To buy now or to wait

[DevinWho]

So summer ends in a little over 2 weeks. I was planning to order an HV20 from amazon ($720 total), then I recalled bestbuys price match policy. They guarantee to price match 110% correct? Well currently on their site, the hv30 is $820. So if I were to go into the store and price match it, it would be dropped to $738 correct?

So heres my problem, I have just enough for the camera, but not enough to tag on a warranty. 2 of my friends (who are currently hv20 owners) don't have warranties which makes it tempting since all they really use is cleaning cassettes and don't repeatedly use the same tapes, thus they are content. Me, I'm still getting in the know how of really taking care of cameras. Ive been studying and such but still feel id want the safety net. I don't have enough cash left over for a cleaning cassette either. So should I just wait an extra month until I have more cash and grab it with the warranty and such (which also means the price could go back up) or do I splurge and get it while the gettings good?

[Sirocco]

Get it now! You can always borrow the cleaning tape from your friends. This is summer you want to play with it!

[PadawanGeek]

I would say learn to take care of your equipment so that you don't need an extended warranty. But still wait. Wait untill you have enough money to buy the camera, tapes, head cleaners, lens hood, mic, etc.

[DevinWho]

Hmmm, I do need a new set of tapes, firewire cable, head cleaners, etc. Anyone have any links to affordable equipment?

Normally I get the 4 year warranty which is about $100 extra but that was back when I was careless. With this I plan to really take care of it. I already have a camera bag I used to use with my old cam. How much would a 1-2 year warranty cost?

[previdman]

.....I was planning to order an HV20 from amazon ($720 total)....... if I were to go into the store and price match it, it would be dropped to $738 ...
I don't have enough cash left over for a cleaning cassette either. So should I just wait an extra month until I have more cash and grab it with the warranty and such (which also means the price could go back up) or do I splurge and get it while the gettings good?

Are you certain this is even a good move for you, considering your financial circumstances and all? You do know the camera doesn't come with a blank tape or SD card, don't you? How will you afford those items?

And the prices you're seeing for an HV20 are more like I'd be considering for a new HV30. Are you sure you want to pay that much for a discontinued, year old model?

Just curious, as I have one unopened, new in box HV30 left. PM me if interested and we can talk.

[DevinWho]

Are you certain this is even a good move for you, considering your financial circumstances and all? You do know the camera doesn't come with a blank tape or SD card, don't you? How will you afford those items?

And the prices you're seeing for an HV20 are more like I'd be considering for a new HV30. Are you sure you want to pay that much for a discontinued, year old model?

Just curious, as I have one unopened, new in box HV30 left. PM me if interested and we can talk.

Well the HV20's been taken out of the picture. Im set on using the pricematch to get the cam. One of the big reasons im trying to get it from bestbuy is its store convience incase I need repairs. However, I am planning to get the main things first, then the other things following. So first im gonna grab a new set of tapes and firewire cable. if I get a warrenty, the cleaning cassette can wait for 3rd

[previdman]

One of the big reasons im trying to get it from bestbuy is its store convience incase I need repairs. ...

Don't let the BB local service be too big of a benefit for you. In many opinions, BB is the last place to have your cam serviced. Better to send it directly to Canon if need arises.

On a budget as tight as yours, did you factor in the sales tax?

And will BB pricematch an online retailer price?

Just wondering.

[elantric]

If you are on a budget - get the Canon Factory Refurb HV20 from TigerDirect for $570 - no tax -put the rest towards spare battery, car charger,case,uv filter.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...333&CatId=3357

[DevinWho]

Hmmm my biggest issue is the servicing. But hmmm, I didn't look into sending it into canon. How much would servicing it directly there cost? also isnt getting refurbished products risky?

EDIT:
After viewing around the forum a bit, warranties tend to be frowned on. So with my case, and if I get a cleaning cassette, I should be set if i skip out on it correct? (Including I avoid wet/moist environments, don't touch the lens or drop it, and keep it in my case)

[d1g1t]

Quality of refurbs depends on who is doing the refurb. I buy refurb gear from the Apple web site whenever I can and have never had a problem. But some companies take a demo item, clean it up a bit, put it in a box and call it refurb. I had a refurbished Palm Lifedrive that was nothing but problems. If it hasn't been back to the manufacturer, I would stay away.

As for the warranty, it might be worthwhile on camcorders. For most things, no, but camcorders have hundreds of parts. My brother works for Future Shop, which is a Canadian chain owned (now) by Best Buy. Yes, he is one of those guys that pushes the extended warranty on everything he sells. To his friends and family, however, he admits that it really isn't worth it. But when I bought my HV20, he convinced me to get the warranty.

My HV20 flaked out on me just two weeks ago, a month past the 1 year from Canon. So, it is off to the 3rd party repair place. If they can't fix it, I get a new one. So, in my case, the extended warranty was worth it.

Who woulda guessed?

[d1g1t]

Normally I get the 4 year warranty which is about $100 extra but that was back when I was careless. With this I plan to really take care of it. I already have a camera bag I used to use with my old cam. How much would a 1-2 year warranty cost?

If you are going to use it a lot, I would only extend the warranty a year or two, not longer. You'll be upgrading in 3 years.

[DevinWho]

Seeing as to how i've never serviced my camera except at bestbuy before. Can someone break down to me the process of the 3rd party service? I'm considering getting the tiger direct hv20. Any and all words of caution and tips are welcome

[DevinWho]

Just ordered my HV20 along with a cleaning cassette and about to get a firewire and 5 pack of tapes. All for less than $620

[DevinWho]

Hmmm Okay I just realized when I ordered the cleaning cassette, i accidentally chose a random one and got the DDS Cleaning Cartridge. Now that I look at it. Is that compatible with the HV20? Im still learning alot and if its not, can someone point me to a good cleaning cassette? I need to fix this issue before it arrives

[elantric]

DDS Cleaning Cartridge is a DAT tape type uses for SCSI tape Back up

You need a minDV cleaning tape

But frankly - I have seen more damage done to camcorders due to mis-use of these "cleaning cassettes"

I don't recommend them for use by people who are untrained - use quality tapes instead.

[DevinWho]

Quality tapes? as in? Come on people! Links Links!
haha

Okay I think I fixed the issue. I chose the return option and when it arrives to my home im gonna deny the item so that its returned

[elantric]

search

http://www.hv20.com/search.php

[dhumphre]

FYI: I don't think Best Buy price matches online retailers, only other local retailers. I know that is the case for Circuit City.

[DevinWho]

Okay everything was ordered but now I just saw that Dell Deal for $612. $40 more than what I paid for my Refurbed HV20. I'm wondering, would it be smart to cancel my order of the HV20, get my money back then upgrade to this 30? (nvm this part, just answer the part below)

Anyone know if TigerDirect are jerks when it comes to returns? I was told I can just choose return on the website and deny the shipment when it reaches me

[previdman]

Tiger Direct has always been very reputable for me...
which is more than I can say abt your planned buyers remorse.

Why punish a retailer for your lack of due diligence? (and morals, btw.)

I mean you were very happy with their price, enough so to buy it.

I dunno... just me, I guess. You probably won't agree.

[hazemabdulrab]

he can always return it.,.the tape

[DevinWho]

Tiger Direct has always been very reputable for me...
which is more than I can say abt your planned buyers remorse.

Why punish a retailer for your lack of due diligence? (and morals, btw.)

I mean you were very happy with their price, enough so to buy it.

I dunno... just me, I guess. You probably won't agree.

Please don't question my morals. Normally I find these kind of processes really difficult and rather not go through it. But then I have to suck it up and get more bang for my buck

Compare a Refurbed HV20 to a Brand New HV30. With only a $40 difference, which would you get?

Plus itd be a smarter deal since theres Dell stores in this area for me to go to incase I need assistance, no such tiger direct stores exist out here. Anyways thats out the window.

And yes I'm returning the tape but not the camera.

[previdman]

Please don't question my morals. ... Compare a Refurbed HV20 to a Brand New HV30. With only a $40 difference, which would you get?

Plus itd be a smarted deal since theres Dell stores in this area for me to go to incase I need assistance, no such tiger direct stores exist out here.

I'm not the one calling your morals into question here, you're doing a perfectly fine job without me.

It's not a question of "With only a $40 difference..." as you've already placed your order and will simply reject the shipment when it arrives.

Or does that whole thing somehow slip right by you?

And now you try and justify your actions by saying buying from Dell would be smarter because Tiger Direct doesn't have a store in your town. Like you didn't know that beforehand? Come on guy. Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

Just admit it. You f**k'd up and now you want somebody else to pay for your $40 mistake. That tells me if the price were high enough, you'd probably sell your own mother.

Or to put it another way: We know what you are, now all we have to do is settle on a price.

Like I said, I'm not the one questioning your morals especially if you'll sell them out for only $40.

Be a man, bucko. A man's word is his bond, even if it hurts. You want to live in a man's world, start acting like it.

[fotoman]

amen previdman, I like your style...

[DevinWho]

I'm sorry if I've offended you previdman but It was merely this is a big investment for me currently and I want to make sure I seize good opportunities when they are presented. I mean no harm to tiger direct, and no offense to anyone on this board.

Returning a shipment could be a minor inconvenience to the post office and a loss of sell from Tiger, but accepting something that could simply break down on me in a few days if it didn't check out properly could be a long term hassle on my part.

Once again If I've done something to offend you, I apologize and please don't take any of these things offensively. I'm just a 17 year old looking to better himself in independent film and trying to make sure his investment is a beneficial one. Also, please don't think of me as a 'snake' for this because really this is the first time I'm really stepping out and trying to make sure I don't just Settle. I'm in no way the type to use people as stepping stones. And if you really knew who I was outside of this post, you'd see my Morals lie in the correct place. Good day sir.

(Oops forgot. The bottom part of my post that set all this off. The return was regarding the tape which was the wrong type, not the camera because the coupon had expired in the first place thus bringing the price back up.)