Would you buy an extended warranty for a digital camera?

[Deja Q]

$30 for 2 years or $50 for 3 years?

I finally found a decent 7mp camera, all things considered, and given its compact nature it might be a good thing to have.

Or do you dislike the concept in general? (My Sony Mavica lasted just about 3 years before the CD mechanism started failing, but for any piece of technology, anything is possible...)

Thx!

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I have a Mavica...

What do you mean by "failing" -- just curious. Occasionally, mine has started doing a little "file error" thing and not recording for some reason, but then the next shot will be fine. I've thought maybe I just turned the camera off too quick or something before it was done doing what it does.

[Deja Q]

2. Slow to write to CD; often gives error messages when writing...

happens on many CDs, so it's not just one "bad apple".

I lost a few pics of Duluth (TIFF uncompressed ones :cry: ) because of it.

[lakemonster11]

3. I probably would, at the prices you listed.

Does it cover repair and replacement or what?

[NV Whino]

4. I usually don't buy extended warranties on anything, but

I did buy one for my Nikon D100. The technology was still new at the time and some of the early ones had problems. At this point, I probably wouldn't. At least with Nikon.

[FloridaPat]

5. I don't usually by extended warranties either, but I bought on for my

Nikon D70. My cameras go a lot of places and do a lot of work. The price was reasonable considering the price of the camera. Plus I've gone through 5 computers in the last 10 years.

[burythehatchet]

6. I wold only offer to you the following information

the insurance companies that finance extended warranty programs underwrite to an extremely low loss ratio. I have seen as low as 5%. That means they pay losses equivalent to 5% of premiums collected. Its nowhere near the 70% target loss ratio for property/casualty insurance.

[NV Whino]

7. delete, dupe

[bvar22]

8. Good thread.

I usually avoid the "extended warranty" based on several assumptions.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

1)The Manufacturer already covers their products with a "Fix or Replace" warranty for 1 year.

2) Large Retail Outlets have a 30Day "Hardware Return" policy (no questions) 10% "restocking fee". I can usually tell if a product is "SOLID" in the first 30 days, and have returned several items during this window because I felt they were "WEAK". I was willing to eat the Restocking Fee. Mail Order houses also MUST take a return "no questions" during the 1st 30 days (or longer?). Restocking fees will vary depending on the House.

3)After 2 years, most Hi-Tech gadgets will be hopelessly obsolete, and not worth the aggravation of repair.

I usually purchase my Hi Tech stuff with the assumption of a "Two Year Useful Life". Is it worth the price of the "Extended Warranty" to cover it during the "risk exposure" after the manufacturers coverage runs out?

I have made several exceptions:
The "Extended Warranty" on my Toshiba Notebook specified a "Screen Replacement" if 1 pixel failed. The Manufacturer wanted 7 failed pixels before replacement. Pixel Failure is (was) a notorious weak spot in Notebook computers (better now).

Some Hi-Tech gadgets continue to give perfect service long after the 2-Year "Useful Life" window. (Sony Hi8 Video Cam, Dell Dimension 4300 Desktop) I am grateful for their durability, but consider it "Lagniappe".

[mtnsnake]

9. I wouldn't. By the time it comes into affect you'll have gotten

your money's worth, unless were talking something super expensive like a thousand dollar camera or something.

I just go by the original one year warranty that comes with it and anything after that I'm willing to gamble. I think if something is going to go wrong with it, it'll usually happen within the first few months....like if you get a lemon.

I can't remember anything where I've ever bought an extended warranty.