planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I'm considering a used a99ii from an uber-reputable NYC-based entity to replace my a77 and wondering about getting an extended warranty in case something happens. Ever need to use one or is it generally a waste of money? An a9 is out of the question, financially speaking and I'd rather not have to buy an adapter to use my lenses on an e-mount (17-50 2.8, 105 macro 2.8, 70-300 4.5-5.6 and 150-600 g2)

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Extended warranties are generally a waste of money. You're betting the seller the product will fail, and he's betting it won't. The seller has the benefit of a history of such events - you don't. If you can't afford to replace the product, then maybe get the warranty. If you can afford to, don't get it. Self-insure.

Then, there's the separate issue of whether the extended warranty will actually pay off if you need it to. The seller may be buying the coverage through a third party, and the seller may not be able to control whether the third party will choose to blame you for the failure.

ELNikkor

I'm always leery of extended warranties, maybe because I'm always getting phone calls from scammers trying to sign me up for an extended warranty on my cars.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

For most things I don’t do the extended warranty, but for cameras and lenses I use in my kayak I usually get a 5 year drop/spill warranty that covers any damage and not just manufacturer defects.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I never purchase them.
Statistically, if a manufacturer is good and has good quality control, any problems will show up in the warranty period. Just don't use it only three times within the warranty period.

I've never dropped/spilled any device, yet...

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Or if the third party is still in business when the time comes. I bought my last extended warranty decades ago. When the product failed, I discovered the company had gone out of business and taken my money with them. My guess is that they used my money to help them open up under a different name.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

No, they use the money to pay for things that break, IF they break.
If nothing breaks, all profit.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I do not have specific information around extended warranties for photographic equipment. No statistics around how often claims are made, how reliably they are paid, and how good repairs or replacements end up being.

But...a number of years ago, I had a friend who owned a stereo syore. He sold everything from entry level equipment to some relatively esoteric stuff. He also had me help improve his operation by implementing good industrial engineering principles where they made sense.

He decided to offer extended service agreements covering equipment that he sold. This was a product, just like the hardware that he sold. As I recall, he kept just about two thirds of the purchase price for those agreements. That much money never left his store. So for him, the whole thing was primarily a "retail price adjustment." There were some very strict limitations on how a claim could be filed and where repairs could be made. The provider was betting on the purchaser moving away from the area or losing the documentation before any claim could be filed.

So...my suggestion would be to read and understand the coverage and limitations carefully before committing the money.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I've rarely bought extended warranties for anything. Sometimes they paid for themselves, but mostly not The product in question is sold by B&H, from which I've bought several things from before. If it was something totally electronic I might not consider it, but my a77 has had shutter issues. Unit replaced once and it still gets caught up at 1/2,000 plus shutter speed - blank black space across upper 1/3 or so of image. The a99ii is probably a bit more robust, though. Maybe I could try to get B&H to through in the coverage for free :) Below is an example of what my a77 does (was hoping I didn't delete every pic this happens with)...just checked data. This was shot a 1/1,600.

As shot (SOOC)

(Download)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I haven’t either, but shooting from a kayak has its hazards.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yes it does.
Since I don't want to go through the hassle of replacing a camera, I would either keep it in a dry bag and be VERY careful using it, or get a water-proof bridge camera.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I do have a waterproof Fuji P&S and a weathersealed Fuji super zoom bridge camera, but they don’t have the same IQ. I do keep the Panasonic G9 in a dry bag while I paddle and take it out to shoot. I also bought on if those Outex Silicone covers a few months back. It’ll allow me to use the 75-300mm fully extended. I just have to practice with it, accessing focus points and BBF while trying to look through that back glass.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Ever notice when you buy,, well just about anything, from $10.00 toasters to lawn mowers, how anxious the merchants are to sell you an extended warranty? They have it down to a science. They know, based on algorithmic info the probable fail dates of anything you can think of. Kinda the reason State Farm wants to save me money on my vehicles by adding homeowners insurance to my policy.

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

Years ago I bought a washer and dryer. Salesman tried to sell me an extended warranty.
In almost 20 years that I had the appliances the money I did not spend would of paid for 3 spare washers and dryers. I spend about $50 in parts during the 20 years to keep them going!