What's the value of a Canon Authorized dealer?

Hi All,

I have to admit I'm getting confused as to what the value is now in a Canon authorized dealer.  With Canon's implementation of MAP pricing, all authorized dealers are required to advertise at the same price, so there's little comparison shopping between them.  Yes, you can call or email and potentially get a better price than what they are advertising online, but that price won't come close to what we are seeing happening on ebay -- with non-authorized dealers like bigvalueinc selling the 5D for $2500.  They are an "unauthorized seller", but are selling a USA model (not gray market). Where things get confusing is the issue of a Canon warranty.

Some say you won't be eligible for a Canon warranty unless you buy from an authorize dealer -- and if that were confirmed true, I would then see the value in an authorized dealer.  But no where in the warranty literature does it say the camera needs to be bought from an authorized dealer.

Some say the camera may or may not come with a Canon USA warranty card, and then I hear Canon doesn't even look at a warranty card, they want to see a receipt of proof of purchase with a date on it so they can determine if you are within the year warranty.  Again, not sure if they will reject your receipt if it is not from an authorized dealer.

I see a lot of mixed messages on the forums, and wondering if others are confused like I am or have additional insight.

Cheers.