So, I just bought a Canon 5D Mark II and I have a couple weeks to decide whether I want to pay for the $350 insurance plan they're offering via Geek Squad. I read the policy and I kind of feel like it might be a rip off. Has anyone had experience with their insurance plan and if so, was it worth it?
Is Geek Squad and Best Buy insurance worth it?
- Thread starter Firm1
- Start date
I've never bothered, so I don't have direct experience with Best Buy's service, but I know consumer reports has been advising against these programs for a long time now:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/extended-warranties/buying-guide.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/extended-warranties/buying-guide.htm
There is a sucker born every minute. Just say no. If your camera does break, you'll find getting paid by the "insurance" company troublesome and a major headache, that is, if they're still in business and you saved the original shopping bag you brought the camera home in and didn't ever use it for a porn shoot.
Are you asking if their are other alternatives to equipment insurance?
I bought a fairly expensive video camera. I called my home owners insurance company (I'd be happy to give you the company name if you pm me, it's a national company, but don't want to throw it out in a thread unless I'm asked), any ways, $85 for the year, I'm fully covered, as long as its for personel use (I'm not charging anyone). They told me I could get mad at my girlfriend and throw it at her, and it was covered. My home owners already covers in the event of theft, and I get a police report. This covers ever other situation., no questions asked. $350 seems steep. My camera is a bit more expensive then the 5D mk2, so I'd imagine a policy like this would be cheaper for you.
If this is a piece if equipment for business, that's a different story.
If this is a piece if equipment for business, that's a different story.
The insurance or warranty at the checkout is how they make up for the super sale price. A lot of people fall for it.
Look into your credit cards. I have one that, if you buy it on that card, it extends the 1 year warranty to 2. Not insurance, but pretty cool.
Look into your credit cards. I have one that, if you buy it on that card, it extends the 1 year warranty to 2. Not insurance, but pretty cool.
I got one recently at Best Buy too, and I did get the three year protection plan for the peace of mind. The clerk told me they'd replace it for pretty much anything. But, after reading Itdonnedonme's Consumer Reports link, it sounds like maybe it was a mistake. Sounds like I was a sucker. I'll think twice or thrice or whatever next big purchase I make, if ever. Based upon that, it sounds like you're probably good not buying it. But I'm kind of an airhead, so what do I know?
Don't know if it's worth it or not, or whether the Canon support would be good enough without it. I've pretty much only heard good things about Canon replacing cameras etc. But, contrary to what GA said, I have only good things to say about Best Buy, as well. It's been one of my favorite stores. Although, I've never had to ask them to replace a camera before, knock on wood. I do like the idea of just going to my local BB if something calamitous happens. Again, not an argument for buying it. I'd tend to listen to Consumer Reports. Just saying that BB in general has been good to me for returns, for example. I tend to believe them too. But of course, sadly, they've been having trouble competing with the Amazons of the world, so what does the future hold?
Something that gave me pause was my wondering if Canon might discontinue the 5DII before those three years are up. Seems quite possible. Didn't they discontinue the T2i? So, what if your camera needs replacing after it's no longer being manufactured etc? What would be BB do? I dunno.
Not really an anwer, sorry. Good luck.
Don't know if it's worth it or not, or whether the Canon support would be good enough without it. I've pretty much only heard good things about Canon replacing cameras etc. But, contrary to what GA said, I have only good things to say about Best Buy, as well. It's been one of my favorite stores. Although, I've never had to ask them to replace a camera before, knock on wood. I do like the idea of just going to my local BB if something calamitous happens. Again, not an argument for buying it. I'd tend to listen to Consumer Reports. Just saying that BB in general has been good to me for returns, for example. I tend to believe them too. But of course, sadly, they've been having trouble competing with the Amazons of the world, so what does the future hold?
Something that gave me pause was my wondering if Canon might discontinue the 5DII before those three years are up. Seems quite possible. Didn't they discontinue the T2i? So, what if your camera needs replacing after it's no longer being manufactured etc? What would be BB do? I dunno.
Not really an anwer, sorry. Good luck.
The actual extended warranty or insurance might not even be underwritten by Best Buy even though they're selling it. Likely it's an LLC not related to Best Buy so if the finances are botched, it can't drag Best Buy down with them. I bet if the camera can't be fixed/replaced, they'll only give you a depreciated value for it.
Since cameras, when well taken care of, rarely 'go bad' I wouldn't bother.
However, when I've bought laptops from them I've got the extended warranty and it was well worth it. I don't know if they do it anymore but they had this 'no lemon' rule that if you brought it in for any repairs more than 3 times (didn't even have to be for the same thing) they'd replace it for you. And when you consider that the likelihood of them still making the model you bought 2 years prior it meant an instant free upgrade. They even let you buy the warranty on your replaced laptop so you could repeat the process. I got 3 free 'upgrades' that way.
However, when I've bought laptops from them I've got the extended warranty and it was well worth it. I don't know if they do it anymore but they had this 'no lemon' rule that if you brought it in for any repairs more than 3 times (didn't even have to be for the same thing) they'd replace it for you. And when you consider that the likelihood of them still making the model you bought 2 years prior it meant an instant free upgrade. They even let you buy the warranty on your replaced laptop so you could repeat the process. I got 3 free 'upgrades' that way.
For anyone in the uk, unless your hands are like butter don't bother getting the insurance if it breaks by itself your covered by Europe for 5 years.. Electronic items of course