p.2 #1 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
molson wrote:
The CPS price is not actually a discount - it is the "dealer net" price; the "discount" is just the difference between that particular store's marked-up retail price and the net price.
Some stores already gear close to the dealer net price, and some of them actually sell below CPS price, so it always pays to shop around.
True, the problem with new gear is that you pay a premium at first. The prices get better once they've been out for a while. I still have to take my lens in for the firmware upgrade, a bit of a hassle, especially since I've been quite happy with the performance.
p.2 #2 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
molson wrote:
You won't get 15-20% off local prices - 4-5% is more typical - but that's still a fair chunk of change on a $10,000 purchase, and will pay for a couple of years worth of membership dues.
Here's what I saved, compared to prices at Vistek/Henry's at the time I bought them through CPS.
p.2 #4 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
Gary Irwin wrote:
Decent savings, but nobody with any brains pays Vistek's or Henry's advertized prices.
Ouch, Gary .......I feel this is gonna get ugly pretty damn quick now .........nobody messes with East coasters with impunity.....I am outta here before chairs and beer bottles start flyin'
Keep in mind you're comparing with two of the most expensive photo stores on the entire planet...
Even without a CPS card you could probably save the same percentages by shopping at stores like Aden, Lozeau, Memory Express, Photo Expert, Camtec, McBain, or The Camera Store.
p.2 #8 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
molson wrote:
The flat rate repair charge for the 17mm TS-E is $299, less your CPS discount (20% for Gold, 30% for Platinum).
Turnaround time from Okotoks to Mississauga and back is usually 36-48 hours (Platinum membership) so being in Calgary should shave a few hours off of that time...
If you're a Platinum member, you often get to go to the front of the line when new pro gear is released, although if there simply aren't any lenses available, that may not help.
You won't get 15-20% off local prices - 4-5% is more typical - but that's still a fair chunk of change on a $10,000 purchase, and will pay for a couple of years worth of membership dues....Show more →
Thanks for the information. Much appreciated. Scott
p.2 #9 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
molson wrote:
Some stores already gear close to the dealer net price, and some of them actually sell below CPS price, so it always pays to shop around.
+1
I was shopping for a different lens a few months ago (I forget if it was the 135 F/2 or the 50 F/1.2), and the CPS price was actually higher than what I could get from Aden or Henry's with a price match. A store that will go unnamed even asked me if I'd been a CPS member for a long time when I asked for their CPS discount.
Also, you have to earn most of your income from photography/imaging in Canada to qualify for CPS platinum; only CPS gold is open to hobbyists (there's no silver membership). The description of terms and benefits of Gold CPS membership is a little confusing, but I think it says or at least implies that you are not entitled to loaners at all (not even lenses), just faster turnaround, (apparently) free shipping and repairs discount. I'm not sure if I should renew my Gold CPS in Canada, but that (of course) is just me. You (the OP) may find it worthwhile.
p.2 #10 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
Gary Irwin wrote:
Decent savings, but nobody with any brains pays Vistek's or Henry's advertized prices.
Yes, do you research and ask either one to match a cheaper retailer (Canadian, with mortar-and-brick presence). Hmm, this could be why they rather hate me at Henry's
p.2 #11 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
I prefer TCS for items that aren't covered by CPS or readily available through my local Atlantic Photo Supply.
A lot of people use B&H prices for standard comparisons. Right now, B&H prices are within 4% of Henry's, after you include shipping & handling costs, for a list of 17 L primes and zooms that I'm tracking. The price difference is within 1% if you eliminate two outliers (TS-E 17 and 180L) from the comparison. The list price for the 800L in particular is about $1250 less at Henry's than B&H. I rarely hear people griping about price comparisons based on B&H...
p.2 #13 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
Any Canadian store can order from CPS Canada, but some don't because there's very little in it for them. I get my CPS orders through the same shop that does my printing, where I have a pro account.
CPS service saves members a lot of money, too. I had a lens repaired last year for the flat rate, when the local repair shop estimated it would cost at least twice that for parts alone. They recommended I use CPS, and it saved me over $500 on that one repair - easy.
CPS Canada is also a good source of loaners. Compared to what I hear about CPS US, CPS Canada is light years ahead.
p.2 #14 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
RobertLynn wrote:
My problem with cps Canada is that they get discounts on products at select stores and it's not a program that you have to e a pro to get in.
In the states, I'm a pro, I get no discounts on gear.
Cps is not so much a "professional" service as it is a "canon monetary initiative".
p.2 #17 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
rdalrt wrote:
BTW, is there any swag this year for renewals? I renewed in July, but haven't seen anything. Just curious.
Maybe...
Here's part of an email I got from CPS when I renewed last month.
Dear James Colwell,
Canon Canada thanks you very much for renewing your CPS membership and we would like to send you a token of our appreciation of your continued patronage...
I'm not holding my breath, but it sounds promising.
p.2 #18 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
If you are purchasing any L lenses or a 1D body, the membership will pay for itself. I just picked up the 1DX this year and the savings more then paid for the membership fees. I also have pre-ordered the 24-70L II, so CPS will also save me some money there as well. In previous years, the savings on the 17L TSE, 24L TSE II, 16-35L II and 70-200F2.8 IS II also made made the membership worthwhile.
The only thing I don't like about the CPS program in Canada versus the USA is that there isn't any free or discounted mirror/sensor cleaning.
p.2 #19 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
jcolwell wrote:
Canon Canada thanks you very much for renewing your CPS membership and we would like to send you a token of our appreciation of your continued patronage...
I'm not holding my breath, but it sounds promising.
p.2 #20 · Canadian CPS Membership - Worth it for very serious Hobbyiest
rdalrt wrote:
Heh, I got that email as well. 2 months ago.
I got that in July as well. I actually called in early August and was told that they were shipping them out in a week and then called again last week and was told the same thing. All I really want is the Purolator labels at this point, and was told they would email me the instructions, but I still haven't received the email either.
I know they were having some system issues just taking the payment and it took around 2 months, for them to actually be able to take my renewal payment.
.......I feel this is gonna get ugly pretty damn quick now 
.........nobody messes with East coasters with impunity.....I am outta here before chairs and beer bottles start flyin' 
