MACK warranty, using one! at DVinfo.net

Bryan Mitchell · May 29th, 2005, 04:39 AM

Alright, so it seemed clear to me that in a sense MACK is a scam. The stores up sell you on them knowing that 95% of the people are never going to use them (and thus make a ton of money selling them). Until now I've been pretty upset that I bought one, but now I'm going to try to use it. (Yes, I bought my camrea at a place I wish I hadn't. B&H all the way ever since, though!)

Does anyone have any experience with USING their MACK? It seems kind of shady, being that you have to send them $20 (but I guess that's return shipping) and the fact that it takes 4-6 weeks. (They obviously know that any person buying an XL1s is likely never going to have 4-6 weeks of not needing it available to them.) But beyond all of their trying to get people to not use it... is using it legit? I don't want my XL1s camera body to disappear. By the way, I’m sending it in to fix the Firewire port (stopped working) and for tape head maintenance. I’m going to sell it to a friend of mine, and then grab an XL2.

So to clarify… anyone have any experience with USING their MACK warranty? It's kind of funny... kind of sad, that I have to word it that way.

Thanks,
Bryan

Alex Barabas · May 29th, 2005, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan Mitchell

Alright, so it seemed clear to me that in a sense MACK is a scam. The stores up sell you on them knowing that 95% of the people are never going to use them (and thus make a ton of money selling them). Until now I've been pretty upset that I bought one, but now I'm going to try to use it. (Yes, I bought my camrea at a place I wish I hadn't. B&H all the way ever since, though!)

Does anyone have any experience with USING their MACK? It seems kind of shady, being that you have to send them $20 (but I guess that's return shipping) and the fact that it takes 4-6 weeks. (They obviously know that any person buying an XL1s is likely never going to have 4-6 weeks of not needing it available to them.) But beyond all of their trying to get people to not use it... is using it legit? I don't want my XL1s camera body to disappear. By the way, I’m sending it in to fix the Firewire port (stopped working) and for tape head maintenance. I’m going to sell it to a friend of mine, and then grab an XL2.

So to clarify… anyone have any experience with USING their MACK warranty? It's kind of funny... kind of sad, that I have to word it that way.

Thanks,
Bryan

I haven't used one but I know people that have on still cams... supposedly they're legit... their warranties are pretty cheap (200$ for 4 years on an xl2) compared to other places that sell them for 500-800$... personally I prefer Best Buy's and will get that over any other if they sell the camera... they don't know any better because they have no bracket for any camcorders that expensive and you only pay 250$ for 4 years which covers unlimited cleanings, the lens, the battery, important accessories that come with it, wear and tear, and if you were to have any 4 problems in those 4 years, they just give you a brand new item.

Anthony Marotti · May 29th, 2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan Mitchell

Alright, so it seemed clear to me that in a sense MACK is a scam. The stores up sell you on them knowing that 95% of the people are never going to use them (and thus make a ton of money selling them). Until now I've been pretty upset that I bought one, but now I'm going to try to use it. (Yes, I bought my camrea at a place I wish I hadn't. B&H all the way ever since, though!)

Thanks,
Bryan

If you buy an extended warranty from B&H, you'll most likely be getting a MACK as well.... so..................

I have had MACKs in the past and haven't needed them (thank God).

I have called and gotten info from them because I thought that I had to send it in. They are not very polite, I guess if you are in the Big Apple or NJ area you feel that you are expected to be rude, and they oblige.

They were more helpful than I expected though, but I was told that it would be weeks before I got my cam back, and I didn't get the sense that it would be repaired correctly when I did.

I wish Canon offered extended warranties :-(

Bryan Mitchell · June 5th, 2005, 04:18 AM

I called them, and suprisingly, they were very nice on the phone! Almost too nice...

The wait to get my camera back is going to suck, but at least now I think it will come back to me repaired.

Firewire Fix + Tape Head maintenence.

Anthony Marotti · June 5th, 2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan Mitchell

I called them, and suprisingly, they were very nice on the phone! Almost too nice...

The wait to get my camera back is going to suck, but at least now I think it will come back to me repaired.

Firewire Fix + Tape Head maintenence.

Hello,

What was wrong with the firewire, and head?

When did you send it in?

How long did they say it would take to fix and for you to have it back?

Please let us know how long it actually takes to get it back, if the return shipping packaging was satisfactory, and if the repairs were performed properly.

Thanks !!

Bob Costa · June 5th, 2005, 08:20 AM

Did you buy the consumer or professional warranty?

Bryan Mitchell · June 5th, 2005, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony Marotti

Hello,

What was wrong with the firewire, and head?

When did you send it in?

How long did they say it would take to fix and for you to have it back?

Please let us know how long it actually takes to get it back, if the return shipping packaging was satisfactory, and if the repairs were performed properly.

Thanks !!

The Firewire port stopped working. I figured I'd have them perform maintenence on the tape heads while it was there. (They're pretty good, only had 1 problem ever, but why not?)

I'm sending it in tommorow.

4-6 weeks.

Ok.

Jacob Walker · June 9th, 2005, 03:59 PM

Hey Bryan,
I have successfully sent in my xl1s for a blown firewire port and it came back fine. They seemed a little shady when I called them at first, cause I wanted to make sure they had record of my warranty when I first registered.

They didn’t seem to have record but said to send it with my card. It took a total of 4 weeks to get it back. I called them like every week, and on the second week they said they had to send it to the canon factory service in Illinois (I sent the camera to their shop in New Jersey) So week four comes and I call them to check up, and the lady says it’ll be like another 3 weeks. After displaying my disgust, (I wasn’t that mad just wanted my camera) she said they could ship it out cause it was a “Prosumer Camera”.

And that’s it, it came back fine and in working order.

Jacob

Bryan Mitchell · June 9th, 2005, 05:17 PM

Alright, I sent it in yesterday.

Could you elaborate on (it will be 3 more weeks.... oh wait, ok you can have it now)?

I'm a bit confused how that works... other than the first statement being a lie by them. Once you send them the camera, what's in it for them to keep it so long? I understand saying 4-6 weeks, and $20.... that keeps few people from using their service.... but once they have the camera, why keep it as long as possible?

Also, when you called, what phone number did you use?
Was it: 973-467-2291 x111 for Counter ?

edit: Oh great.... look what they have on their site now:

Quote:

MAINTENANCE ALERT!
June 9th, 2005

We are in the process of upgrading our computer system and are unable to process registrations for warranties or repair service. Further, we will not be able to report repair status on-line during this update. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
If you would like to register your warranty, or arrange for repair service, please try again later.

Thank you for understanding and we hope to resolve these problems today.

Bryan Mitchell · June 10th, 2005, 10:30 AM

This e-mail is to inform you that your equipment
listed above has been received in our facility.
We will notify you via e-mail about the status of
your equipment.

SWEET!!!!

Bryan Mitchell · June 13th, 2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Dear Customer:

We have ordered the parts to complete your repair.
It can take up to six weeks for us to receive
parts. We will notify you when your repair is
completed.

You may track the progress of your repair yourself.
Visit our web site, www.mackcam.com and click on
"Check Repair Status"

Your RA Number is ******

Thank you for your business.

What the... so now it can take up to 6 weeks just to get the part? I guess I'll get my camera back as a new years gift?

Anyone have any ideas on what to say when I call them up that would get them moving faster, instead of making them mad and purposly going slower?

Alex Barabas · June 14th, 2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan Mitchell

What the... so now it can take up to 6 weeks just to get the part? I guess I'll get my camera back as a new years gift?

Anyone have any ideas on what to say when I call them up that would get them moving faster, instead of making them mad and purposly going slower?

I'd ask them if those estimates are accurate (most of the time they're worst case scenario). If it takes more than what you deem reasonable, BBB.org is an awesome place to start... you'd be surprised what you can get resolved.

Pete Wilie · June 14th, 2005, 02:16 PM

It would appear by the lack of response to this thread that few people have purchased Mack warranties. I just bought a PD170 and was thinking about buying a Mack warranty for it. But now, I'm not sure that's a wise investment.

The PD170 is a very reliable, rugged camera by all reports. Unlike the Canon cameras, I've not seen any problems reported with the tape drive mechanism.

If I do have a problem, I'm not sure I can tolerate being without the camera for 4-6 weeks, or more. Seems unreasonable amount of time for a repair.

If anyone has any positive experience with Mack I'd sure love to hear about it. Please post your experience.

Bryan Mitchell · June 17th, 2005, 10:13 AM

I just got this email:

Quote:

Dear Customer:

Your equipment has been repaired and will be
returned to you shortly.

Thank you for your business.

Wow! Soon I will find out if they are the greatest company ever... or if something has gone terribly horribly wrong.

(Sent it in on June 8, They received it on the 10th, Got email saying it was repaired on the 17th)

Bryan Mitchell · June 18th, 2005, 04:17 PM

As Of Date 06/17/05

Status Location: SHIPPING
Reason: READY

Notes REPAIRED & CHECKED

No tracking number yet... don't know if they're going to give me one, but it would be nice. It cost me $50 to send it to them by all their rules (bubble wrap, inssurance, etc)... but they only charge $20 for return shipping. I'm eager to see how they end up sending it back to me.

Maybe they get bulk discount since they are a business?

May 29th, 2005, 04:39 AM	#1
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	MACK warranty, using one! Alright, so it seemed clear to me that in a sense MACK is a scam. The stores up sell you on them knowing that 95% of the people are never going to use them (and thus make a ton of money selling them). Until now I've been pretty upset that I bought one, but now I'm going to try to use it. (Yes, I bought my camrea at a place I wish I hadn't. B&H all the way ever since, though!) Does anyone have any experience with USING their MACK? It seems kind of shady, being that you have to send them $20 (but I guess that's return shipping) and the fact that it takes 4-6 weeks. (They obviously know that any person buying an XL1s is likely never going to have 4-6 weeks of not needing it available to them.) But beyond all of their trying to get people to not use it... is using it legit? I don't want my XL1s camera body to disappear. By the way, I’m sending it in to fix the Firewire port (stopped working) and for tape head maintenance. I’m going to sell it to a friend of mine, and then grab an XL2. So to clarify… anyone have any experience with USING their MACK warranty? It's kind of funny... kind of sad, that I have to word it that way. Thanks, Bryan

June 5th, 2005, 08:20 AM	#6
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	Did you buy the consumer or professional warranty? __________________ You are either growing or dying.

June 14th, 2005, 02:16 PM	#13
Pete Wilie Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 331	Appears that few are using one... It would appear by the lack of response to this thread that few people have purchased Mack warranties. I just bought a PD170 and was thinking about buying a Mack warranty for it. But now, I'm not sure that's a wise investment. The PD170 is a very reliable, rugged camera by all reports. Unlike the Canon cameras, I've not seen any problems reported with the tape drive mechanism. If I do have a problem, I'm not sure I can tolerate being without the camera for 4-6 weeks, or more. Seems unreasonable amount of time for a repair. If anyone has any positive experience with Mack I'd sure love to hear about it. Please post your experience.

June 5th, 2005, 04:18 AM	#4
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	I called them, and suprisingly, they were very nice on the phone! Almost too nice... The wait to get my camera back is going to suck, but at least now I think it will come back to me repaired. Firewire Fix + Tape Head maintenence.

June 9th, 2005, 03:59 PM	#8
Jacob Walker Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Enumclaw, WA Posts: 69	Hey Bryan, I have successfully sent in my xl1s for a blown firewire port and it came back fine. They seemed a little shady when I called them at first, cause I wanted to make sure they had record of my warranty when I first registered. They didn’t seem to have record but said to send it with my card. It took a total of 4 weeks to get it back. I called them like every week, and on the second week they said they had to send it to the canon factory service in Illinois (I sent the camera to their shop in New Jersey) So week four comes and I call them to check up, and the lady says it’ll be like another 3 weeks. After displaying my disgust, (I wasn’t that mad just wanted my camera) she said they could ship it out cause it was a “Prosumer Camera”. And that’s it, it came back fine and in working order. Jacob

June 10th, 2005, 10:30 AM	#10
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	This e-mail is to inform you that your equipment listed above has been received in our facility. We will notify you via e-mail about the status of your equipment. SWEET!!!!

June 18th, 2005, 04:17 PM	#15
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	As Of Date 06/17/05 Status Location: SHIPPING Reason: READY Notes REPAIRED & CHECKED No tracking number yet... don't know if they're going to give me one, but it would be nice. It cost me $50 to send it to them by all their rules (bubble wrap, inssurance, etc)... but they only charge $20 for return shipping. I'm eager to see how they end up sending it back to me. Maybe they get bulk discount since they are a business?