Nikon extended warranty?

Greetings all,

I am new to the group and have a question. I just purchased a Nikon D40 camera (sweet), and was considering purchasing the extended warranty from Nikon. When I went to the Nikon website I found the following disclaimer:

"Nikon Inc. Extended Service Coverage is not available for sale in the states of Florida, Virginia or Washington".

As a resident of WA, I feel a bit stiffed here. Any clue why this would be?

"Warranty-less in Seattle", TR

I got lucky and found a phone number for Nikon warranty service. I asked the representative about the exclusion of Washington state, and recieved a reply "There must be some kind of legal reason". Now there's service for ya.

Looks like I'm out of luck with Nikon. Can anyone recommend a third party extended warranty or insurance plan that isn't a total ripoff?

Sorry if I sound a bit jaded. I've had a few bad experiences in the past with extended warranties (the companies will do back flips to get out of providing coverage) and read the horror stories of many others.

The Mack warranty seems to be the most prolific, but I've not heard any good things about these folks.

I purchased the D40 camera from Kits (Ritz) Camera. They offered a warranty/insurance plan that seemed comprehensive (including damage repair and sensor cleaning), but I have no clue if they stand up to their end of the deal when the camera actually goes "teets up". The price tag on their warranty was pretty steep and I would want to be sure they deal honorably when it comes to problems.

Any other options?

I appreciate any and all input.

Thank you, TR

If you have an AMEX card, they usually apply an additional year of warranty. I guess this doesn't help you if you already bought the camera w/another card or w/cash.

The SONY Visa card also applies an additional year of warranty. Love it.

Garbonston said:

If you have an AMEX card, they usually apply an additional year of
warranty. I guess this doesn't help you if you already bought the
camera w/another card or w/cash.

The SONY Visa card also applies an additional year of warranty.
Love it.

Click to expand...

Good call. I always forget about the credit card extended warranties. I need to dig them out and see which one has the best coverage. This can become my new "toy" card.

Thanks, TR

Just make sure you keep the card long enough to enjoy your warranty if your "toys" break. I love my AMEX warranty extension.

Here is an update when I questioned B&H photo about the Nikon extended warranty in Washington (also Virginia and Florida).

My quote: " Nikon Inc. Extended Service Coverage is not available for sale in the states of Florida, Virginia or Washington. "

B&H Quote: "This refers to the sale of the warranty service, not the coverage. A Nikon dealer located in these 3 states for whatever reason cannot sell this warranty. B&H is located in NYC and can offer it to you, and yes you will be covered in Washington State."

It would have been nice if Nikon Customer service had been this clear. They were not very helpful.

Anyway, it sounds like my extended warranty options have increased.

Cheers, TR

Even better reason now to get your Nikon on an AMEX or some other card with additional warranty protection, since it won't be limited to state. With the rate at which cameras are malfunctioning nowadays, you'll need the extra protection. Besides, you can get some points.

--
http://www.pbase.com/johndig



Johndig
CP-885, CP-8800, D-50, D-80 (pbase supporter)
PAS #19, MAA, WSSA #67

You can now purchase the extended warranty on the Nikon web site and you now have 1 year to do that! I did with my D-80.

Good luck
John D.

I am sure your state has some wacky law that supposedly protects the consumer. You could always move...

--
Doug

Or get an AMEX card...

"I am sure your state has some wacky law that supposedly protects the consumer."

Doug,

Doesn't that describe most state laws?

"You could always move..."

Yeah, I ran that one past my wife. She quickly vetoed it. Looks like I'm staying put.

Kind of funny... Since B&H said I could purchase an extended warranty from them I went ahead and enquired about my D40 since it was not purchased at B&H. Their new reply completely back pedalled from their first encouraging reply. Here it is:

"This question I would ask Nikon directly because ultimately it 's up to them to honor the warranty."

Thanks. I had already contacted Nikon. They were no help. B&H knew I contacted Nikon. Looks a bit like "buck passing" or "finger pointing". Oh well...

Looks like I need to take a closer look at my Mastercards and Visas. I have the Super Platinum Pimp cards, so that should be good for some kind of extended warranty.

Cheers, TR

TR

As long as their pimping you up on the APR, you might as well pimp them back on the warranty.

The point is this...you act like it is Nikon's fault. It is most likely due to the fact that Washington State is left leaning and your legislature passed some law that was anti-business.

You should be complaining to your local politician and if you voted for a Democrat candidate, you should be complaining to yourself!

--
Doug

"The point is this...you act like it is Nikon's fault."

Doug,

Where did you get that from? The only thing I am annoyed at Nikon for is the inability to tell me whether I cannot purchase an extended warranty in Washington State or whether they won't honor a warranty purchased in another state for my camera. Only Nikon can answer this, and they didn't.

"It is most likely due to the fact that Washington State is left leaning and your legislature passed some law that was anti-business."

No argument here.

You should be complaining to your local politician and if you voted for a Democrat candidate, you should be complaining to yourself!

Wow... Talk about out of left field. This was a light hearted enquiry that you managed to twist into a political vendeta.

Cheers, TR

I work for Ritz camera in Portland, OR. Our coverage is handled through our company except for Florida and Oregon and New York. Some legal reason in those states. So that is odd to me that Nikon is different from ours in Washington and Oregon. I have worked for the company for 6 years and 2 of those years I handled the legwork end of the camera repairs. Not once has our warranty not been honored. (Worst damage I saw was a D70 with the pop-up flash ripped off and obviously other damage to the camera. It was a straight replacement no repair was available on that camera with the amount of damage. I will let you know that with our coverage the cameras still have to go out to the repair department and will be subject to normal repair times. (4-6 weeks sometimes sooner depending on problem.) hope this helps.

PSImage,

That was very helpful info. I purchased the camera at Kits Camera (affiliated with Ritz), but am holding off on their extended warranty till I see what coverage I might have through my credit card.

The warranty offered by Kits was a bit pricey, but they do include sensor cleaning and cover camera damage. The damage coverage is a nice bonus. It is good to know they stand behind the coverage. I have had such mixed results in the past with various extended warranty plans.

Thank you, TR