Can anyone share Extended Warranty experiences / advice?

[eastbluffs]

Repairtech, Mack?

I have a new Canon 20D and want a 5 year warranty. Can anyone share actual experiences you know about or have had regarding collecting on these warranties?

I purchased my camera 3 weeks ago and many of them have a 30 day registration limitation so I can't overresearch this as I normally do.

Also; the prices seem to vary pretty widely for the same thing. Not sure why.

What's your vote and tips?

[timmciglobal]

Warentee's rarly ever cover anything you would actually have an issue with on camera has been my experience.

Save the money put it in bank and just let canon fix it if they ever need to. Taking better care of your equipment is the best warentee.

Tim

[Warin]

Extended warranties are great, for what they are.

They (generally) do not cover things like physical abuse and liquid damage, two of the more common mishaps for electronic product. I had to patiently explain to a customer that the crushed LCD on the back of the DSC-W1, which was damaged in a drop, was not covered either under Sony's warranty or our extended warranty. However, the 18 month old Panasonic that displaued an error message after every shot was covered, because it was not abuse.

I like the idea of an extended warranty on a digital SLR, because the consumer grade cameras seem to have lower shutter lives, often one that can easily be reached in less than the five years that a warranty will cover.

[eastbluffs]

Your advice is well taken. However; I have had 2 digitals fail with "Error Codes", the second ment throwing away my $800 purchase since it was obsolete. Its worth $350 or so for me to cover against that for 5 years on my new $1400 purchase but also don't want to just hand my money over for nothing, if they have a rep for eluding their end.

That said; I am wondering if someone has actually experienced RepairTech (or Mack) standing up to their obligation, or not? Are they sticklers for blaming it on dust, probable environmental exposure, etc, or do they take the "innocent until proven guilty" view?

Thanks so much for your time answering.

[eastbluffs]

In closing; purchased 3 year Mack warranty today from B & H for $79. Considerably cheaper (for same SKU) than several other places. B & H has a good reputation too. Figured for the price its nearly free (for a $1300 camera) and in all likelyhood, if it should break there's a 50-50 chance they'll honor it. Chose Mack because its cheaper.