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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Extended warrenty: Mack or Nikon?
Harry Bloomberg, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | USA | Posted: 7:36 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> I just purchased a Nikon D200 and am considering an extended warrenty on the body so that my future repair costs will be fixed.
My two choices are:
- Mack three year extended warrenty for $99.95.
- Nikon two year Extended Service Coverage for $169.99.
It appears that the Mack plan is a much better value. It's a longer term contract, it's less expensive, and it's transferrable when selling the camera. However, I have never used Mack before for service, so I don't know much about the quality or speed of their repairs.
So, what's your recent experience with Mack service? Is their extended warrenty a real value when compared to Nikon, or is it a false economy?
Note: I purchased the D200 from SS sponsor Roberts. I received a great price and excellent service! |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 9:17 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> I've recently taken advantage of two Mack warranties in the past year, on my D70 and D2H, both out of the normal 1-year Nikon warranty period. Neither was a particularly speedy repair; the D70 took 6-8 weeks if I remember, and the D2H about 3 weeks. And in both cases, Mack sent the cameras back to Nikon! What was coded in Mack's one-word status database was "RECALL," though neither camera seemed to be suffering from Nikon's recognized recall issues with the respective bodies.
But the bottom line was I got my cameras fixed. Neither has had any problems since. |
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John Harrington, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 9:37 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> Chuck --
I too have heard of SERIOUS delays with Mack warranty repairs. If you are a professional, then you are either an NPS or CPS member, and can get all repairs done within 2-3 days, if not less, whether warranty, or non-warranty.
If you are a professional, then the likelihood that you can be without your camera for several weeks (to a month+) is highly unlikely, and the $70 difference is less than you would have to pay to rent a camera for even one day if you had to.
John |
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JohnPaul Greco, Photographer, Assistant
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Waukesha | WI | USA | Posted: 9:40 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> Mack = "unlikely" useable.. in my personal opinion..
(based on an experience of my own)..
JP |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 10:05 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> Neither
Join Nikon Professional Service.
Only pay when something breaks and out of the regular warranty. |
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Harry Bloomberg, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | USA | Posted: 10:20 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> Thanks for the feedback!
Alas, the last time I checked a few years ago, a requirement for NPS membership was that 50% of one's total income be from photography. As a part-time photographer, I don't think I'd qualify.
I've dealt with Nikon repair before, and although I have a few issues with obtaining info on when a body will be returned, I was reasonably satisified with them. Right now I'm leaning towards the Nikon service plan. With the way digital cameras are adhearing to Moore's law (50% improvement and 50% decrease in price every year), a broken D200 probably wouldn't be worth the trouble to repair in three years anyway. |
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Gerald H. Ling, Photographer
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Storrs | CT | USA | Posted: 10:28 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> "Only pay when something breaks and out of the regular warranty."
Like in my case... always. Sigh. |
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John Harrington, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 10:32 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> From the NPS website: http://www.nikonpro.com/about_nps.php
Nikon Professional Services is available only to bona-fide, FULL-TIME professional photographers. There are absolutely no costs involved in joining NPS, only important benefits designed to help you.
To qualify:
-- NPS Sponsor (existing member to verify that you are a full-time photographer)
-- Current Tear Sheets (published within the last 12 months)
-- Ownership of a minimum of 2 Nikon Professional Bodies and 3 Nikkor or DX Nikkor lenses
Understand that the above FOUR requirements are what NIKON defines as a professional photographer. If you have tear sheets, if you own 2 pro bodies, and have a sponsor, then you are entitled to NPS membership.
I understand that you've indicated you are "part time", which would seem to be in conflict with the "....FULL-TIME professional photographers..." line, but Nikon goes on to be specific about the qualifying requirements. Perhaps you should reconsider your part-time status, and just how you define that. While you may see that you are infrequently taking photo assignments, that is only one part of the work a photographer does. A photographer does paperwork, research, education (i.e. SS reading/participation) and more. While you may work eight hours during your "day job", you may spend evenings and weekends growing your photo business and spend more than 40 hours a week doing that. Only a current, full time professional photographer colleague will be able to verify this for you, hence the requirement.
Best of luck as you grow your business!
John |
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PJ Heller, Photographer
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Christchurch | n/a | NZ | Posted: 10:53 PM on 11.27.06 |
| ->> Just curious about where you saw an extended Nikon service plan . . . I wasn't aware Nikon offered one in the US. Does it only apply to specific cameras, or can it be used for the D2-series bodies? |
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Harry Bloomberg, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | USA | Posted: 11:06 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> Info about the Nikon service plan can be found at http://www.nikonusa.com/esc/usa_esc.html .
Note that this plan is run by Nikon USA, so I'm not sure what would apply in NZ. Also, it does not cover D2 series bodies. If you click on the link in the above page to "Visit the Nikon Extended Coverage Service Center", you'll see a list of eligible cameras. |
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Landon Finch, Photographer
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Colorado Springs | CO | USA | Posted: 11:43 PM on 11.27.06 |
->> "Ownership of a minimum of 2 Nikon Professional Bodies"
Harry mentioned he bought the D200. I'd consider the D200 a "pro body", but I believe Nikon does NOT (only the D2x and D2H). If anyone knows for sure otherwise, please let me know. |
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John Harrington, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 12:27 AM on 11.28.06 |
->> For those of you who are NPS members, let's all laugh at how many times NPS has listed whatever was wrong with our equipment as "impact damage" even when it wasn't dropped or bumped against anything!
John
(note that this is a sorrowful laugh, as in the end it means "we pay" rather than a warranty repair!) |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 12:56 AM on 11.28.06 |
| ->> I won't go into a long message on why you've got to be careful when purchasing an extended warranty, but suffice to say buy the Nikon and join NPS. I suspect you'll have little trouble finding a NPS sponsor here on SS. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 9:01 AM on 11.28.06 |
| ->> I've been wanting to join NPS for years, but I too doubt if I'd qualify under their conditions. Between my freelance work, being official photographer for a Division I sports program, and acting as my school's official photographer/photo editor/photography instructor as part of my director of communications mantle, I easily put in 40 hours a week as a "photographer." But does Nikon count that? And then there's the "two professional bodies" issue. D2H, D200, D80, and D70 I don't suppose add up to "two professional bodies." So for some of us, NPS isn't an option. Would be nice if it was... |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 9:39 AM on 11.28.06 |
->> NPS has never asked for tax records to confirm whether I earn 100% of my income from photography.
My view is that when you are using your camera to make money, 100% of that money is your income.
Nikon's requirements are not laws written by Congress and signed by the President.
Nikon's NPS has been "Bery bery" good to me. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 6:52 PM on 10.25.07 |
->> I thought I'd post my most recent experience with Mack. My D2H, purchased new in late 2004 with a 3-year Mack extended warranty for $99.95, blew a shutter recently.
I sent it to Mack on 10/8.
They received it on 10/11.
They shipped it back on 10/22.
I got it today, 10/25.
I can live with that, especially since my NPS application has been languishing in Melville somewhere since August. |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 7:02 PM on 10.25.07 |
->> Chuck
Languishing?
I guess they read who sponsored you.
Grin.
Call them up on their nickel. |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Palm Desert | CA | USA | Posted: 8:37 PM on 10.25.07 |
->> Harry, I bought a 5-year warranty for my Nikon D70. I've since sold the camera. The Mack Warranty for me was slow. It took me 6 weeks to get my camera back. (Blown shutter) When I looked at the invoice, the camera was sent to Nikon and Nikon fixed it because of the one-year warranty. Then Mack sent it back to me. Of course I had to PAY $10 to Mack to send it back to me. In this situation, being an NPS member would have benefitted me greatly.
The one good thing about the warranty, was the added value of the warranty
since it could be transferred.
In restrospect, if I could do it again, I would go for the NPS membership instead. Good luck! |
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Michael Troutman, Photographer
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Carmel | CA | USA | Posted: 9:19 PM on 10.25.07 |
->> NPS and full insurance (with a low deductable) are the way to go.
Example: busted a D2x, got a loaner from NPS, camera fixed in a week, insurance payed all but $250 (expensive repair). No worries. |
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Harry Bloomberg, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | USA | Posted: 6:54 PM on 10.28.07 |
->> I started this thread a long time ago so I suppose I should post what I finally did.
I didn't do anything! I did not buy a Mac warranty. I also did not join NPS because I'm not a full time pro and therefore can't. I gambled that the D200 would not fail and so far it has worked flawlessly. It only has to last until I can get my hands on a D300, which I hope will be soon.
Thanks all for the advice. |
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Trevor Walker, Photographer
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Powell | OH | USA | Posted: 8:34 PM on 10.28.07 |
| ->> Why not try to join NPS. What are they going to say, no. If they do, you are out one hour of your time and a stamp. It is worth it to be a member. |
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