45 Days ago I bought a $99 Canon 4200F scanner. Great functionality - made some super scans. At 34 days, it started making large clacking sound (probably something to do with belt). The call to tech support went swimmingly.

"Another is on its way - 2 day UPS. When it arrives, put the old one in the box, attach the packing slip and call UPS. No cost to you."

I've never had a tech support call go so well.

Yesterday my replacement arrived. It was a frigging REFURB Canon assured me that it had been checked out by a technician and that there were no issues concerning wear and tear (i.e., the lamp dimming over time) to be concerned with. This model has only been out since Oct, '04.

So the refurb never properly installed. The USB pins are loose or something and Canon is sending me a third scanner.

Am I a sucker or what? They said they couldn't send me a new unit. So it appears I have two options: First, I can go with the flow (and I DO like the functionality - this unit also acts through the printer as a high quality copier, makes pdf files and can even send faxes (don't need it for that)). My other option is to tell Canon to stick it and start fighting with the VISA people (and visiting every scanner review site on the web with my story).

My biggest concern is that there could indeed by some lamp degredation issues. Any suggestions?