My 5D went in for service three times in it's first six months.

However, each time I had it back within about five days.  Really depends how good your local repair centre is.

They replaced the circuit board three times!

I never use USB plug, I have a card reader on my PC, integrated, and it is easier for me to eject memory card and stick it into PC and transfer images.

same here.  Transfering files also goes WAAAAYYYy faster with a card reader than through the camera USB port.

I use the usb-connection to remotely operate the camera, sometimes.

Anyway, my 5d needs repair, the flash only pre-flashes in ettl and does nothing in manual-mode.
I made a work-around by connecting the flash and camera's x-contact with a short cable.
It works fine, don't want to be without a camera for a couple of weeks.

I never use USB plug, I have a card reader on my PC, integrated, and it is easier for me to eject memory card and stick it into PC and transfer images.

Looking at all the tiny pins inside the card socket I tought  I was bright using the usb wire for small batches of photos...

I learned something...

As for the month delay, the salesperson told me that Canon Service Center here in Montreal had a very big summer for repairs!  I'm not sure I like to hear things like that!

Claude

I had to send my Nikon D70 in to Nikon for repair for a "known issue" ("green blinking light of death") last year.  It took several weeks, but the service was free because it was a flaw in the manufacturing of the camera.

I now have my SB-600 flash in for repair and they said 4-5 weeks for that.  To top it off it's going to be $129 where a brand new flash is only about $180.  Of course, I went through a local camera store rather than sending it directly to Nikon myself, so I'm sure the camera store added a mark-up to the actual repair cost.

Lucky for me the Nikon service center is right around the corner from where I work. I recently had my 18-200 lens repaired (AF stopped working). They said it would take 2-3 weeks but it came back in only 1 week. All costs covered by warranty.

Seems to be functioning fine but I haven't really put it through any heavy shooting yet either.

wow... i'm surprised to hear all the bad news about Canon.  Some time ago (10 years, maybe more)  one of my kids borrowed my Canon film cam and went out to shoot pix.   It turned out to be a bad day for that cam. While it was turned on, they dropped it in a river.  Needless to say.... it went Ptttfzzzzt!  Took it's last picture. It was past tense, it went to the big camera store in the sky, it was no more.  I took it into a local cam shop and was read the last rites on it. 
    I held onto it for no good reason, sentimental I suppose. The thing shot hundreds, probably thousands of great pix for me.

About 2 years, maybe 3, ago,  a friend of mine asked....  "you still got that canon film cam you let go swimming?"        ....yeah...    "Well, the canon guys are coming to my camera shop and they will fix any canon no matter what the problem for only $99."        I figured, what the hey?  Give it a shot, most they can do is laugh.

well, they DID laugh when the got their hands on it.  BUT..... they said they'd fix it. They had to send it back to the factory for the repairs.

Long story short,  I had it back in about a month,  they charged me 99 bucks and today, the  thing shoots like it's brand new.  I originally purchased it in 1975.   This is one of the reasons why I personally am a Canon supporter.  My experience with them has been nothing but the best!!   =tom

I had 3 cannons in a row that "went south."  1 film and 2 video.  They all went in for repairs at least once.  I had Nikons before that with no problems, and Pentax following with no problems.  I guess everyone's mileage varies 

Same goes for ink jet printers.  My Husband detests Epson printers while I've never had a single problem.  He love HP which is okay in my eyes, but not nearly as good as my Epson!