Canon Rebates Decreasing After January 3rd (Effective Price Increase)

UPDATE: We’ve had a few other reliable sources step forward to give conflicting information. It sounds like it’s still up in the air on what the next Canon rebate values will be. The only thing we are sure of at this time is the current rebates are at least good until January 3rd, 2015. We don’t know what the next rebate value will be, it could either be the current rebates extended, or reduced in value. We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

The current Canon mail-in rebates are scheduled to expire on January 3rd, 2015. We now have info from a reliable source regarding what happens next. A new rebate will begin on January 4th, but we are told that the rebate values will be significantly reduced from their current values, effectively a price increase.

We’re told most rebate values are decreasing, with some rebates disappearing altogether. We are told that the most popular items will see their rebates slashed (current rebate values shown):

This matches our expectation based on historical data: the best rebates of the year are typically during the November/December rebate periods, with a weak (or no) rebate in January.

To be eligible for the current mail-in rebate, purchases must be made before January 3rd, 2015. You don’t need to receive your purchase by then, it just has to be ordered by that date. The Canon mail-in rebates have been extremely reliable.


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11 comments on “Canon Rebates Decreasing After January 3rd (Effective Price Increase)

  1. Vanessa
    December 26, 2014 at 1:15 am EDT

    Thanks for this post. I was just about to email asking whether you kept a rebate history anywhere on the site; wondering whether the $300 type rebates are typically holiday season only (with the rest of the year being $100-200). Struggling to decide (I might do it, awfully tempted) to do a street price on the 5DIII, or wait until the 2015 successor is announced and see how much prices drop (how quickly do prices drop? Probably only when the camera is actually available, not at announcement).

    That said, I also want the 7DII (will want both FF and crop, to replace my 7D), and there’s no real deal on the 7DII right now so no sense in buying that right now. I don’t “need” right now, but shooting season will start March..with the most of it May and onward.

    While I’m at it, while I know that some of the street prices accept Discover, and some will not have tax (unfort. I’m in NY)…will the street price function allow the use of both a credit card (say Discover), and a Canon rebate AMEX card (still got mine from last year’s holiday sale).

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      December 26, 2014 at 12:03 pm EDT

      We keep a rebate history in the price graph at the bottom of each product’s page — it’s getting a bit illegible though. 🙁

      The best rebates are seen during the Holiday season. That’s been a given the last few years.

      It’s really hard for us to predict where 5D Mark III prices. Too many variables: when will the 5D Mark IV be released, what price will it be, and what price does Canon think the 5D Mark III should be, to support 5D Mark IV prices at their likely high initial level?

      Some street price retailers do accept split payments as you’ve described. I’d recommend calling AMEX and refunding the AMEX reward card back to a check or ACH transfer (I believe cards over 7 months old have a $2/mo service charge.)

  2. Fujimoto
    December 26, 2014 at 7:26 am EDT

    How do I know I have the correct promotion ID?

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      December 26, 2014 at 11:49 am EDT

      There’s only one promotion ID for the entire rebate, and it’s on the rebate form.

  3. December 26, 2014 at 12:44 pm EDT

    Does anything extra come with the 5D Mark III or is it just the body? If something is backordered, do you still get the rebate?

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      December 26, 2014 at 11:29 pm EDT

      The 5D Mark III street price comes with everything normally in the 5D Mark III retail box (charger, battery, cables, software, etc.)

      If you’re looking for additional free accessories, you should check out the printer bundle deal we write about here: http://www.canonpricewatch.com/blog/2014/12/5d-mark-iii-ebay-2329-bundle-2449-ar-street-price-2469-ar/

      You can still get the rebate provided they ship it to you and you submit the rebate prior to February 3rd, 2015.

  4. adam
    December 26, 2014 at 1:43 pm EDT

    Where is the combination of $650 for printer and 5dmkiii body.
    I can’t see $650 rebate on the form, only $300

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      December 26, 2014 at 11:30 pm EDT

      It’s two separate & simultaneous rebate submissions, using the same form, value $300 and $350. This is discussed in excruciating detail on our post about this topic.

      http://www.canonpricewatch.com/blog/2014/11/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-canon-mail-in-rebates/

  5. Vanessa
    December 26, 2014 at 2:45 pm EDT

    Thanks for the info. It’s a little too late now to get the card refunded if I’m going to buy soon; possibly I’ll just it (and the second rebate if I do it) to pay for the 7DII once it’s been on the market for a while.

    My suspicion/possible theory is that Canon dropped the price $300 permanently on the 5DIII, partly due to the competition, and partly because it will probably keep the 5DIII on the market for a while as the “moderately priced” full-frame (given that they kept the 7D around for 5 years, and the Rebel line is now at least 2 years…yearly updates are a thing of the past, Canon says).

    My guess would be a mirrorless Rebel for the consumers (possibly FF), a 6DII that is nearer the $2000 point, with more of the 5DIII features (AF points), the “cheaper” 5DIII at $2800-3000 (for those who don’t NEED higher MPs/frame rate), and the 5DIV MP monster at $3600-4000 for studios, maintaining or slightly increasing frame rate. Then, for the sports/wildlife people, the baby 1DX (7DII) at a “reasonable” $1700-1800, and the 1DX and its replacement at their current price levels or possibly cheaper.

  6. December 26, 2014 at 11:00 pm EDT

    Are you guys going to answer the above questions?

    1. CanonPriceWatch
      December 26, 2014 at 11:33 pm EDT

      Yes. (Although comments on the blog is not the best support method, if you have specific questions about a street price item, please use the street price form. Also, we’re running a bit more delayed this week on account of the holiday — should spend time with family…)

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