Using the manufacturers guarantee

[Jesstar]

Following up on the earlier thread about grey imports, I wondered how many people have actually had to use their manufacturers guarantees. Whilst it's perfectly reasonable that some people want no risk so want to pay for that guarantee to get peace of mind, others may be more willing to take a risk. So I'm going to try and create a poll to find out what proportion of people have had to fall back on their guarantees (personally I have been lucky so far).

 

[Bristolian]

I've not had any camera gear fail within the warranty period but Nikon have just replaced the shutter mechanism on my D300 FOC - it was 3 months outside of the extended 2 year warranty with less than 13000 clicks on the clock.

 

[modchild]

I had a Sigma lens fail on me last november and it was replaced under warranty. I bought it from Panamoz in january and it was replaced by them, I had a new lens after only 11 days, so not actually the manufacturers warranty but it was very good service.

I've seen reports of Sigma taking 6 to 8 weeks to fix an item so I was a little worried when it failed but I certainly can't complain. Thats the only thing out of around 7 bodies and 20 odd lenses that I've had that has gone wrong though so I haven't anything to compare it with.

 

[POAH]

only thing I've had problems with was my printer and that was replaced - never with a camera.

 

[Mike.P]

My first Pentax K-5 had to be replaced twice due to stains on the sensor.

Would have been an absolute nightmare had it been an import, as it was Pentax's repair agent sorted the problems out very quickly (no thanks to the retailer Mifsuds who wanted me to send it back directly so relieving them of all future problems had there been any)

 

[Gaz J]

Fortunately I've never had to use the manufacturers warranty and I hope it remains that way. However I would never buy a grey import body. I might consider a lens however. Allegedly Canon will honour warranties on lenses bought anywhere but not on bodies.

I'm sure that some people will say that they have had bodies repaired by canon uk that where greys but even the chance that they wouldn't honour the warranty is too great for me.

I have also heard that Nikon have a similar policy and Sigma refusing to give the extended warranty on greys..

 

[Rams]

My nephew bought a new Canon 600D via eBay (posted to Ireland).

He was delighted at the reduced price compared to retailers here but didn't realise until it arrived that the warranty was actually invalid
My own Nikon D3100 has been returned twice, minor problems but probably costly without the warranty.

 

[Nod]

Never had to use any manufacturers' warranties but have had a genuine Nikon battery recalled and replaced (in fact, upgraded!). Always pay the bit extra for peace of mind.

 

[moaten]

Not yet had to use MF's warranty ! But looking to buy a new body and not pay top price. Getting more confused as the various threads progress

 

[Georges]

never used manufacturer warranty. Still willing to pay extra for that peace of mind, no matter how much saving there may be. It is like home insurance. for years nothing happens but when it happens you wish you had it. Like other people, had home insurance for 20+ years and never used them and recently my son forgot to strap the wii controller and the next thing the TV screen was gone fortunately, insurance stepped in and replaced with the latest and greatest (TV was 10 yrs old) LCD 3d, with all the acronyms in its name that I can not remember. No Hassle, and that where the saving is.