New Camera dilemma About This Page:

[lkmom]

I received some $$$ for my birthday and got myself a Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. I got it at Best Buy and purchased the extended warranty because I want to take it out on our boat. The warranty covers water and accidental damage. Here's my dilemma:

When I was at the store a nice couple were looking at the camera and told me that it was soooooooooooooooo much cheaper at Amazon.com, etc. I checked it out, and Amazon does offer a warranty, but it didnt seem to have great reviews. I could save about $97, but I don't know If I would have the same peace of mind.

Anyone ever purchase a camera rom Amazon? Any experiences? Or should I just enjoy my present to myself?

[cburke]

if it was me i would enjoy my present. peace of mind is the best way to go.

[home4us123]

I have never bought a camera off of Amazon but I have returned items before and never had a problem at all Money was back in acct. in no time.

[ChristyLeni]

I've never bought a camera from Amazon either, but I did do almost all my Christmas shopping there this year and I had no issues. I had one item I recieved damaged and another that just needed returned and I didn't have a problem with the refund or the exchange.

[iamgrumpy]

I would check before making the purchase that your buying this camera through Amazon itself and not a 3rd party seller such as 17th street photo, or another 3rd party seller who is using Amazon as their broker.

I bought an item through Amazon but it was actually through another company and when I had an issue I had to discuss at lengths with both amazon and the other company about returning it.

I would go with peace of mind and stick with Best Buy.

[shellybelly72]

I buy a lot from amazon.com, but you need to be careful with some of their 3rd party vendors...

Good Luck!

[Dave Marx]

I'm not a big fan of extended warranties in the first place. A two-year extended warranty rarely covers anything for the first year (when the manufacturer's warranty is in effect), so in essence, a two-year extended warranty is a one year policy. In most cases, cameras and small electronics lose resale value so quickly that the item will probably be worth less than the cost of the policy by the time you need to make a claim. When it comes to manufacturing defects in portable electronics, most show up soon after the item goes into service or long after the item is out of warranty (even the extended warranty).

Jennifer and I have purchased electronics and cameras (including Canon cameras) from Amazon many times, and are quite happy with our experiences. If there's a warranty problem during the original warranty period, Amazon isn't even involved - it goes back to the manufacturer. (We've had Canon cameras that needed repair, and we've been very satisfied with the service provided by Canon.) If you buy the extended warranty offered by Amazon, you still aren't dealing with Amazon - you'll send the camera to an independent repair facility. So, look into the company offering the policy, rather than Amazon. I suspect the dissatisfaction Amazon customers report would be true of any extended warranty, from nearly anyone - extended warranties rarely deliver the kind of value or protection the buyer thought he/she was getting.

I checked price at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com. Best Buy is selling the camera at or very near list price. You can buy the camera and the extended warranty offered by Amazon for about the same price as the camera alone at Best Buy. The price of Best Buy's basic two-year warranty is also more expensive than Amazon's. Best Buy's basic warranty (a Geek Squad warranty, which is a division of Best Buy) is essentially the same as Amazon's, by the way - you have to purchase an add-on option from Best Buy to get the accidental damage coverage you want (they don't show the price of that option at the web site, by the way).

The price of digital cameras keeps dropping, and the performance keeps improving. My $600 FujiFilm camera purchased about two years ago is very similar to the Canon you're looking at, which lists for $399 and sells for under $300 at some deep discounters. And of course, the Canon has newer, more advanced features, too. In short, by the time the old equipment gives up the ghost, it's usually time for a low-priced upgrade.

As far as water damage goes, take it from someone who destroyed his Nikon F and several lenses on a whitewater boating trip (I sold whitewater photography back in the day) - it's better to have a working camera when you need it, than to be able to replace it after you get home. If you're worried about water, I suggest an item like this at REI (they have several other models and manufacturers, by the way)- it's cheaper than that extended warranty.

[Gin7274]

That's good information Dave, thanks.

[lkmom]

Well, I , ummm, was really impatient and used the camera I bought from Best Buy. I am usually so against spending any more money than I have to so this is really out of character for me . I just really, really wanted to use it at my son's hockey game, and I never splurge on myself. I never pay retail, honest! I had fun with it, and I get to take some more pics tomorrow at basketball!

Thanks for all the advice. I will get one of those handy bags for when we're on the boat. I appreciate all the work you did.

I attached an action photo which I thought came out pretty good!!

[Cam22]

Enjoy the new camera!

[home4us123]

Nice Pic. Enjoy your new toy.

[alisonhinsley]

I brought my Canon Ixus from Amazon, 5 months later it stopped working ( the lens got stuck in the out position) I rang Amazon, the first Customer service advise , arranged from me for to get a replacement. All I had to do was return my camera. I realise the next day that I had no information as to where to send my camera so I spoke to anther adviser and he arranged for a courier to come and collect it and for a refund for the camera. I did explain to him that I had already spoken to an adviser the day before and he was arranging for a replacement to be sent.
Yep I got a a replacement camera and a refund. I didn't buy the orginal camera in the first place as it was a present

[shellybelly72]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

I'm not a big fan of extended warranties in the first place. A two-year extended warranty rarely covers anything for the first year (when the manufacturer's warranty is in effect), so in essence, a two-year extended warranty is a one year policy. In most cases, cameras and small electronics lose resale value so quickly that the item will probably be worth less than the cost of the policy by the time you need to make a claim. When it comes to manufacturing defects in portable electronics, most show up soon after the item goes into service or long after the item is out of warranty (even the extended warranty).

Jennifer and I have purchased electronics and cameras (including Canon cameras) from Amazon many times, and are quite happy with our experiences. If there's a warranty problem during the original warranty period, Amazon isn't even involved - it goes back to the manufacturer. (We've had Canon cameras that needed repair, and we've been very satisfied with the service provided by Canon.) If you buy the extended warranty offered by Amazon, you still aren't dealing with Amazon - you'll send the camera to an independent repair facility. So, look into the company offering the policy, rather than Amazon. I suspect the dissatisfaction Amazon customers report would be true of any extended warranty, from nearly anyone - extended warranties rarely deliver the kind of value or protection the buyer thought he/she was getting.

I checked price at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com. Best Buy is selling the camera at or very near list price. You can buy the camera and the extended warranty offered by Amazon for about the same price as the camera alone at Best Buy. The price of Best Buy's basic two-year warranty is also more expensive than Amazon's. Best Buy's basic warranty (a Geek Squad warranty, which is a division of Best Buy) is essentially the same as Amazon's, by the way - you have to purchase an add-on option from Best Buy to get the accidental damage coverage you want (they don't show the price of that option at the web site, by the way).

The price of digital cameras keeps dropping, and the performance keeps improving. My $600 FujiFilm camera purchased about two years ago is very similar to the Canon you're looking at, which lists for $399 and sells for under $300 at some deep discounters. And of course, the Canon has newer, more advanced features, too. In short, by the time the old equipment gives up the ghost, it's usually time for a low-priced upgrade.

As far as water damage goes, take it from someone who destroyed his Nikon F and several lenses on a whitewater boating trip (I sold whitewater photography back in the day) - it's better to have a working camera when you need it, than to be able to replace it after you get home. If you're worried about water, I suggest an item like this at REI (they have several other models and manufacturers, by the way)- it's cheaper than that extended warranty.

I have to dissagree, I work in an electronics store and I swear by extended protection for most products! Digital cameras are products that I definitely reccomend the plan for.
It covers battery replacement(if the product comes with a battery) and that can be at least 20-30 dollars. It also covers all issues with the camera and all repair andlabor costs. Most companies offer 2-3 year replacement. I know that if I personally paid $300 for a nice camera, and the warranty was 30 bucks. How are customers not going to come out ahead, just for the replacement battery alone(1 new per year of warranty)?
Also, you are guaranteed to have a camera that will work for at least 2-3 years(depending on coverage purchased) $30 is a lot cheaper than having to pay for repairs on my camera or having to buy a new camera...

Just my .02

Thanks

[A & J's Dad]

You have to read the warranty details. Normally I'm with Dave on them. However, when I bought my first DSLR at Best Buy they offered a 4-year warranty that included the battery replacement and cleaning (including the sensor) for $99. Most camera stores charge from $50-75 for a sensor cleaning. I had to have the trigger replaced after the manufacturer's warranty expired and had it cleaned 3 times. I'd say I got my money's worth.

Cheers
Craig