Here's the goodie bag from Canon that arrived at my house today:
Canon Canada recently launched a revamped professional services program "CPS" with a tiered, paid membership system (
www.canon.ca/cps). I joined the Platinum plan which offers a number of features, most important to me being speedy service on gear. As a side bonus, they sent a package of Canon swag which arrived at my house today. The goodies include an EF lens book, Canon magazine, lens cloth, lens cap, USB data stick, pen, notebook, camera neck straps and a stack of pre-addressed courier waybills for shipping gear.
Although I joined the program for the repair & loaner servcie benefits alone, the swag is pretty cool. I've long wondered why Canon didn't better connect with pros in Canada and this seems to be a leap forward. The revamped program is supposed to result in much faster repair times, which thankfully I haven't had to test out yet!
Can I buy one of the straps? I lost mine. Love them.
ReplyDeleteCraig, you can have one of the straps.
ReplyDeleteExcellent.
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd mention the 800 in your response.
Too bad Canon USA and Canon Canada have different requirements for the CPS program. If I lived in Canada I could qualify but here in the USA I can't because I don't meet this requirement for Canon USA's program
ReplyDelete"An individual, self-employed or an employee of a professional imaging business, that, as a full-time profession, is directly involved in the creation of images; either moving or still."
I am so over CPS...I spent the time to sign up and they told me I wasnt pro enough because I dont own a 1 series camera...cover shots? columns in magazines? a dozen articles published in the last year?? Apparently what makes you a pro in Canons eyes is buying their pro cameras and paying money to sign up for their club...super lame IMO...
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sorry for the rant Ethan :)
I would suggest you try to petition them, Glenn. Here's a bit of context as to why I think they've tightened up the program. For years there was fairly small membership (my CPS # was 644... I joined a long time ago). With the recent explosive growth in photography, I suspect that the program became swamped by very part-time or minimally pro photographers. As a result, service was slow and the intent of the program wasn't being met. The recent redesign - including the membership fee - will legitimately weed out many and should improve service for those who are in (the fee is a bargain in my opinion). Obviously the system is not perfect (ie. based on what gear you own) but you can appreciate they have to have some manageable way of judging who makes the cutoff (not unlike education requirements to qualify for a job). In some cases good photographers, like yourself, will fall through the cracks. Which is why I would follow up.
ReplyDeletecheers,
Ethan
I'll just wait for Nikon to sponsor me ;)
ReplyDeleteG
644? I was 645...
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see signs of life at Canon Canada again, at least.
Great stuff, Ethan:)
ReplyDeleteThen again you do an immense amount of promotion for them.
ReplyDeleteI don't promote them so much as simply tell folks what I shoot with. Canon doesn't give me anything.... I buy all of my gear and I have no loyalty to them beyond the fact that I like their gear and know my way around the system. I'm sure I'd be as content shooting with Nikon gear.
ReplyDeletedoes every new member get 2 straps? I've seen similar posts to this, but some people have only gotten 1 strap. ...I have 2 pro bodies, I just paid the fees and Im waiting for my welcome kit. ...I just hope they send 2 straps.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if all the kits are the same, though I would guess they're consistent unless they have to substitute if out of something.
ReplyDeleteThat bag of junk is expensive.
ReplyDeleteIf you're joining Canon Professional Services just for the welcome pack, you're joining for the wrong reasons. The main benefit of CPS is the for the service and repair discounts and priority that they give to members. As well as support for photographers at shows and events across the nation, and free equipment evaluation loans. The welcome pack with goodies is just a bonus. And I'll have you know the CPS strap sells for $50-$100 on eBay, so make of that what you will.
DeleteAgreed, well put!
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