Stay away from Canon products!

[AlanRRT]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!
If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)
If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay
away from Canon!

 

[CWatters]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!

Why did you go back to canon and not the retailer? In many countries you
have a right to go back to the retailer for either a cash refund or a
replacement if a product fails in the first 28 days. After 28 days (or
whatever) you and canon then have to follow the warranty terms and
conditions.

 

[thoss]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!
If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)
If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay
away from Canon!

Your original printer had a fault. The replacement presumably also
initially had a fault, which was corrected by Canon. Maybe refurbished
printers are likely to be more reliable than brand new ones.

 

[measekite]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working.

The bottom of the line of any mfg is usually trash. You bought the
trash of the Canon line. Canon has the best consumer printers. Epson
has the best consumer scanners. That makes a good case for separates.

The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!

Thats great.

If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product.

But you bought a new piece of trash so it really does not make any
difference.

I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)

See now you agree that you bought junk.

If a quality product and customer support are important to you,

snip

Get a Canon IP4300 or Equivalent.

 

[measekite]

thoss wrote:

On Sat, 26 May 2007 wrote:



I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement REFURBISHED printer! If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told "I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.) If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay away from Canon!



Your original printer had a fault. The replacement presumably also initially had a fault, which was corrected by Canon. Maybe refurbished printers are likely to be more reliable than brand new ones.


Taking that logic a step further maybe all of the mfg should only sell refurbished products.  That is all they should make.

 

[Jan Alter]

Why did you go back to canon and not the retailer? In many countries you
have a right to go back to the retailer for either a cash refund or a
replacement if a product fails in the first 28 days. After 28 days (or
whatever) you and canon then have to follow the warranty terms and
conditions.

For what it is worth Epson follows basically the same procedure. The printer
is warranted for a year and if at any time during that period it fails Epson
replaces it with a refurbished model and the warranty for the remainder of
the year period remains in affect.
It happens that I have been buying Epsons since 1990, and I've purchased
more than 80 Epsons for our elementary school in that time. I may have sent
two or 3 back for warranty service where they sent refurbished machines back
in replacement. I've also purchased two or three refurbished Epsons at
computer shows. Every one of them has stood up to longevity (at least 5
years of good service) that I can recall. I see no comparable difference in
the refurbished Epsons to the new ones as far as quality or service
generally speaking.
I would expect similar results for Canons and not be terribly perturbed
to getting a refurbished replacement as far as its usability or longevity.

 

[Dan G]

I love Canon printers, won't buy anything else.

 

[Ivor Jones]

[snip]

For what it is worth Epson follows basically the same
procedure. The printer is warranted for a year and if at
any time during that period it fails Epson replaces it
with a refurbished model and the warranty for the
remainder of the year period remains in affect. It
happens that I have been buying Epsons since 1990, and
I've purchased more than 80 Epsons for our elementary
school in that time. I may have sent two or 3 back for
warranty service where they sent refurbished machines
back in replacement. I've also purchased two or three
refurbished Epsons at computer shows. Every one of them
has stood up to longevity (at least 5 years of good
service) that I can recall. I see no comparable
difference in the refurbished Epsons to the new ones as
far as quality or service generally speaking. I would
expect similar results for Canons and not be terribly
perturbed to getting a refurbished replacement as far as its
usability or longevity.

When I had a problem within a week with a newly purchased HP Colour
LaserJet 2605dn, I was told by the retailer to return it, they would
exchange it there and then in the shop for a brand new one. It didn't
matter that I'd printed over 500 sheets and used considerable toner, it
was exchanged without question. The retailer's policy was a full refund or
an exchange within 2 weeks, so I was lucky. Not sure what would have
happened if it had been longer.

Ivor

 

[Taliesyn]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!
If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)
If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay
away from Canon!

I bought a new Canon i860 printer a few years ago and the print head AND
paper feed assembly both failed almost simultaneously within a month of
purchase.

Canon Canada sent me a refurbished unit and it is still working over two
years later. Can't say I care as long as its working. They paid express
shipping both ways.

-Taliesyn

 

[Stuart]

Your original printer had a fault. The replacement presumably also
initially had a fault, which was corrected by Canon. Maybe refurbished
printers are likely to be more reliable than brand new ones.

Often the way with things.

--
Stuart Winsor

From is valid but subject to change without notice if it gets spammed.

For Barn dances and folk evenings in the Coventry and Warwickshire area
See: http://www.barndance.org.uk

 

[Stuart]

I bought a new Canon i860 printer a few years ago and the print head AND
paper feed assembly both failed almost simultaneously within a month of
purchase.

Canon Canada sent me a refurbished unit and it is still working over two
years later. Can't say I care as long as its working. They paid express
shipping both ways.

I bought a BJ230 (A3 black printer) so many years ago I can't remember and
it still works fine.

I currently run an S4500 (A3 colour) and two of my daughters have S450 (A4
version of the same) all are still working fine. I've had to replace the
heads in mine, quite easy as you all know, but you expect that to happen
eventually.

--
Stuart Winsor

From is valid but subject to change without notice if it gets spammed.

For Barn dances and folk evenings in the Coventry and Warwickshire area
See: http://www.barndance.org.uk

 

[Talker]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!
If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)
If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay
away from Canon!

I've read all the other replies to this thread and I think that
receiving a refurbished unit is the norm. I guess you can look at
like this......if you had sent the original unit back to Canon and
they repaired it, then sent it back to you, is it still a new unit?
I had this happen to me with a telescope that I purchased several
years ago. It worked for a few months, then the computer in it's base
malfunctioned. I called the manufacturer, and they asked if I
wouldn't

 

[Talker]

I bought a Canon Pixma 160 printer/copier/scanner, and three weeks
later, it quit working. The instruction book says that the warranty
includes "Instant exchange service", and that a replacement wil be
sent out "via 2nd day air frieght service." When I called, I was told
that they would send me a replacement, and I would recieve it in "two
to five working days." Six working days later, I had my replacement
REFURBISHED printer!
If I pay for a new product, I should have a new product. I could have
saved money by buying a refurbished printer to start with. When I
called Canon to complain, I was told "That's Canon's policy" and when
I said that I had just purchased my last Canon product, I was told
"I'm sorry that you feel that way" (translation: tough luck, we don't
care, there's plenty of other suckers out there to buy our junk.)
If a quality product and customer support are important to you, stay
away from Canon!

I've read all the other replies to this thread and I think that
receiving a refurbished unit is the norm. I guess you can look at
like this......if you had sent the original unit back to Canon and
they repaired it, then sent it back to you, is it still a new unit?
I had this happen to me with a telescope that I purchased several
years ago. It worked for a few months, then the computer in it's base
malfunctioned. I called the manufacturer, and they asked if I
wouldn't mind repairing the unit myself, if they sent me the parts. I
installed the new parts, but it still wouldn't boot up properly, so
they told me to send it back to them for repairs. They sent me a
postage paid label to place on the telescope, to cover the return
postage cost of $250 (it's a BIG telescope.<g>).
When I got it back, it was as good as new, but would that be
considered a refurbished unit? (they cleaned and re-aligned the
mirrors, and overhauled the computer.) I guess it would, but it was
my original telescope, so I'm not sure. They couldn't send me a
different refurbished unit because I bought it as a closeout
model.(Heck, if buying the older model saved me $1,000 over the new
model, I'll take it!<g>) They were coming out with a newer model, and
the one I bought was discounted to move out their inventory, so they
had no refurbished models like mine sitting in their warehouse. Had
they sent me a different refurbished unit, I wouldn't have minded, as
long as it worked.(it still works, so I'm happy.)

Talker

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Most inkjet manufacturers do the same thing, and it indicative of their
attitude about their own product. They see the product as throw away,
so there is, in their minds, little difference between a brand new
product and one that is refurbished and might look and be worn, because
they only care about getting you through the warranty period, after
that, if the thing fails, well, it just isn't their concern.

I have to question the legality of this, but perhaps if you do the
"Instant Exchange Service" they probably spell this out if your read the
details of the agreement, and as long as you can also demand that your
printer be repaired and returned or replaced with a new unit, if
required if you do not use the "Instant Exchange service" (although, as
such, you may have to wait months) then they are likely within their
legal "rights".

The other question is where the retailer comes into this. In some
locations (my province is one) the contract and therefore the warranty
is actually between the retailer and the client, not the manufacturer.
The "Sale of Goods Act" actually requires the retailer to be responsible
for all service to the client. The retailer has the contract with the
wholesaler or manufacturer, not the client. So, you can demand the
warranty be handled by them, and they are responsible to back the product.

In fact, as a result of similar legislation, here in Canada many
retailers are getting rid of rebates, because they have been found
responsible for any non-payment, and may be fined for the manufacturer
or fulfillment house not coming through. As a result, we are seeing
more and more instant rebates at the till.

I understand some US states have recently come to the same conclusion.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I used to think this was the case (that refurbs could be more reliable)
but recently I've come to see how many are dealt with. The problem with
inkjet printers most commonly, are head clogs, and other relatively
simple fixes or the units are just disposed of or some modules are
reused. These used printers, are then slightly cleaned up, and
repackaged. One very common problem is they don't always replace the
waste ink pads, unless they are quite used, so you could end up with a
printer that is much further along in its waste ink pad usage. The heads
on some thermal models like Canon can also be just flushed, but they
also have a limited lifespan so the one you get may not last as long as
the one you gave them (Some companies ask you to retain the head if it
is removable, and use it in the machine they send you).

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have found the only interest the
manufacturers have is that the printer lasts until the warranty ends.

As a result, I'd stay away from any products that offer 90 day
warranties, or only warrant parts (not labor) for a year. It says a LOT
about what the designers think of the product reliability.

Art

 

[measekite]

I bought a new Canon i860 printer a few years ago and the print head AND
paper feed assembly both failed almost simultaneously within a month of
purchase.

The printhead clogged from the use of inferior ink and Canon should not
have replaced it.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

No, your unit is not "a refurbished unit" it is YOUR refurbished unit,
and that's the difference.

If you care well for your property, both in terms of use and cosmetics,
you should get a unit back with similar (or the same) qualities (or better).

How would you feel if this was a car we were speaking of? Printers
don't have odometers on them (at least not ones that most people can see
and read) but how would you feel if you brought in a new car under
warranty that you bought two weeks earlier, and the dealer gave you a
lease return that had 120,000 km on it?

Mechanics, electronics, wear. Today most products are lucky to last the
warranty period and often only do so if you are gentle with them,
because they are often designed that way, so if you get a unit that was
abused or more used than yours, you are losing lifespan on it.

Art

 

[John]

The printhead clogged from the use of inferior ink and Canon should not
have replaced it.

Where does it say that he used inferior ink.

If you nothing of relative importance to say, keep out of the thread.

John.

 

[Taliesyn]

The printhead clogged from the use of inferior ink and Canon should not
have replaced it.

Wrong, as always. We know it wasn't the ink because the same inks are
being used 30 months later and all is working perfectly. The first
printhead didn't last 4 weeks. Are you able to do the math, or is it
too complicated for you. . .

-Taliesyn

 

[Roy G]

Most inkjet manufacturers do the same thing, and it indicative of their
attitude about their own product. They see the product as throw away, so
there is, in their minds, little difference between a brand new product
and one that is refurbished and might look and be worn, because they only
care about getting you through the warranty period, after that, if the
thing fails, well, it just isn't their concern.

I have to question the legality of this, but perhaps if you do the
"Instant Exchange Service" they probably spell this out if your read the
details of the agreement, and as long as you can also demand that your
printer be repaired and returned or replaced with a new unit, if required
if you do not use the "Instant Exchange service" (although, as such, you
may have to wait months) then they are likely within their legal "rights".

The other question is where the retailer comes into this. In some
locations (my province is one) the contract and therefore the warranty is
actually between the retailer and the client, not the manufacturer. The
"Sale of Goods Act" actually requires the retailer to be responsible for
all service to the client. The retailer has the contract with the
wholesaler or manufacturer, not the client. So, you can demand the
warranty be handled by them, and they are responsible to back the product.

In fact, as a result of similar legislation, here in Canada many retailers
are getting rid of rebates, because they have been found responsible for
any non-payment, and may be fined for the manufacturer or fulfillment
house not coming through. As a result, we are seeing more and more
instant rebates at the till.

I understand some US states have recently come to the same conclusion.

Art

Hi.

In the UK, The Sale of Goods Act 1929, was a wonderful thing. It has
recently been updated, but still has plenty of teeth. It applies between
the Purchaser and the Retailer, and then between the Retailer and his
Supplier.

Goods have to be of Merchantable Quality, which means they have to do what
any reasonable purchaser would expect. If they do not function as expected a
Refund must be offered, replacement is only acceptable if the purchaser
agrees, that is the bit which most retailers try don't want to know about.

What most purchasers don't understand, is that if they allow a repair to be
done, they can no longer insist on a refund.

Fairly recently someone managed, in Court, to get a Refund, for a new Motor
Car, and his legal expenses, after he had refused to allow the dealer to
"Recify" its faults. Car Warranties have suddenly become a lot more
flexible, no more insistence on Servicing by a Dealership during the
Warranty, etc.

It only takes one dedicated individual to "Push For" his rights by
litigation, to make these big companies start behaving more reasonably.

Roy G