Extended Warranty or not?

[mhuth]

I bought an HV20 last month and decided not to get the extended warranty through Amazon, since it didn't look very good.

I bought a JVC DV from BB 7 years ago and did get the warranty, and was pleased that I did, as I needed the DV drive replaced. That was a notorious problem with the JVCs. I also got it for the Canon Elura a couple of years later, and have not yet used it alothough I though I was going to need it when the DV drive stop accepting tapes. I put the camera aside for a while, and the next time I tried it, the driver worked and has been working ever since.

The HV20 does have that mechanical nightmare as well. That's the one piece that I am not confident will fail within the 1 year manufacturer's warranty, due to my own limited history (also had a DAT deck go out - it also has a minature helical scan tape drive.

The reason these devices are so expensive to fix is that they require considerable skill to take apart, replace the bad board (an expensive assembly) and then get it back together without causing some other problem.

But if you get a second year from the credit card, then it is better.

Beware the renters or home owners insurance. Those policies may well have the $500 deductible, which means you can just about buy a new camera before the insurance will pay anything. You can get different policies for work/professional equipment, but they cost considerably more than the add-ons to homeowners insurance.

[mattias]

Beware the renters or home owners insurance. Those policies may well have the $500 deductible

mine is $150, fair enough. my company owns my hv20 though, or well the bank does through a leasing contract, but whatever, my company insurance has a $1000 deductible so it's pretty useless unless i drop the camera on the computer so they both fall on the mixer...

/matt

[cornreaper]

I just purchased a 4 year Mack warranty from an authorized dealer for $45, which was on sale from $69. I talked to the guy on the phone for about 15 minutes, and from what he told me you don't have to pack up your cam and send it off to New Jersey if it malfunctions; Mack will try to locate a local authorized service centre. If one isn't reasonably nearby, you can go to one of your choice, and then you pay up-front for reimbursement later. All-in-all, I don't think you can really go wrong for that price.

[gasolinecans691]

with B&H's sagemax plan, does it have to be purchased on the same day as the camcorder or can u buy it afterwards?

[bdipert]

Folks, do you recommend buying the optional Savemax extended warranty from B&H along with the HV30? Terms:
3-Year Protection Plan : $ 143.99
5-Year Protection Plan : $ 287.98
Thanks in advance!

[RScottyL]

Folks, do you recommend buying the optional Savemax extended warranty from B&H along with the HV30? Terms:
3-Year Protection Plan : $ 143.99
5-Year Protection Plan : $ 287.98
Thanks in advance!

That seems pretty pricey for a warranty.

As cornreaper mentioned, get more information on the MACK warranties if you actually want an extended warranty:

MACK WARRANTY - CAMCORDER/VIDEO - PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL USE. Below are the Mack Warranty options for video cameras and camcorders, for both PROFESSIONAL use and PERSONAL use:

1. 2 Year Video Camera under $1000 - $50
2. 2 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $5000 - $94
3. 2 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $10,000 - $163
4. 2 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $15,000 - $481
5. 4 Year Video Camera under $500 - $40
6. 4 Year Video Camera under $1200 - $70
7. 4 Year Video Camera under $5000 - $135
8. 4 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $5000 - $180
9. 4 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $8000 - $270
10. 4 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $10,000 - $310
11. 4 Year PROFESSIONAL Video Camera under $15,000 - $650

Mack Warranties

[markone]

Most extended warranties are just a profit center for the store or sales person, most of the time they are not used and most have various fine print disclaimers that make the basically useless. I take my chances, most electronic failures will happen in the first few weeks, generally covered by the manufacturer... and as mentioned earlier, credit card companies also can help you with awarranty issue.

Mark Carey
www.markoneHD.com

[Eclipse]

I've purchased an extended warranty (4 yrs, Repairtech, for $100).
I'd like to know how reputable Repairtech is. I haven't found many review sources for this company. I was thinking long about whether I should cancel the extended warranty or not. The conditions sound actually good: In case of defects, you can bring the cam to the next service center listed at the homepage, so that you don't have to send it to New Jersey. The more important issue for me is the international coverage, meaning that if you reside overseas, Repairtech says it will cover repairs overseas. As far as the question where (service centers), I've called them and they told me on telephone that they will cover a repair made by authorized Canon service center overseas...
I haven't canceled my extended warranty at the end, because the international coverage is important since I'm actually living in Europe and spend sometimes months in the US. Also, my last camcorder had a defect outside the regular warranty, which did cost me almost 3x the price of the extended warranty. I don't want to experience that again...
Anyone having experiences with Repairtech?

[tbird2340]

I just bought an HV20 today from CC.. I *may* get a warranty from Mack. I got an extended warranty through them on my Sony HDTV..

I have had good experience with them. My tv started to develop a flicker.. I contacted them who in turn gave me my closest "Authorized Sony Service Center". It was only about 5 miles away..

I setup an appt with them and they said over the phone that they charge just to come look at the TV. I had to tell Mack that and then they got in contact with the service center to verify..

That's basically all I had to do. They came out, it ended up being the bulb which they replaced right there.. I didn't pay for anything and it was fixed lickedy split.

[stash]

I teach at a local school and always say to the students , What is really needed is a warranty that starts at 3 years. As most of you have already said normally a unit will fail within its warrany period anyway if it fails. Anyway I am interested in the HV30 since it's only 588 at B&H Photo. I have a Sony HC62 Mini DV but it's not HD. I am concerned about the 3 month warranty on the video head on the Canon HV30?--Any worries?

Thanks

Stash

[bucklawrence]

I bought my Mack 4-year policy 29 days after buying my HV-20 from B&H. I didn't even register it until after it had broken (at 15 months, it failed to turn off). I had experienced their service by cleaning my older Canon DV camera every year for it's 4 year life. The return shipping is only $20. I got the Sagemax on my 40D just because B&H doesn't carry Mack anymore. Different coverages (no cleanings...) but that was only last month so I have no experience with their service.

[kb0wwp]

I follow a simple policy when it comes to insurance (an extended warranty is just another form of insurance):

"Insurance is to protect you from financial disaster, not financial inconvenience."

Yes, it would stink if my $600 camera died after two years, but it would not be a life-changing event. A better plan would be to open a savings account, and every time you purchase an item that was offered with an extended warranty - instead of buying that warranty, put the equivalent amount of cash in the savings account. You would very quickly build up a balance that would far exceed any repair or replacement costs.

[Hunterr]

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I couldn't find the answer. When does an extended warranty have to be purchased? What is the time span from date of purchase of the camera, to the date of purchase of the warranty.

I was considering buying this warranty, if I'm still "eligible" to purchase one.

Thanks,

-Hunter

[Gulfstream]

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I couldn't find the answer. When does an extended warranty have to be purchased? What is the time span from date of purchase of the camera, to the date of purchase of the warranty.

I was considering buying this warranty, if I'm still "eligible" to purchase one.

Thanks,

-Hunter

That is an in house product from B&H. it is marketed under the name SageMax. It has to be purchased within 30 days of purchase according to thier FAQ: http://www.sagemaxprotectionplan.com/FAQs.asp

[Chingatorz]

I just got an HV40 at B&H but didn't get the optional 3 year protection plan, which is $111.99, but now I'm thinking whether I should get it. I never purchase warranties, however this one is making me think twice because it's only 35 bucks a year.
What do you guys think?
Thanks!

Edit: Ok so I just realized I had changed some options and the posts were shown from newest to oldest, so I automatically went to the second page of this thread and thought oh man these are old posts. So now after reading the recent posts I have an idea of what to do. I'm not gonna get it, I figure if anything goes wrong, it will happen within the first year.

[kendunn]

I have purchased and had to use Square Trade before and I was happy. They just refunded me the cost of the item when it died (happened twice). The cost is also very reasonable and its 3 years and can get damage coverage as well.

[chipgallo]

Recently sent my HV20 to the service provider Sagemax said to. This camera, bought in November 2007, had missing audio for over 30 minutes on an ice skating shoot. They kept it several weeks and returned it with a note that something was resoldered. I am not convinced that the problem is resolved. There was missing audio on a 12 minute transfer to computer that I did after the repair. I retransferred the material and the 2nd time it had complete audio.

When I bought a new HV40 from B&H last week, I got a 3 year Sagemax plan again, for $95 (due to the $649 price). Between occasional repairs and the ongoing risk of droppage, I like the peace of mind. If I tried to use a savings account to store deferred extended warranty expenses, that money would be spent on some other toy. It's my way ...

[tehshanerator]

In addition, if anything is going to go wrong with your camera it's usually going to happen within the manufacturers warranty period.

According to Consumer Reports extended warranties are not recommend. They believe that if problems appear they usually do so within the regular warranty period.)

I teach at a local school and always say to the students , What is really needed is a warranty that starts at 3 years. As most of you have already said normally a unit will fail within its warrany period anyway if it fails.

Guys, if you've ever taken any statistics classes you should know that manufacturers base how long their warranties last for on standard deviations and how long the average product lasts. They want replace less than 5%, so in fact the warranty period is when problems are LEAST LIKELY TO OCCUR - sans the DOA camera or two. While you may have your own opinions on whether or not you should shell out the cash for an extended warranty, you should remember that a warranty period exists because that period is the length most cameras won't die...any more time and the chance that it'll break increases exponentially.

[Janke]

... and, those who sell extended warranties also know their statistics, i.e. they expect to make a profit.

So, as said, paying 10 to 20% of the price of a camera for a warranty, is it worth it? Will you be using the camera for the entire period, or will you upgrade to something else?

No, I don't buy warranties - but I do like the credit card "warranty extension" for some purchases.

[waverz]

I paid for this plan too. The firewire port on my HV20 is hosed and now it appears repairtechinc is looong gone.

I'm not really happy about this at all.

I've purchased an extended warranty (4 yrs, Repairtech, for $100).
I'd like to know how reputable Repairtech is. I haven't found many review sources for this company. I was thinking long about whether I should cancel the extended warranty or not. The conditions sound actually good: In case of defects, you can bring the cam to the next service center listed at the homepage, so that you don't have to send it to New Jersey. The more important issue for me is the international coverage, meaning that if you reside overseas, Repairtech says it will cover repairs overseas. As far as the question where (service centers), I've called them and they told me on telephone that they will cover a repair made by authorized Canon service center overseas...
I haven't canceled my extended warranty at the end, because the international coverage is important since I'm actually living in Europe and spend sometimes months in the US. Also, my last camcorder had a defect outside the regular warranty, which did cost me almost 3x the price of the extended warranty. I don't want to experience that again...
Anyone having experiences with Repairtech?

[Shigeta]

Hmm.. yeah. Sometimes it really bites you in the ass

[net]

Ever notice that the fine print/terms of many of these "accidental" plans say that it does not cover "consequential" damages?

When is an accident never a consequence of something?

[Bif]

I finally got around to insuring my gear. Contacted my State Farm agent (carries my auto, home, and a $1,000,000 "umbrella" liability policy) and asked about "scheduled" coverage on my photo/video gear. Gave him a "stack" of B&H and Amazon invoices plus a list showing serial numbers.

Cost is $1.70 per $100 valuation (annual premium of just over $100 covers a bit over $5000 of listed gear) and dang near everything is covered. If I drop my 7D on a sidewalk, if my T2i and two lenses are stolen, or gear is damaged in an auto accident then State Farm will write me a check for the amount on the purchase invoice(s).

Only events not covered are war, insurrection, riot, and "acts of god" (earthquake, that sort of thing).

You have to ask for "scheduled" coverage or a "personal items" policy, home owners or renters insurance never really covers more than $1000 valuation of "hobby" stuff.

[HelpMeIT]

I totally believe in them. I had a VX3 old Hi-8 3CCD camera. Was a killer cam in the day. Had a video I was shooting for a grand opening for a gas station. Well someone backed up really quick into the camera. Broke the backfocus. So could not do any zooms. Anyhow contacted Sony with the warranty I had and they replaced lens which they said cost almost as much as the camera. Like 2000 and since I had the extra coverage it did not cost my anything but shipping. Totally the extra warranty is worth it. Well some of the stuff I have done with cameras I want to have that extra coverage.

[socal]

i bought my hv40 from beach camera on ebay and then got the 4 year coverage from square trade for $79. so far i haven't had to use it but its nice to know i have it. i just hope they do what they say they will.