Warranties? Worth it?

Doug Thome · April 30th, 2007, 02:48 PM

I bought the $180 no question asked 4 yr warranty from Best Buy. It allows me to sell back unused portion of the warranty to BB. It's a no brainer IMO...basically allows me to return for equal or replacement in next 4 yrs...what do you think will be available by then?...whatever, it will be a lot better then the HV20....

Anil Dasari · April 30th, 2007, 02:50 PM

I look at it like this. Most of the electronics geeks own the following devices:

1. A laptop ($1500)
2. An SLR ($1000)
3. A camcorder ($1200)
4. A TV ($500)
5. A home theatre system ($1500)

If they purchased extended warranty for all of them, it would be between $1000 and $1500. So, the extended warranty is only useful when at lteast two of these devices go bad. How frequently does it happen for brand names?

Joe Busch · April 30th, 2007, 03:28 PM

Like I said, Canon took in a 4-5 year old camera from me and repaired it within a week, I'm amazed they even had parts (if they needed any) and they repaired it for free.. It has dents, it's beat up, paint scratching off, it looks abused because it is, and they STILL repaired it for free and shipped it back.

I don't think you need a warranty honestly.

Ben Troxell · April 30th, 2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Perry

I'm planning on getting this camera from Circuit City. With a coupon I can get it for 871 bucks. They offer a 2 year warranty for 180 dollars. That seems steep for me. Is it worth it? Do these cameras usually break? I'd love the peace of mind, but that just sounds outrageously expensive. Wish I could find a place that sold the camera for that price and had a decent warranty.

What coupon is this?

Adam Perry · April 30th, 2007, 07:36 PM

10% coupon if you are a AAA member. PM if you want info, don't want to break forum rules....

Ben Troxell · May 1st, 2007, 01:02 PM

Will do, and i am.

Edit: It will not allow me to pm you. Please email me at snoboarder8232@aim.com . Thank you.

Gavin Ouckama · May 2nd, 2007, 10:40 AM

Mack warranties are transferrable.

Thus, if you were trying to sell the HV20 after the manufacturer's warranty had expired, this might make the sale more attractive and potentially result in a higher resale value.

C.S. Michael · May 2nd, 2007, 12:48 PM

I think the Best Buy (and similar) add-on warranties are a complete waste of money.

If your electronics are going to fail, it usually happens quickly -- within the manufacturer warranty period.

Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. aren't trying to do anyone any favors. Those upsold warranties represent huge amounts of profit.

Note that Costco is now offering an addtional YEAR of warranty coverage for free on all electronics items. Smart move by Costco, because it won't cost them much money.

April 30th, 2007, 02:48 PM	#16
Doug Thome New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 24	I bought the $180 no question asked 4 yr warranty from Best Buy. It allows me to sell back unused portion of the warranty to BB. It's a no brainer IMO...basically allows me to return for equal or replacement in next 4 yrs...what do you think will be available by then?...whatever, it will be a lot better then the HV20....

April 30th, 2007, 02:50 PM	#17
Anil Dasari Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 47	I look at it like this. Most of the electronics geeks own the following devices: 1. A laptop ($1500) 2. An SLR ($1000) 3. A camcorder ($1200) 4. A TV ($500) 5. A home theatre system ($1500) If they purchased extended warranty for all of them, it would be between $1000 and $1500. So, the extended warranty is only useful when at lteast two of these devices go bad. How frequently does it happen for brand names?

April 30th, 2007, 03:28 PM	#18
Joe Busch Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 398	Like I said, Canon took in a 4-5 year old camera from me and repaired it within a week, I'm amazed they even had parts (if they needed any) and they repaired it for free.. It has dents, it's beat up, paint scratching off, it looks abused because it is, and they STILL repaired it for free and shipped it back. I don't think you need a warranty honestly.

April 30th, 2007, 07:36 PM	#20
Adam Perry Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 77	10% coupon if you are a AAA member. PM if you want info, don't want to break forum rules....

May 1st, 2007, 01:02 PM	#21
Ben Troxell Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA Posts: 31	Will do, and i am. Edit: It will not allow me to pm you. Please email me at snoboarder8232@aim.com . Thank you.

May 2nd, 2007, 10:40 AM	#22
Gavin Ouckama New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 19	Mack warranties are transferrable. Thus, if you were trying to sell the HV20 after the manufacturer's warranty had expired, this might make the sale more attractive and potentially result in a higher resale value.

May 2nd, 2007, 12:48 PM	#23
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	I think the Best Buy (and similar) add-on warranties are a complete waste of money. If your electronics are going to fail, it usually happens quickly -- within the manufacturer warranty period. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. aren't trying to do anyone any favors. Those upsold warranties represent huge amounts of profit. Note that Costco is now offering an addtional YEAR of warranty coverage for free on all electronics items. Smart move by Costco, because it won't cost them much money.