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Digital cameras: Extended Warrenty?
warranties
by ddbpack - 8/20/05 11:36 PM In reply to: Extended Warranties by edenneyi always get a warranty from the manufacture! and believe me its not much to buy and if say a pc dies 2 and a half years later pc dies! fixed at no extra charge! i do agree that some of the time or more xtended ones are a rippoff
Extended warranty vs cost of repair...
by smartipants - 8/19/05 5:35 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983I decide on extended warranties based on the cost to repair or replace the item. For example, on my large appliances, it'll usually cost a lot more to repair a unit or replace parts than what I'll pay for, say, a new glass cooktop, for my range (which did have to be replaced after my BF dropped a cast iron skillet onto it). I did not get extended warranties on my cameras (35mm or digital) because in MY case the cost to repair is actually greater than replacement with the same model. My 35mm cost about $500 new, but I've since replaced it for less than $100. Cost to repair would have been $90/hr, the typical bench rate. If the camera breaks while in warranty, the manufacturer will repair it. If it's beyond the warranty period, you may be able to replace it with a used or factory rebuilt model for a lot less than the cost of an extended warranty.
Definitely worth it.
by kayo38 - 8/19/05 5:43 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983I purchased a Dell Dimension desktop with the 3 year extended warranty. I have a zillion programs installed, so there usually is a glitch at one time or another, and being able to call for free and get straigtened out is great. About 4 months ago, I was having trouble turning it on - they had a tech here the next day, and of course the problem ceased to exist, but he thought there was a problem with the power supply. Sure enough, it went within 2 weeks and Dell had somebody here, in house to put in a new power supply in less than 24 hours. Being a web designer, a computer down for an extended period of time is not an option. I figure the cost of the extended warranty was worth the price of the power supply and in house replacement.
I also have a Gateway notebook with an extended warranty which I consider useless. The only way I have found to solve any problems with it are to make 3 or phone calls or how many it takes to get someone to give me the right answer. Any major problems with them require boxing up the notebook and sending it to them and they say up front they have to reformat the hard drive. As far as I'm concerned, that extended warranty isn't worth the money I paid.
On the other hand, my husband is in favor of them and we have had numerous occaisions for household appliances, etc., for which they have proven well worth the cost.
It's a crap shoot but sort of like any insurance - if you have it you don't need it, but if you don't have it you need it!
extened warranties
by cavuu - 8/19/05 5:55 AM In reply to: Definitely worth it. by kayo38No, I don't think extended warranties are worth the money. If it wasn't such a big profit maker the sale people would not push so hard to sell it. I spent ½ hour in the auto sales office where the manager tried in vain to sell me over $3000 in extended warranties. If you feel you bought a lemon buy the X warranty just before the manufactureres one runs out. Three years of extended warranty, 4 years total, on a computer is ridiculous, after 3 years you are paying warranty one something that has no value. Many credit cards come an with extra year of free extended warranty use one of these cards for your electronic purchases especially if it's a high end item like a flat screen TV.
On cars, the warrantee cost is negotiable. I eventually tell
by Kiddpeat - 8/19/05 9:57 AM In reply to: extened warranties by cavuuthe dealer I'm willing to spend about 500 dollars. Miraculously, an appropriate plan is found. I even had one dealer call a few days after purchase to say a plan had been 'found'.
Extended warranty
by jrrichmond - 8/19/05 6:11 AM In reply to: Definitely worth it. by kayo38I am on my second Dell PC and had extended warranties on both. Dell backs their products and well worth the cost. If Dell couldn't fix my PC over the phone, they had a tech at my home within 24 hours. I bought my second Dell because of their customer support and will contnue to buy DELL.
Only if...
by b8375629 - 8/19/05 5:58 PM In reply to: Extended warranty by jrrichmondThat's only if you purchase Dell's premium warranty.
The standard Dell manufacturer's warranty means you'll get an incompetent help desk over in India which either doesn't know how to answer your questions, or gives you the dumb run around saying it can't be 'fixed'.
Extended warranty suggestions
by twyrick - 8/19/05 6:09 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983I do on-site computer service and consulting for a living, and a good friend of mine worked for an extended warranty company for years, covering mainly computers and peripherals.
From everything I've heard and observed, I'd say that extended warranties are *typically* not worth buying. (For example, one of the major retail electronics and appliance stores in the U.S. was *only* showing a net profit last year because of money made on extended warranty and service contract sales. Without these, they would have been operating at a loss!)
Extended warranties should probably be looked at just like insurance policies for specific products. Not all insurance policies are created equal, and the same goes for extended warranties. Just because the store you bought a product from is "reputable" doesn't mean their extended warranties are too. You have to do a little research. EG. Years ago, I purchased an inexpensive HP color inkjet printer from the local Office Depot for my employer. Normally, this would have just been a "disposable" printer, *but*, we had already gone through 3 of them in 3 years. It printed color charts and graphs from a piece of expensive industrial equipment in a factory environment. Knowing that odds were VERY good we'd only get about 1 year of useful life out of this replacement, I opted to pay Office Depot about $45 for a 3 year warranty extension with "guaranteed replacement". Sure enough, after a little over a year, I got a call to "fix or replace the printer" again! I dug up my paperwork and called the toll-free number for the extended warranty. Found out it was handled by a 3rd. party which had recently gone bankrupt, and all claims were now being handled by a new warranty company at a different number. Called the new number, and they claimed they didn't have my warranty in their database at all! Went through weeks of hassle, faxing paperwork to people and so on. After all that, the final resolution was a compromise. The new company offered me $50 cash, via a compensation check in the mail, to "buy me out" of the remainder of the warranty. They refused to pay for the full cost of another printer!
Another factor to consider is the physical size of the product. On a very large product (such as a big-screen TV), the original warranty often requires shipping it back to the manufacturer for service. Obviously, FEW people are really ever going to do this. So effectively, you have a useless warranty unless/until you buy someone's extended version that includes on-site service if it's needed.
For what it's worth, I do know that with most higher-end digital cameras (such as your Rebel XT), the manufacturer insists that all repair work be done through them for a certain amount of time. (They enforce this rule primarily so they can get a first-hand look at what is breaking on their products to see if they can spot trends that would lead them to redesign things on newer models down the road.) This policy recently frustrated a buddy of mine who was primarily concerned with getting his camera repaired and returned to him *quickly*. I think he paid a local shop to fix his, rather than mail it back to Canon under his warranty, just so he could get it back in a "couple days or so". Turns out, the local shop just mailed it off to Canon anyway.
Yes but only for items that'll face abuse
by fpinkney - 8/19/05 6:22 AM In reply to: Extended warranty suggestions by twyrickIn general I don't belive extended warranties are worth it - the comments about failing in the first year or after many are valid. The exception for me are things that will face abuse - almost any portable electronics for a teen (cell phones, MP3s, cameras etc) particularly items that have external connectors. Headphone jacks are subject to considerable wear and tear.
Got Money to Burn??
by benoddo - 8/19/05 6:51 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983I don't. Therefore I don't waste money on extended warrantees. Especially on electronics when the obsolescence period for most electronic gadgets is usually shorter than the warranty period. Meaning that you'll be looking at a new device or upgrade before the warranty period on the original one expires. Besides, electronic devices are so reliable today that the only devices I have ever failed on me were 2 CRT displays and 2 disk drives after several years steady use.
Who needs an Extended Warranty? If you don't know, READ MORE
by randysboardwalk - 8/19/05 7:14 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983The truth of the matter is that most people who buy extended warranties never use them. You have to remember, you are buying an insurance policy on whether or not the product will fail or not. And policies are sold for the simple reason of making more "Profit." You must also read the fine print, for example, some warranties cover accidental damage and others do not, some warranties only cover parts and not labor. The warranty for my Sony PSP I purchased at Best Buy for $40 states that it will only fix the PSP if it malfunctions, It will not replace a scratched up screen or replace the unit if it drops and breaks into a million pieces. It states, There can be no physical damage to the unit. I believe Circuit City has a accidental damage policy whereas, if you break it, they will still fix it. Another Example, if you purchased a warranty for the Nikon D70 from Ritz Camera, you would be covered for full replacement and repair costs, even if its your fault. So "READ THE FINE PRINT!" You also have to take into consideration the quality of the product you are buying and how well you take care of similar items. If you have had similar items that you let the kids play with and they have simply stopped working due to kid abuse, then you probably should buy a policy that will protect you against accidental or even a policy that will reapir or replace the unit if the damage is your own fault. You must consider average repair costs compared with the cost of the policy itself and shop around for the best extended warranty, remember all policies are not the same.
Quick Overview:
1. Read The Fine Print
2. Research other companies Extended Warranties (ex:Best Buy, Circuit City)
3. Assess & Compare the value of the policy compared to the average price to repair.
4. Ask Questions and make certain any guaranties are in Writing
5. Assess your own ability to keep your products & Devices like new. Meaning Rate yourself on how well you take care of your stuff? Then Decide
More helpful information hopefully
by mdgawlik - 8/19/05 7:37 AM In reply to: Who needs an Extended Warranty? If you don't know, READ MORE by randysboardwalkAs it was stated, depending on the use and ticket size of the item, base the decision on that. Also, a trick that I have used in the past, was to see if you can buy the store warranty at a later date. The manufacturer usually gives a one year anyway, so buy the store warranty near the end of the year if you feel you need it. Why let the warranties overlap or give the store a free loan on a warranty that will not start until 1 year later.
For big ticket and large potential abuse items, I would get the warranty. For big screen Tv-yes (warranty pays for labor which will cost hundreds of $), camera's might be worth it depending on your abuse level, laptop computers, depending on your carrying time, mp3 player--depends on your carrying time and potential drop time, cell phones--depends on your abuse potential, and like some else said, a larger ticket item that has output jacks that usually waer out.
For smaller ticket items or items that will not have a potential abuse problem, then I would say do not spend the time or money on it. If it does break within the year, you are uaually covered. Outside of one year, then replace and hopefully you got your money's worth.
Extended warranty
by TWalker73 - 8/19/05 7:16 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983It really depends on the nature of the product and what the warranty covers. For an item subject to being dropped, a camera or laptop, for example, an extended warranty might make sense if it covers damage of that sort. For items that will reside in fairly secure environments, printers and routers, for example, I don't think they're a good use of your money. There are exceptions, but with modern electronics if something is going to go spontaneously wrong with them, it's going to happen right away - well within the manufacturer's warranty period.
Who needs an Extended Warranty? If you don't know, READ MORE
by randysboardwalk - 8/19/05 7:20 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983The truth of the matter is that most people who buy extended warranties never use them. You have to remember, you are buying an insurance policy on whether or not the product will fail or not. And policies are sold for the simple reason of making more "Profit." You must also read the fine print, for example, some warranties cover accidental damage and others do not, some warranties only cover parts and not labor. The warranty for my Sony PSP I purchased at Best Buy for $40 states that it will only fix the PSP if it malfunctions, It will not replace a scratched up screen or replace the unit if it drops and breaks into a million pieces. It states, There can be no physical damage to the unit. I believe Circuit City has a accidental damage policy whereas, if you break it, they will still fix it. Another Example, if you purchased a warranty for the Nikon D70 from Ritz Camera, you would be covered for full replacement and repair costs, even if its your fault. So "READ THE FINE PRINT!" Even if your product fails, you may still owe a deductible, for ex: most cellular phone coverage plans require a $35.00-$50.00 deductible, take that into consideration. You also have to take into consideration the quality of the product you are buying and how well you take care of similar items. If you have had similar items that you let the kids play with and they have simply stopped working due to kid abuse, then you probably should buy a policy that will protect you against accidental or even a policy that will repair or replace the unit if the damage is your own fault. You must consider average repair costs compared with the cost of the policy itself and shop around for the best extended warranty, remember all policies are not the same.
Quick Overview:
1. Read The Fine Print
2. Research other companies Extended Warranties (ex:Best Buy, Circuit City)
3. Assess & Compare the value of the policy compared to the average price to repair.
4. Ask Questions and make certain any guaranties are in Writing
5. Assess your own ability to keep your products & Devices like new. Meaning Rate yourself on how well you take care of your stuff? Then Decide
warranties
by fpost1929 - 8/19/05 7:34 AM In reply to: Extended Warrenty? by nv1983Ten years ago they were really a good deal because there were quite a few part failures then. Now, I think they are of questionable value. My last two or three computers ran for a couple of years each without problems before I "moved up" to a newer model. In short: no problems for at least five years! (I'm tempting fate with that statement, but I'm covered because I bought an extended warranty with this one!)
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