I've compiled several new articles discussing consumer's options regarding warranties on new digital cameras. Hopefully, you'll never need to have a warranty honored because of a defective camera, but, if you do, these articles will provide some tips.
I want to focus attention on two articles in particular, where you can share your own experiences with various types of warranties. With Should You Buy an Extended Warranty?, you can share your experiences -- good and bad -- with the type of warranties that retailers often offer for an additional cost. With Resolve Warranty Disputes, share stories about times you've tried to have a warranty honored ... again, good and bad.
Just click on the articles and scroll down to the "Readers Respond" area of the article page to enter your information. Please share your stories and help fellow readers make good decisions regarding warranties!
Comments
Warranty issues. In 2008 about 8 months after I had purchased my Canon PS-S3 the swing out, multi position digital screen malfunctioned. This was pruchased through a on line dealer. I called Canon and they had me make some prelimanary tests and said to send it in, insured with proof of delivery. I did as instructed and had the camera repaired, updated, and returned to my possession within 7 days. Very “GOOD” experience.
I bought a panasonic camcorder from digital direct in new york and purchased the extended warranty of 5 years. The camera failed within months. I called panasonic and was told they did not sell or honor any 5 year warranties. Furthermore, the camera was several years old (sold as new) and parts were no longer available to repair it. My calls to digital direct were mostly ignored.I returned the camcorder to them and they simply kept senting it back to me until it finally got lost in the mail. I was out over $700 total and had the use of the camcorder for only about a month. When I notified Bank of America to reverse the charges on my debit card they refused, saying Digital Direct told them I had the camcorder and would not return it. I had returned it several times before it finally got lost somewhere between here and new york.
I have a Nikon C6 digital camera.
It doesn’t work. It reads lens error.
The Lens does not work and will not open or close.
Since I have had the camera for 2 years, I am out of luck. To fix it will cost more than it will cost to buy a newer model.
Last year I had to use two warranties on two digital cameras. I had a Canon A95 bought in 2005, which suddenly started displaying strange patterns on the screen. Checking the website showed that it was because of a defective CCD which Canon agreed to repair free of cost. They also offered me a choice of three refurbished cameras a price much lower than the market price. I opted for the SX 100. They shipped it to me and I had to ship back the A95. I also had a problem with my Casio Ex-V7 which I had bought 3 months ago and it gave the dreaded “Camera stabilizer” error. Casio again repaired it free of cost (I had to pay for shipping it to them). Both Casio and Canon honoured their warranty without any fuss. I always thought well about Canon but now I think well about Casio too. The Casio takes great videos!
I am glad I bought my extended warranty for my Pentax SLR. Just before it expired I had a major problem that would have cost me about $300 to get it fixed. I sent it in and it was fixed for $0. That was the best $60 I ever spent. The camera was going through batteries in about 1/2 hour. It came back all fixed.
I bought one of the first digital cameras, a Nikon 300, for a trip to France. While I was there I accidentaly dropped it in the toilet.
When I got home, I called Nikon to ask how much to fix it. They said send it in and we’ll see. They fixed it under warranty! I was surprised and delighted, and I now own several more Nikon items.
Warranties are for certain types of goods. Extended warranties are for stores and their bottom lines.
Electronics can fail out of the box or last forever.
I would say if you are clumsy buy a warranty.
If you go to places hazardous to the health of the equipment, buy a warranty.
Otherwise fa-ged-a-bout-it.
Never buy a camera or any other electronic before you check out there reputation and consumer ratings. Camera stores appear to be notorious for selling grey market goods and not honoring thier warrantees. I use http://www.resellerratings.com to check out on line merchants before purchasing an item. xzipplethink if you would have check before hand you would have seen that digital direct has a HORRIBLE reputation. Do you hhomework before hand and save yourself some grief in the future.
My 1st two digital cameras broke after one year and the cost to repair was too high. The next camera I purchased I researched about warranties and found that some stores sell their own coverage. Basically if they go under you have NOTHING! So I continued to look around and found http://www.northamericacoverage.com which had reasonable prices and responded to my email inquiry within 24hrs. They are underwritten by a large insurance company.
I have the coverage over a year and the camera is still working fine.