ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

My new camera has a one year warranty. Seems kinda short for a complex hybrid of mechanical and computer gear, but that seems common. Has anyone bought a squaretrade extended warranty for their camera? Has anyone bought one from another provider?
Who thinks it's a waste of money?
Who thinks it's important?

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

At one time or another I have occasionally brought a square trade or other warranty. This is not only for couple of cameras I have, but also for a couple of computers. Bottom line is I have never once used an extended warranty for service, ever, and all the products I've ever purchased that would have been eligible for such a warranty never had any difficulties of any kind until after even the extended warranty would have ended anyway. Perhaps I'm just lucky. I know some people who take advantage of the extended warranties, but I'm guessing the cost of such a warranty purchased for multiple products is probably much higher than the repair costs for any products that failed. I have four Canon DSLRs, the oldest of which I purchased in 2009. They are all actively used and the newest one is almost 2 years old. Not one of them has had the need for a functional repair yet.

Of course, your mileage may vary. When you buy insurance of any kind, the insurance company is betting you won't need it, you're betting you will. Sometimes you "win" and you'll need it, but most of the time the insurance company wins and you never use it, which is how they stay in business and make a profit. It comes down to a personal decision on how you like to manage risk. But, as a general rule, I'm guessing most people here will tell you to forget about it. However, if your product fails right after the manufacturer's warranty expires, please don't blame us.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Generally speaking, if something goes wrong it will be in the first year. I have never purchased an extended warranty and can't recall being sorry for that decision. (knock, knock)

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I've never purchased an extended warranty for anything - cameras, appliances, cars - and have never had problems which would have called for their use.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have never used an extended warranty to cover past one year, and my two DSLR cameras are still operating after the one year manufacturer's warranty. One Nikon point and shoot camera failed on me after 6 years. I replaced it with a new one. Hopefully I can get another 6 years out of it. I do recommend insurance for loss or theft though.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Most consumer advocates say they aren't worth the money, but even knowing that, I have bought some if they seem reasonably priced. But I've never had to use one.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Normally I don't bother with extended warranties, but I recently bought an old video camera on ebay - ours died and we have miniDV tapes to transfer to other formats - , so I did get the squaretrade warranty. Way cheaper than any other approach if it fails before we have transferred the tapes to some other medium.

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

Well folks, most hoggers say nay and I agree. I don' need no stinking Xwarranty! Thanks as always for you imput!

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I bought the extended warranty direct fro,m Nikon when I bought my camera.

I bought a 2000 watt power inverter and bought the squaretrade extra year.
well a little over a year the thing stopped working . Took it back to the store. They called square trade and boy did they give me and the store a hard time.
after 20 minutes on the phone, the store manager went out on the floor , handed me a new inverter and off I went.
when I left he was talking to his supervisor from the chains main office telling them of the problems the just had.

Had it not been for the store manager I might still be on the phone.
since then I dont buy the extra W

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Is your spellchecker still under warranty?

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

Reputable warranty provider with long track record of good service.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I take what come with the Item

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've never had occasion to use a camera warranty, and I'm talking since about 1970. Almost every day I receive email and postal mail trying to see me a warranty on something I own. It's big business, and there are lots of exclusions in those warranties. A friend bought an extended warranty on his car. When he tried to use it, "I'm sorry, but that isn't covered." On the other hand, many members here have bought them and used them.

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

Purchased a new 07 Toyota pick-up and extended warranty and one year later the rear axle was bad . They replaced it at no charge and gave me a new car to drive while repairs were being done. The invoice was 3500$ and taken care by the dealer.

whitewolfowner

Depends on what you are buying and if it is worth it to you. Some have to have it to sleep at night; others do not.