Some observations from a repair tech of twenty plus years...
In today's current corporate business model, service is more or less a necessary evil. Anything that subtracts from the bottom line causes acute physical pain, despite the fuzzy-feel-good marketing.
The range of experiences at different service facilities has as much to do with the managerial style at that location as it does with the policies of the parent company. I spent a year at Hasselblad's shop in California and witnessed a radical change in attitude when the fellow that hired me left and was replaced with a woman who had rather different ideas as to how to treat the employees as well as the customers. By the time I left business had dropped 25% and the exodus of the workers had begun. It limped along for a few years after and they eventually closed it. I heard that Captain Bligh was there 'till the bitter end, despite the numerous complaints by customers and employees.
That said, I would have to say that overall Canon has probably the best service track record out there. They usually have about a two week turn-around and their prices are usually fair. They also have the most reasonable parts prices by far. They will frequently still honor a warranty service even if it's a couple weeks or so past and they have also repaired CF pin damage as a warranty repair under certain circumstances. No other manufacturer does this. Heck, Nikon USA won't even perform a non warranty repair on equipment not purchased through them and treat it like it was radioactive.
All, except for the high end, point and shoots are more or less considered disposable. This is ensured by pricing repairs and parts prices high enough to make it more attractive to just by a new one.
Digital camera construction is modular, which is one reason for high parts costs. The fellow with the 5D mirror problem had the whole mirror box assembly replaced is that is the only way it's available and manufacturer techs won't repair a sub-assembly. I have seen replacement LCD assemblies for a point and shoots that were almost the price of the camera and as much as a small LCD TV. And while they are modular, working on most of this stuff is a real PITA. Most are assembled like a Chinese puzzle box and the various connectors are very fragile.
As far as the Chinese are concerned, they don't have to invest in developing technology. Companies from around the world are clawing over each other in a rush to build plants and the old "give a man a fish..." adage is already coming back to bite them. Check out
http://www.popsci.com/iclone.
