In a previous post, I mentioned my broken camera woes. Well this morning I receive an email update from the retailer stating that I must contact them to proceed with my service order. As it turns out, the repairs assessed would be greater than the value of the camera, which meant I would have to come in and pick up a replacement. Boo-hoo. This is the news I'm dreading. I am pretty certain that the new one would be a less than adequate replacement for my favorite camera.
When I arrive at the store I am instructed to have a rep from the digital camera department find out if by some miraculous chance they still carry the exact same model camera to swap out for my broken one. Sadly, and not surprisingly, they did not. With the previous camera, I had purchased the 4-year replacement warranty, which entitled me to receive a camera with the same or similar specs as my previous one. According to the camera expert, this meant I would likely have to accept another 8 megapixel point-and-shoot, even if its value is less than the price I paid for my old camera. I anticipate the worst as the camera guy browses the inventory for a suitable substitute. To my delight, he suggests I try to make a case for the 10.1 megapixel camera, the newest successor to my irreparable gadget. Mostly the same features, some upgrades, but definitely same size touchscreen, he says. I am elated.
I return to the exchange desk, while the camera saint states my case for the upgrade. After a quick debate between the two associates, I get the thumbs up. As the customer service rep is processing the trade, I ask him about my 4-year warranty and how the remaining 3 years 2 months roll over to my new camera. No such luck. I would have to buy a new protection plan for this one. Rather than submit to my impulse to buy the warranty, I take the advice of the service rep and opt to ride out the 14 day window they offer to make a decision. As I exit the store, I start calculating the warranty depreciation and arrive at the conclusion that with 38 months left on my original 4-year warranty, I had lost about $76. Furthermore, if I end up buying another 2-year warranty for accident insurance (which surely I will need), that would mean another $49. I am essentially out of pocket $125 for warranties, but walk away with a brand-spanking new camera valued at more than 3 times that. Considering I have broken two other cameras prior to this last one, I've come out a winner!
When I arrive at the store I am instructed to have a rep from the digital camera department find out if by some miraculous chance they still carry the exact same model camera to swap out for my broken one. Sadly, and not surprisingly, they did not. With the previous camera, I had purchased the 4-year replacement warranty, which entitled me to receive a camera with the same or similar specs as my previous one. According to the camera expert, this meant I would likely have to accept another 8 megapixel point-and-shoot, even if its value is less than the price I paid for my old camera. I anticipate the worst as the camera guy browses the inventory for a suitable substitute. To my delight, he suggests I try to make a case for the 10.1 megapixel camera, the newest successor to my irreparable gadget. Mostly the same features, some upgrades, but definitely same size touchscreen, he says. I am elated.
I return to the exchange desk, while the camera saint states my case for the upgrade. After a quick debate between the two associates, I get the thumbs up. As the customer service rep is processing the trade, I ask him about my 4-year warranty and how the remaining 3 years 2 months roll over to my new camera. No such luck. I would have to buy a new protection plan for this one. Rather than submit to my impulse to buy the warranty, I take the advice of the service rep and opt to ride out the 14 day window they offer to make a decision. As I exit the store, I start calculating the warranty depreciation and arrive at the conclusion that with 38 months left on my original 4-year warranty, I had lost about $76. Furthermore, if I end up buying another 2-year warranty for accident insurance (which surely I will need), that would mean another $49. I am essentially out of pocket $125 for warranties, but walk away with a brand-spanking new camera valued at more than 3 times that. Considering I have broken two other cameras prior to this last one, I've come out a winner!
1 comment:
When I first read the title of this post, I nearly pooped. I thought for sure you meant the camera that I loaned you.
Congrats on the upgraded new camera. Here's a thought, DON'T BREAK IT!!!
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