$400.00 2yr Warrenty Worth it?!?!?!?!

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Hello everyone! Just bought my 20D about 4 days ago and I purchased with it a 2yr warrenty for $400.00..... this covers anything and everything that could possibly go wrong with my 20d. I can throw it in a river, bash it with a hammer, run it over with my car, or fry it with a blow torch and according to them they'll fix, or replace it no questions asked.

Is this really worth it? Because..... I was just thinking that I could certainly use that 400 dollars to help by myself a Tamron 17-35 f/2.8 or a Canon 17-40 f/4L.....

Does anyone have frequent 20d breaks and accidents? Any storys that would make keeping this plan worth while? cause I can still re-neg it and get my 400 back.

Also, include prices of repair in your storys please... I'd like to know how much this thing costs to be repaired...

[RTMiller]

I don't think I would pay an extra 25% to have a two year warranty ($400 on a $1500 purchase). Sounds a little steep to me.

[JustJerk]

I wouldn't do it. For the first year, it's really only for your stupid mistakes since the camera is already warranty for defects. Get the $$$ back and put towards new toys.

[JZaun]

You can add it to your home owners policy for around $35 a year and it will cover most accidents, fire and theft, a Mack 3 year warranty is $80 and covers most normal repairs. $400 is a lot to pay. Sounds like a Ritz Blitz to me. Way over priced.

JZ

[PhotosGuy]

I got a 4 year warranty for the 300D for $90 at Circuit City 'cause it was less than the deductible if I carried it on my homeowners insurance. I think they're asking way too much, which is why it's a big profitmaker for retailers.

[robertwgross]

I'm always puzzled when somebody buys something first and then asks us if it is any good.

Extended warranty plans are one of the biggest profit-makers for vendors, whether it is automobiles or cameras or about anything else. It is also one of the biggest sources of complaints, because some of the warranties aren't worth the paper they are printed on. The consumer is always "over the barrel" because the decision of how to deal with a product failure must always be left up to the warranty company.

---Bob Gross---

[Hellashot]

Did you buy it at Best Buy or something? lol. Those kids always try and cram those damn warranties down your throat because the store probably couldn't make profit without them.

[cfcRebel]

Hmmm..... even if the crystal balls tells me my camera will drop on the floor and break one day, that still doesn't mean it will happen within these 2 yrs, and not after 2 yrs plus 1 week. So i don't see how the 2yr warranty is worth $400. :)

[Jack W.]

If you used a credit card, you may already have an extended warranty.
Mine extend the manufacturer's warranty to double whatever it is.
So, my camera and lenses all have a 2 year warranty.
Jack

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

yea, I'd much rather put it towards a 100-400L or a 17-40L........ I don't know though........ kind of worried about not having it

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Any other warrenty ideas? Different ways I can cover my camera at a cheaper price?

[glangston]

Just say no to these warranties.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

So, at that price they can replace every fourth camera? Good deal FOR THEM:evil:

I use the extended warranty of my credit card. Plus I have the coverage from State Farm as part of my home owners policy.

WAAAAAYYYYYY less than 25% of my equipment.

Check your CC policy to see if you have the extended warranty, then return that camera for a refund and try again. Even the home owner rider deductable is less than $400.

[FlyingPete]

That does seem a little steep, I got an additonal four years above my 1 year (5 total) for NZ$150, considering I paid NZ$2850, that is a much smaller porpotion to pay!

[Raj]

$400 is too much for 2 years man !
I got a extended 5 years warranty for ~$85.
20D is not going to break that easily (unless you really want to exercise your replacement rights ;))
I have G3 for last three years, has gone thru's a lot of abuse & is still going well. 20D is much better built than G3 IMO & as long as you handle it well you dont really have a lot to worry about. Having it insured against theft is much more beneficial imo.

Just get ur $$$ back & spend it on some quality glass.

[Ballen Photo]

I can throw it in a river, bash it with a hammer, run it over with my car, or fry it with a blow torch and according to them they'll fix, or replace it no questions asked.

This sounds good in theory, but when it comes right down to it, will they REALLY pay up?
I had a similar story told to me when I bought a laptop. The salesperson was so eager to sell me the extended warranty that when I asked if the battery was covered, He said YES. Well, I'm glad I asked Him that specifically, because the battery that came with it was a DUD right from the start. I went right back down there to redeem my warranty rights, and, You guessed it. That sales person was nowhere to be found. I had them look me up on their data base, and YUP, I was on it for warranty, but the manager said; We cant warrantee a BATTERY.
I got Mad, then I got loud, right in front of all those new customers that they were trying to sell warrantee's to, asking them why their word was NO GOOD on said warranty. The new battery works GREAT. ;) (and NO, this wasn't Best Buy)
BTW, I think $400 is WAY too much for an extended warranty. :shock:
-Bruce

[kenyc]

I'm always puzzled when somebody buys something first and then asks us if it is any good.

Extended warranty plans are one of the biggest profit-makers for vendors, whether it is automobiles or cameras or about anything else. It is also one of the biggest sources of complaints, because some of the warranties aren't worth the paper they are printed on. The consumer is always "over the barrel" because the decision of how to deal with a product failure must always be left up to the warranty company.

---Bob Gross---

Yes! They are almost never worth it. It's just a cash cow for the seller.

KAC

[guitarman3]

Way too much! The chances of you really needing it are small and like someone said, will it really pay or will they make some kind of excuses when it comes to your claim. $100 max and I wouldn't pay that. I've never regretted not getting an extended warranty on anything. They're a ripoff.

[MTalley]

Man, for $1400 more, I recently extended the warranty on my wife's new car for 5 years or 100k miles. And it will pay for room, food, towing and a rental car if my wife's car breaks down more than 100 miles from home.

I'd re-neg the warranty and shop for a Mack warranty at B&H. You've got 30 days from purchase to pick it up.

[mkh]

Malcom,

I did the ame thing a few years ago only to have the company file bankruptcy just before I needed to use it.

The worst part is that as part of the banckruptcy they won't honor the existing contracts but they will keep take new contracts.

[Titus213]

$400 is WAY too much for this warranty unless you are the consumate clutz (or you live with one). Some people are just hard on everything and even in that case $400 is too much money.

But I've got to believe you are getting that idea already.

[froman98]

I paid 150 for a 4yr warranty and it will cover everything that fails on it as long as I don't smash it or anything.

[Longwatcher]

I think you are getting took...
For $360 I have insurance to cover all of my camera gear (and I have a lot (as in 1DsMkII and 4 'L' lenses)) along with about $30k in artwork for a year and the 1 year Canon warranty covers the first year of repairs needed, with cost of repairs likely to be less then 10% over all equipment over a 4 year period.


I think it would cost me less then $96/year to cover just a 20D with kit lens for professional insurance (theft, drop, lose). and with a BH 3 year Mack warranty going for $80, that is $368 for 3 years of coverage with reliable vendors.

[johnnybfan]

Any other warrenty ideas? Different ways I can cover my camera at a cheaper price?

Best way to cover your camera is to insure it through your homeowners. that way you will be covered for everything - whether you drop it,kick it, throw (lol) it, or to see if it might float. :lol::lol: I'm sure it will be a lot less than $200.00 a year.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Alright, home owners insurance? I think I can do that. It's only been 7 days since I purchased the camera. The only reason I got the plan was because I figured in a year and a half I could "accidently" throw my camera off some building and replace it for a brand new one. (I like my equiptment to be shiney new) Or, if a new model came out, I could once again throw it off a building, get new one, sell new one, use money for new model. But if the home owners insurance can do the same thing for me for way less, than that's probably what I should do I guess.

Plus, I really want that 100-400L! :-) I was thinking about it this morning.... I have $400.00 comming to me soon that doesn't have to go towards any bills, plus $400.00 back from the plan is $800.00. Thats 2/3's of my 100-400L right there! Definately gettin my $ back on that warrenty!

So, thank you all SOOOOO much for helping me realize my stupidity in purchasing that plan.

What about mack warrenty's though? Better than home owners insurance? And can I get one for my 20D still since I bought it through Ritz?

[Ballen Photo]

What about mack warrenty's though? Better than home owners insurance? And can I get one for my 20D still since I bought it through Ritz?
I've heard at least one horror story from a friend that had a Mack warranty, and actually needed to use it. :shock:
I hope they've improved their service since then. :rolleyes:
-Bruce

[johneric8]

For what it's worth. A $400 warranty for a 20D for a 4 year period is the most ludicrous (stupid) thing I have ever heard of ! Run back to the store and get your money you been had..