Who buys extended service plans?

08/16/2002 11:56:57 PM · #1

I work for Wolf Camera which has been bought by Ritz Camera in the last year. Our store offers an extened service plan to cover almost anything that can happen to your photogrphic equiptment with the exception of theft or fire. Basically if you can bring us anything from your camera with the serial number we will replace it or repair it. I am curious as to who and how many of you would pay for such a service.

08/17/2002 12:09:50 AM · #2

I bought the extended plan on my F707 from Best Buy... $59 for an extra two years of coverage...

08/17/2002 12:13:24 AM · #3

What dose your ESP cover, ours run a pretty penny and I would like to know if the consumer feels it is worth it. Our ESP covers almost anything.

08/17/2002 12:15:39 AM · #4

This one supposedly covers anything other than physical abuse... I have never had to use it before. It also covers replacement with a comparable model in the event that the camera can't be replaced...

Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di for Nikon

08/17/2002 12:17:43 AM · #5

so your coverage starts after the manufaturer warranty ends?

Maverick

Nikon D200

08/17/2002 12:21:16 AM · #6

I decided against the Best Buy extended warranty for my S30 and spent the money instead on a 128 MB CF card. I'd rather spend it on something I know I'll use, but I haven't yet been in a situation where I'd need to use the warranty so I may change my tune if something happens to my camera.

08/17/2002 12:21:55 AM · #7

Originally posted by Corey:
so your coverage starts after the manufaturer warranty ends?

I suppose so cause sony only has a 30 or 90 day warranty or something like that...

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/17/2002 12:29:18 AM · #8

So who of us would like to have a "no" fault warranty on their camera. Better explained as a warranty that covers whatever happens to your camera.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/17/2002 12:35:02 AM · #9

ESP's are for fools.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/17/2002 12:39:08 AM · #10

Originally posted by Zeissman:
ESP's are for fools.

So you only carry liability coverage on you car? With an esp you are covering all the strange things that can happen to your photographic equiptment.

Journey

Canon PowerShot G3

08/17/2002 01:27:04 AM · #11

Originally posted by Corey:
I work for Wolf Camera which has been bought by Ritz Camera in the last year. Our store offers an extened service plan to cover almost anything that can happen to your photogrphic equiptment with the exception of theft or fire. Basically if you can bring us anything from your camera with the serial number we will replace it or repair it. I am curious as to who and how many of you would pay for such a service.

Hmmmm, I take a lot of shots of a waterfall close to where I live. If I ever would slip on the rocks there and my camera falls into the waterfall would that be covered by your coverage? Let's say there were witnesses to the accident who were unrelated to me and in fact total strangers? If your coverage would cover this total loss, would I receive money so that I could use it towards buying another, perhaps much better, camera?

[hope you can't hear my brain think :)]

Gotcha

08/17/2002 01:51:26 AM · #12

Originally posted by Zeissman:
ESP's are for fools.

Guess I'm a fool.
I spent 178.00 for 5 year bumper to bumper after the Nikon manufacturer warranty ends.
As much money as I have invested in this camera, and the amount of use I expect to get in return.
this is a cheap price to pay for the peace of mind. This covers travel loss and damage as well. Worth every penny.

Niten

Canon EOS-20D

08/17/2002 01:54:17 AM · #13

ESPs are almost always a waste of money(unless you feel you are going to slip and drop something in a river). You cant compare car insurance to esp. If I destroy my camera I can go right a check for another one. It would be a bit harder to get another car. Do you buy ESP for your car? I know for a fact thats not smart.

Tim

connie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/17/2002 10:39:00 AM · #14

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
This one supposedly covers anything other than physical abuse... I have never had to use it before. It also covers replacement with a comparable model in the event that the camera can't be replaced...

I have had 2 cameras replaced by Best Buy in the past 4 years. I buy the 4 year plan because I use my digital camera everyday, and this last time my LCD screen was going out they let me upgrade to a better camera because they no longer serviced my camera. Best Buy is good :)

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/17/2002 10:49:16 AM · #15

I have heard good things about best buy, and for $59, i wasn't gonna complain about it..

drewmedia

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/17/2002 11:12:44 AM · #16

Corey,

I'd say it entirely depends on the terms of the ESP. Best Buy is just about the only place I'll consider adding an extra warranty to a purchase. The terms of their plan are excellent. That said, it's unlikely that I'd buy a camera from Best Buy since a) their selection isn't complete and b) I can probably get it for at least $100 less online.

Drew

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/17/2002 12:00:14 PM · #17

I considered buying my Sony F707 online for considerably less than I paid from best buy... the problem was that I couldn't get a straight answer from any of those vendors as to whether the cameras were gray market or not...

Niten

Canon EOS-20D

08/17/2002 12:22:34 PM · #18

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I considered buying my Sony F707 online for considerably less than I paid from best buy... the problem was that I couldn't get a straight answer from any of those vendors as to whether the cameras were gray market or not...

I wonder if you can call Sony and find out if they are grey market or not?

Tim

kevinswope

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

08/17/2002 01:13:34 PM · #19

I actually droped my sisters camera onto mine and broke the control display glass panel. I took it into comp usa where I bought my camera and they fixed it right there no problem. I paid $79.00 for my esp. It would have cost more than that to fix my camera. I guess your taking a chance either way. You might spend the extra money and never use it or you might not spend the extra money and need it. To me if im gonna spend $500. to $1500 on a camera whats an extra $50. to $100. for peice of mind that my camera will always be working.

floyd

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

08/17/2002 01:53:34 PM · #20

This is easy - buying a Canon S30 - no I wouldn't. But buying a Canon D60 - heck yes I would.

John