HDEW and Canon cashback (1 Viewer)

[Roy C]

Has anyone susccesufully claimed a Canon cash back from a HDEW purchase?
I know that their gear is grey imports but that does not mean that you cannot get a cashback as I found to my advantage recently. The main criteria seems to be a UK invoice.
I was just reading a post on another website where someone contacted Canon and they said that HDEW were a recognised UK Canon seller.

 

[2slo]

You might get the cashback if the UK VAT invoice is the only criteria. I think that's about as far as you'd get though with Canon, on the basis that Canon only warranty official UK stock through their dealers and HDEW offer their own warranty to cover the shortfall.
The only complaints I've seen re HDEW have been from people who've bought from them without doing their homework and then went on to whinge that they got something clearly sourced from overseas. Most people have been happy with their purchase and the money saved.

 

[Roy C]

You might get the cashback if the UK VAT invoice is the only criteria. I think that's about as far as you'd get though with Canon, on the basis that Canon only warranty official UK stock through their dealers and HDEW offer their own warranty to cover the shortfall.

I have just got a cash back from Canon for a Camera I bought from Kerso (Ian Kerr at Flash Camera). I had to supply the invoice plus the serial number of the camera which shows that it was a grey import but Canon still paid me!. This Camera was most certainly not official warranty UK stock (even Canon themselves said it was a grey import via an email to me).
I have been buying off of Kerso for many years now and in case you did not know all Flash Camera's gear are grey imports from the states.

For anyone who buys a cash back product from HDEW I would think it is certainly worth a try.

 

[telejd]

I have just got a cash back from Canon for a Camera I bought from Kerso (Ian Kerr at Flash Camera). I had to supply the invoice plus the serial number of the camera which shows that it was a grey import but Canon still paid me!. This Camera was most certainly not official warranty UK stock (even Canon themselves said it was a grey import via an email to me).
I have been buying off of Kerso for many years now and in case you did not know all Flash Camera's gear are grey imports from the states.

For anyone who buys a cash back product from HDEW I would think it is certainly worth a try.

Claim for a 7d gone in today, I'll post as soon as I hear from Canon

 

[Cashie]

Only on lenses Roy

 

[Roy C]

Only on lenses Roy

Hi Paul, do you mean that you can get Canon cashback from HDEW lens purchases but not Camera's? if so that seems strange. My recent cash back was for a Camera albeit not a DSLR (SX50).

 

[2slo]

I have just got a cash back from Canon for a Camera I bought from Kerso (Ian Kerr at Flash Camera). I had to supply the invoice plus the serial number of the camera which shows that it was a grey import but Canon still paid me!. This Camera was most certainly not official warranty UK stock (even Canon themselves said it was a grey import via an email to me).
I have been buying off of Kerso for many years now and in case you did not know all Flash Camera's gear are grey imports from the states.

For anyone who buys a cash back product from HDEW I would think it is certainly worth a try.

So it seems Canon's criteria is clearly just 'bought in UK and does it have the invoice to prove it' before giving the refund. That's fine and I'd consider those two suppliers for future purchases (both get good reviews on several forums I've read)
My comment was just a note of caution for those thinking that there's a big saving to be had and not looking any further. Again, provided you're satisfied with a 3rd party warranty rather than Canon, fine, carry on. IIRC HDEW offer a 3 year warranty on some if not all products, i.e. longer than Canon.
I don't think all grey imports are worth considering though. The two suppliers above are about the only ones I'd look at. Certain dealers advertising equipt sourced in Hong Kong have small print pointing out that the buyer is responsible for customs duties. When you do the maths some of them work out more expensive than the best UK deals.

 

[Cashie]

Hi Paul, do you mean that you can get Canon cashback from HDEW lens purchases but not Camera's? if so that seems strange. My recent cash back was for a Camera albeit not a DSLR (SX50).

Hi Roy

I bought a 100-400 a while back & got the cash back no bother, but when I tried it with my camera body, Canon said they don't fix imports under warranty.

Also on cameras they give you 3 years warranty through an independent repairer & on lenses Canon will fix them.
I must agree though it does seem odd.

 

[Roy C]

So it seems Canon's criteria is clearly just 'bought in UK and does it have the invoice to prove it' before giving the refund. That's fine and I'd consider those two suppliers for future purchases (both get good reviews on several forums I've read)
My comment was just a note of caution for those thinking that there's a big saving to be had and not looking any further. Again, provided you're satisfied with a 3rd party warranty rather than Canon, fine, carry on. IIRC HDEW offer a 3 year warranty on some if not all products, i.e. longer than Canon.

I am not saying that Canon's criteria is just 'bought in the UK', indeed if you read the Canon cashback terms they do state that grey imports will not qualify. But as I have managed a successful cashback on a grey import I was just wondering if this was also the case with HDEW gear.

Apart from a couple of cheapie superzoom cameras (SX40/50) all my so called 'grey' import purchases have been for Canon 'L' lenses that have international warranties (unlike Cameras) so warranty issues does not come in to it - Canon UK will do warranty work for 'L' lenses as far as I known no matter where they were bought.

 

[Roy C]

Hi Roy

I bought a 100-400 a while back & got the cash back no bother, but when I tried it with my camera body, Canon said they don't fix imports under warranty.

Also on cameras they give you 3 years warranty through an independent repairer & on lenses Canon will fix them.
I must agree though it does seem odd.

It is interesting that you did get a cashback for a HDEW lens Paul, at least that's worth knowing.

 

[telejd]

Claim for a 7d gone in today, I'll post as soon as I hear from Canon

Received the following today from Canon, I've blocked out the serial number in case you are wondering

"We refer to your recent claim under the Canon Spring Cashback Promotion in respect of a camera purchased from “HDEW Cameras” with serial number XXXXXXXXXX.
We are very sorry to inform you that, although the camera is a genuine Canon camera, it was put on the market outside of Europe and was not intended for the European market. Such products are known as "parallel goods" or "grey market" goods and their sale in the UK is unlawful. Therefore, we are very sorry to say that we cannot accept your promotion claim in respect of this product
The sale of such products in the UK infringe Canon's trade mark rights and risk a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer’s one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.
We have reported this matter to our Anti-Counterfeit Legal Team.
You may use this communication to assist you in obtaining any remedies (including a full refund) from the seller from whom you purchased the product.
If you would like any assistance in identifying a retailer from whom to purchase a legitimate Canon camera then please see our website (link below) for a non-exhaustive list of options (note that only new products are eligible for promotions, not refurbished products from the Canon ebay store):"

So doesn't work for bodies

 

[Roy C]

Received the following today from Canon, I've blocked out the serial number in case you are wondering

"We refer to your recent claim under the Canon Spring Cashback Promotion in respect of a camera purchased from “HDEW Cameras” with serial number XXXXXXXXXX.
We are very sorry to inform you that, although the camera is a genuine Canon camera, it was put on the market outside of Europe and was not intended for the European market. Such products are known as "parallel goods" or "grey market" goods and their sale in the UK is unlawful. Therefore, we are very sorry to say that we cannot accept your promotion claim in respect of this product
The sale of such products in the UK infringe Canon's trade mark rights and risk a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer’s one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.
We have reported this matter to our Anti-Counterfeit Legal Team.
You may use this communication to assist you in obtaining any remedies (including a full refund) from the seller from whom you purchased the product.
If you would like any assistance in identifying a retailer from whom to purchase a legitimate Canon camera then please see our website (link below) for a non-exhaustive list of options (note that only new products are eligible for promotions, not refurbished products from the Canon ebay store):"

So doesn't work for bodies

That's fairly conclusive I would say!

 

[tdodd]

That does seem very cut and dried. However, the interesting remark there is about the "European market". HDEW supplied my 5D3 last year and, whilst not a UK model, it was a European model. At the time there was no cash back offer, so that point is moot, but maybe it would be worth clarifying the stock origins when placing an order and seeing whether it is possible for them to source from within Europe.

FWIW, here is a reply I received to my pre sale enquiry last year....

Hi Tim,

The camera will be EU Stock, the camera body comes with a three year warranty, which covers you for mechanical faults, breakdown, parts and labour and this will be repaired in the UK through a Canon repair centre. The first year of the warranty is with Canon and the next two years will be with us as your retailer.

Yes when you place the order if you request a VAT invoice we can get one sent out for you.

We do not discount on bank transfers I am afraid, the camera body is priced at the lowest we can offer as we do try to keep them as low as possible.

Delivery will be within 3-5 working days from when you place the order.

Please call us on 0208 669 5668 10am - 5pm (or 10am - 3pm on sat) if you are interested, or if you would like any more information.

Kind regards
Melissa

So, EU stock with first year warranty covered by Canon. But that was then. Maybe things have changed.

 

[Cashie]

My camera body is an american import from Hdew & it's been a cracker ( touch wood ).

Anyway I couldn't say a bad word about this firm as the prices are fantastic, compared to a lot of others, they are trustworthy & reliable, they contact you to inform you when your item will be delivered & I will certainly use them again. Good on you Hdew!

 

[Granary Studio]

Fascinating reply from Canon if not a little paranoid.

Clearly the camera does not qualify for cash back, having bought a canon 5d111 recently, HDEW did point out that it would not qualify for cash back, but each purchaser is free to do their own sums and weigh up the deal.

My concern/ humour is with Canons over reaction, they clearly state the camera is a genuine canon product. Grey trading is not illegal, it happens in many industries and simply exists because of differentials in manufacturer pricing from country to country, and differences in pricing which can be magnified by local tax laws and currency fluctuations. In fact the UK government facilitates grey trade in many industries as it considers the competition will benefit consumers.

I just love the idea that a genuine canon camera is somehow not legitimate, (canon's own words).
We can all form our own views on any retailer and forums like this offer great feedback . I regularly buy camera products from canons official UK distributor and also purchase from HDEW and in the past Kerso.
Product pricing has never been so transparent, so we can all pick a retailer and take a view on service v price. Of course sometimes you can be lucky and get both.

So Canon, if you want to stop grey trade, then sort out your international pricing, it will only benefit UK consumers.

You have to smile,

Neil




"We refer to your recent claim under the Canon Spring Cashback Promotion in respect of a camera purchased from “HDEW Cameras” with serial number XXXXXXXXXX.
We are very sorry to inform you that, although the camera is a genuine Canon camera, it was put on the market outside of Europe and was not intended for the European market. Such products are known as "parallel goods" or "grey market" goods and their sale in the UK is unlawful. Therefore, we are very sorry to say that we cannot accept your promotion claim in respect of this product
The sale of such products in the UK infringe Canon's trade mark rights and risk a number of other legal implications including Customs and tax offences, improper localisation for the UK market (including for example, low grade or unsafe third party UK power cords, no valid UK/European manufacturer’s one year warranty, and ineligibility for European promotions) and breach of European Environmental and Safety requirements.
We have reported this matter to our Anti-Counterfeit Legal Team.
You may use this communication to assist you in obtaining any remedies (including a full refund) from the seller from whom you purchased the product.
If you would like any assistance in identifying a retailer from whom to purchase a legitimate Canon camera then please see our website (link below) for a non-exhaustive list of options (note that only new products are eligible for promotions, not refurbished products from the Canon ebay store):"

So doesn't work for bodies[/QUOTE]

 

[shoshone]

I would add that even B&H sell 'imports' which I assume are 'grey' or 'gray' in their case. On the site you often get two options 'USA' or import ;-)

I concur with the observation about sorting out international pricing. It seems the UK is deemed fat enough to rip-off - Canon and many other companies will see a lot of 'official' sales loss over the next few years as peeps go grey because we are not all as 'fat' as we used to be!

My 2p worth