|
 I bought a $400 digital camera 13 months ago, and then it broke. The camera company said it was an internal circuitry problem, but since it was three weeks out of warranty, it would cost $167 to fix. Would an extended warranty have really protected me?”
It’s a question we’re often asked. And these days, the answer is—in most cases—yes. But before you buy an extended warranty for your camera, let’s take a look at some other questions you might have.
What’s an extended warranty?
It’s usually a continuation of the protection of your initial camera warranty, sold by an outside repair agency. You buy it from your dealer when purchasing a new camera. Occasionally, camera makers also offer their own extended warranties on products.
How long is the coverage, and what does it cost?
The warranties extend one to seven years or more. The price depends on the cost of your camera. Your dealer will quote figures. For example, we paid $49.95 for a five-year warranty on a $450 camera. Many warranties are renewable and transferable for a modest price. (A few protect against breakage and damage you cause. We’ll get to that.)
Are all extended warranties created equal?
No. Extended warranties guaranteeing repairs by an individual store aren’t worth much if it’s a sleazy or fly-by-night outfit. But extended warranties backed by reputable companies and sold by reputable dealers provide real protection.
Two top cameras stores, New York’s B&H and Adorama, praised the integrity, competence, and efficiency of Mack Camera, whose extended warranties are sold at both stores.
Based in Springfield, New Jersey, Mack Camera & Video Service is one of the largest independent camera-repair facilities in the country. Their warranties are sold by more than 200 retail outlets. Mack is an official repair agency for Canon, Sony, Hitachi, and JVC, and fixes more than 15,000 cameras each year, both film and digital. According to the Mack extended warranty, if the camera is unrepairable, it will be replaced with another model of equal worth and capability.
When do extended warranties make the most sense?
With digital cameras. Not because they break more often than film cameras (well, maybe a bit more), but repairs are often far more expensive.
How long should the warranty be?
It depends on how long you think you’ll keep the camera.
What do you do if the camera breaks during the extended warranty period?
Contact the service company, ask for a repair authorization slip, or bring the camera to them. They’ll repair it free of charge and send it back (you pay for shipping). If the camera’s been dropped, subjected to severe impact, or otherwise misused or abused, you’ll receive a notice to that effect and a repair estimate. If you decide to have the camera repaired, any subsequent malfunctions not caused by misuse or abuse will still be covered by the balance of your extended warranty.
|
