Hi, everyone. I am about to get a new camera, and I am still a bit on the fence on whether I should get extended warranty on it or not. I had my camera for 4 years, and never had a problem... but there is always that big WHAT IF....

What are your thoughts? How many of you actually find it useful?

Thanks,
Elena

Any takers?

With return/exchange policies as good as they are in most places, I do not purchase the extended warranty except on laptops. Personally think it's an unnecessary cost. Just my 2 cents.

rowena, thanks.

Maybe it will help if I add that I am looking to buy from B&H and their warranty offers following:

"The SAGEMAX Protection Plan covers your camera from failures due to normal wear-and-tear, defect in material and/or workmanship, mechanical and/or electrical breakdowns, as well as accidental damage from handling."

The last part sounds most enticing, of course.

I don't know, that sounds too good to be true. Accidental damage? What kind of damage? I think that would depend on the person making the call whether they want to honor it or not? How much is this insurance and for what camera? If you don't mind me asking.

It is a 3 year warranty on 40D body. The cost is $166 USD. I was ensured that if I were to drop my camera (ground or water ), if it is not fixable, it would be replaced... That is the reason I am swaying a bit, because normally I find extended warranties useless.

Will be replaced or FIXED right? Then $166 is nothing. That's if on the warranty it really states that and not just hearsay.

Yep, I read it on B&H site and then spoke with one of their sales people that is going to be fixed or replaced if dropped, ect.... OK, I guess, since you are the only one helping me make this decision (for which I am grateful ) I will probably go ahead and get it.

Edit: Just an FYI for anyone who might want to know: I spoke with B&H rep again, and they informed me that this type of coverage is something that they just started to offer in the beginning of the year, and they are excited about it... As for me, I am getting that extra coverage.


Elena

Not sure if I'm too late here, but $166 over a three year period (or $55/yr.) is to me a very small price to pay for such a potentially large payout in terms of replacing and/or fixing your camera body. Even if they only allow one replacement in that three year period (curious: did they say whether or not there's a limit on how many times the camera can be replaced?), that no-cost replacement would more than pay for the initial cost of the warranty.

And if you never use the extended warranty? To me it's still a small price to pay for covering that big "WHAT IF" for those three years.

Just my two cents. Enjoy the new camera!

I ended up getting the warranty, because it seems that it is worth it. They said that if anything happens to the camera, they will try to get it fixed, and if that does not work, they will basically give you $$$ for it, so you can buy something else. As I mentioned before, it is something they just started to offer this year.

Kewl Elena! I think it's a good buy, like insurance. Let us know how you like the 40D!

I already know I am going like it a lot... I actually went to a camera store last weekend and tried 40D and 5D. I know that it might sound weird to all the 5D users, but I prefer 40D. There is something about it that just felt right. I will make sure to get lenses that are usable on full-frame, though, just in case if I ever decide to upgrade.

That sounds like a pretty good deal. I might have to look into that on my next camera purchase. If it's anything like Best Buy's warranty, it'll rock!

First let me say, I love B&H, but I have never bought an extended warranty on any product that I have bought from them over a twenty year period. Any type of insurance is a good deal IF you need to use it...

Consumer reports has always said that extended warranties are not worth it. This blog entry says it all to me.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/shopping/...t_the_pitc.html


Frank

I agree for the most part that extended warranties are useless, except this one covers accidental damages. I am not affraid that the camera might break--I have had a Canon camera for 4 years and never had a problem, but shooting weddings, I am affraid I might drop it, or some freak accident might happen, that is the reason I want extra coverage.