 might get you a nice replacement.
posted by NoDef at 5:14 AM on September 19, 2011
You call, tell them what you want to trade in, and they will tell you the discounted prices for a new camera (maybe refurb?). I suspect the same $229 might get you a nice replacement.
posted by NoDef at 5:14 AM on September 19, 2011
Best answer: Agree with NoDef to check with Canon. When I trashed my Canon Powershot G11 I was able to get a refurbished replacement for $159, although it was still technically under warranty which may have lowered the price.
What I did was go on the Canon site and requested a repair, then mailed in the camera. About a week later I got an email explaining my options. I called and paid for the replacement over the phone and they shipped it out. You should also have the option to get the camera back if you don't want to replace it.
I advocate sending it in to Canon because there's always the chance that they might just fix it. That happened the second time I trashed my camera. There was sand in the LCD and they just repaired it and sent it back.
posted by cabingirl at 7:39 AM on September 19, 2011
What I did was go on the Canon site and requested a repair, then mailed in the camera. About a week later I got an email explaining my options. I called and paid for the replacement over the phone and they shipped it out. You should also have the option to get the camera back if you don't want to replace it.
I advocate sending it in to Canon because there's always the chance that they might just fix it. That happened the second time I trashed my camera. There was sand in the LCD and they just repaired it and sent it back.
posted by cabingirl at 7:39 AM on September 19, 2011
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posted by rhizome at 11:26 PM on September 18, 2011