Buying A70 in Japan

[sunnyday]

Hi pple,

I got a friend presently in Japan and he is able to get Canon A70 at a slightly lower price as compared to Singapore. What I am worried is regarding the warranty.

If the camera is bought in Japan, do I have to bring the camera back to Japan for servicing? Will it be possible to bring it to the Canon autorised servicing centre in Singapore for repairs?

This may sound stupid but will the warranty card be similar whether the camera is bought in Japan or Singapore?

If warranty card is similar, how do I fill it in? Assuming that I have a Japan's retail shop's chop, will Canon Singapore refuse to repair it?

I ain't good at expressing myself in words but I hope you guys get what I mean. Basically, I am only worried about the warranty issue.

Thanks for any replies

 

[ekardo]

well...I got my A40 a year ago in Japan..it was $100 off the cheapest price you can find in Singapore...

but A70 price in Japan now is only $50 max cheaper than in Singapore..and warranty card is totally different. The one in Singapore is by Canon Singapore..the one in Japan is by Canon Japan (it's in Japanese, fyi)

it's entirely up to you..

A40 was well known to be a good camera and durable..so I took the risk...as for A70..you have to see for yourself..

 

[sunnyday]

Hi there,

In other words, you are saying the Canon Singapore will not repair the camera if the warranty card I have is from Canon Japan? This is no good. This means there is a risk involved.

Anyway, not regarding this topic, just curious. There are many shops in SLS which have products which are sold "for export" only. Just wondering these products that tourists buy, if they break down in their homeland, the tourists will bring it to their own repair centre there right? Can't possibly ask them to bring it to Singapore right? Is there a difference between the products for export and non-export?

Originally posted by ekardo
well...I got my A40 a year ago in Japan..it was $100 off the cheapest price you can find in Singapore...

but A70 price in Japan now is only $50 max cheaper than in Singapore..and warranty card is totally different. The one in Singapore is by Canon Singapore..the one in Japan is by Canon Japan (it's in Japanese, fyi)

it's entirely up to you..

A40 was well known to be a good camera and durable..so I took the risk...as for A70..you have to see for yourself..

 

[ekardo]

Originally posted by sunnyday
Hi there,

In other words, you are saying the Canon Singapore will not repair the camera if the warranty card I have is from Canon Japan? This is no good. This means there is a risk involved.

Anyway, not regarding this topic, just curious. There are many shops in SLS which have products which are sold "for export" only. Just wondering these products that tourists buy, if they break down in their homeland, the tourists will bring it to their own repair centre there right? Can't possibly ask them to bring it to Singapore right? Is there a difference between the products for export and non-export?

well..not sure about export set..but I know export set = no warranty.

there's some company that offer "International Warranty" though..you have to ask.

 

[djork]

just wondering.. if the menu for the camera is entirely in japanese.. might not be worth the trouble..

 

[djork]

just to add: if the price difference is just about $50 to $100, might as well get a set with local warranty, so ya don't have to worry.

 

[ekardo]

Originally posted by djork
just wondering.. if the menu for the camera is entirely in japanese.. might not be worth the trouble..

can change language one.

 

[sunnyday]

The difference in price is roughly about $50 depending on the exchange rate. Guess buying it locally would be better in the case. Thanks guys for the replies

 

[Hobbes234]

Originally posted by ekardo
can change language one.

hi, ekardo

juz wondering, which part of japan did you get your stuff from?
any place in tokyo to recommend?

regards

 

[Tetrode]

Canon warranty is one year international.
So it will still be valid even if you bring it in here. Just keep the Japanese receipt for proof of purchase.

Warranty is only a problem if it is a parallel import because you won't have proof that you got it in Japan.

The same applies to Nikon products. So it's safe to buy it in Japan.

 

[sunnyday]

One person says warranty is international, one says it is only valid in Japan.

Maybe I should go email Canon Singapore for more details

Originally posted by Tetrode
Canon warranty is one year international.
So it will still be valid even if you bring it in here. Just keep the Japanese receipt for proof of purchase.

Warranty is only a problem if it is a parallel import because you won't have proof that you got it in Japan.

The same applies to Nikon products. So it's safe to buy it in Japan.

 

[ekardo]

Originally posted by sunnyday
One person says warranty is international, one says it is only valid in Japan.

Maybe I should go email Canon Singapore for more details

yes you should..I did ask once before I made my purchase in Japan. I was willing to forsake warranty for the price (since I was a poor undergrad then!)

as for where I got the camera..it's in Tokyo..near Akihabara.
anyway, I realise even though Akihabara is something like SLS in Singapore..but most of the shops are selling at retail price. Shops like YAdobashi, Sakuraya, Bic-kamera....very disappointing pricing..

luckily my friend check out for me the exact location of getting to a particular shop. Lotsa walking to get to that shop, which I think, is actually a warehouse more than a shop!

check the price and location of shop here...www.kakaku.com/camera

warning..it's all in Japanese..

a pity my next upgrade is a DSLR, but I just started working and got no money yet...my friend coming over from Japan end of this month...what a pity...

 

[Hobbes234]

thanks..
it seems that lenses are cheaper there.
e.g.
the nikon 50mm F1.4 is only at S$401 at rate of $1=66 Yen
bout $100 cheaper then in singapore.
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED is at $2978
:wink:
:devil:

 

[sunnyday]

My friend is presently studying there so finding the cheaper shops around is not a problem. Anyway I think the software will be a problem since it will be in Japanese. It will not be a problem for my friend since he is proficient in Japanese. Anyway most probably he will get his C750 (savings around $100+) in Japan and I will get my A70 in Singapore. Anyway, I just emailed Canon Singapore regarding the warranty issue, waiting for their reply although most probably I will not buy it in Japan.

Originally posted by ekardo
yes you should..I did ask once before I made my purchase in Japan. I was willing to forsake warranty for the price (since I was a poor undergrad then!)

as for where I got the camera..it's in Tokyo..near Akihabara.
anyway, I realise even though Akihabara is something like SLS in Singapore..but most of the shops are selling at retail price. Shops like YAdobashi, Sakuraya, Bic-kamera....very disappointing pricing..

luckily my friend check out for me the exact location of getting to a particular shop. Lotsa walking to get to that shop, which I think, is actually a warehouse more than a shop!

check the price and location of shop here...www.kakaku.com/camera

warning..it's all in Japanese..

a pity my next upgrade is a DSLR, but I just started working and got no money yet...my friend coming over from Japan end of this month...what a pity...

 

[ekardo]

Originally posted by sunnyday
Anyway I think the software will be a problem since it will be in Japanese.

like I mentioned in the above posting...most camera have a few languages package. English should be the basic. At least my A40 is changable.

 

[twisturn]

Hi there,

Had the same considerations when I was in Osaka 2 months back ... spoke to the Techinical Director of Canon Singapore and he said that all Canon digital equipment has no international warranty (DSLR & other compact digital cameras included) ... hence it may not be worthwhile getting from Japan ...

However I always think that stuff sold in Japan have higher quality control and hence lasts longer ...so may be worth getting after all ... and things do not usually break down before the 1 yr is up ...so it is your call ... the sets made for Japan and for the Singapore and Malaysia are different due to different temperature requirements ...

hope this helps

 

[sunnyday]

My call would most probably be buying the A70 in Singapore now.
Thanks guys

Originally posted by twisturn
Hi there,

Had the same considerations when I was in Osaka 2 months back ... spoke to the Techinical Director of Canon Singapore and he said that all Canon digital equipment has no international warranty (DSLR & other compact digital cameras included) ... hence it may not be worthwhile getting from Japan ...

However I always think that stuff sold in Japan have higher quality control and hence lasts longer ...so may be worth getting after all ... and things do not usually break down before the 1 yr is up ...so it is your call ... the sets made for Japan and for the Singapore and Malaysia are different due to different temperature requirements ...

hope this helps

 

[Tetrode]

Originally posted by twisturn
Hi there,

Had the same considerations when I was in Osaka 2 months back ... spoke to the Techinical Director of Canon Singapore and he said that all Canon digital equipment has no international or warranty (DSLR & other compact digital cameras included) ... hence it may not be worthwhile getting from Japan ...

However I always think that stuff sold in Japan have higher quality control and hence lasts longer ...so may be worth getting after all ... and things do not usually break down before the 1 yr is up ...so it is your call ... the sets made for Japan and for the Singapore and Malaysia are different due to different temperature requirements ...

hope this helps

Then Nikon has the edge over Canon in this area coz all Nikon equipment bought in Japan carry a one year international warranty.

:devil:


However, I believe the people you should consult as to whether the Canon warranty is international or not, are the staff at the Canon authorised centres in the major cities.

(it is not in the best interest for the local technical director to tell you it is because it will affect their sales here).



But if it is only going to be a saving of $50, you might as well save yourself the hassle and get it here.

 

[sunnyday]

This is the reply I got from Canon Singapore.

Dear Jeremy,

Thank you for your enquiry.

All our digital camera do not covered any international warranty but
only
local warranty in the country of purchase. Therefore, if you buy it in
Japan, the warranty covered only in Japan.

As for any repair to be carried out in Singapore, there will be charges
incur.


Regards
Dennis Leo




sunnyday
<pehweiloong@yaho To:
cam_svc@cms.canon.com.sg
o.com.sg> cc:
Subject: Warranty
07/12/2003 11:55
PM






Hi,

I got some enquiries. I understand that the warranty
card in Japan and Singapore is slightly different. If
I purchase a Canon A70 digital camera in Japan, will
the warranty be valid in Singapore? That is, should
the camera break down in Singapore, will I get free
repair from the Canon service centre in Singapore? Or
do I need to bring the camera back to Canon Japan for
repair? If I am able to get free repair locally in
Singapore, please advise me on how to fill up the
warranty card and what things (e.g. receipt from
Japan) is needed to get free repair service in
Singapore

Thank and regards,
Jeremy.

 

[Tetrode]

If that is the case, it is a pretty bad policy to adopt.:thumbsd:

So hypothetically speaking, if a Japanese National was to be posted to Singapore for work. And if he was to bring along his Canon 1Ds with him(which he purchased in Japan).

And if it were to break down within the warranty period, he would have to send it back to Japan to get it fixed under warranty OR pay Canon Singapore to get it fixed.

Canon Singapore should not penalise Canon owners for purchasing their equipment from Authorised Canon vendors that are situated overseas. They have the right not to warranty Grey Market/parallel import items but not people who have bought their products from overseas.

W.r.t to Nikon's policy on this (and pls let us not start a Nikon vs Canon war here):

The staff at the Nikon Authorised centre in Shinjuku, Tokyo informed me that the warranty for Nikon equipment(which I purchased over there), would be valid in Singapore too. I just needed to produce my proof of purchase.

And if I'm am not mistaken, I was told the same thing by the staff at Yodobashi with regards to Canon equipment. But senility has set in with age and my memory isn't as good as it used to be.