Anyone use Mack (NJ) for repair photo equip?I purc

[Jonathan Wienke]

Generally, the reason these warranties are offered is because the item is "gray market" and has NO US warranty. If you have a Canon USA warranty card, I wouldn't bother, but if not, Mack is all you can get.

BTW, what is the source of the "relatively large number of mechanical problems reported with the 1Ds" comment? I've taken over 7,000 shots with my 1Ds and haven't had any problems with it yet, nor have I heard of anyone else needing any kind of repairs on their 1Ds. I would be suspicious that this is a scare tactic to get you to buy the warranty...

[Jonathan Wienke]

What issues are you having with your 1Ds?

[marty m]

I purchased my 1Ds from B&H. They offer an extended warranty from Mack -- 3 more years for $300. Based upon the information on the web site Mack is a camera repair outfit in New Jersey.

Is anyone familiar with Mack? Do you recommend it?

Anyone have any thoughts about whether an extended service plan is a smart or foolish investment?  I generally don't buy these plans -- since problems show up in the first year of the manufacturer's warranty.

However, they have been a relatively large number of mechanical problems reported with the 1Ds, and more than a few comments that it might be smart to purchase extended warranties for the 1Ds.

[marty m]

Jonathan -- thanks very much for your comments and guidance.  You have helped me out and provided advice on other issues and postings on the forum and it is greatly appreciated.

(1)  FYI, the Mack warranty extends the US warranty on US products.  They also provide the only coverage provided by B&H for grey market products.

I also was independently referred to the following review of repair facilities on Photo Net which is very educational:

http://www.photo.net/neighbor/one-subcategory?id=1

All of these comments persuaded me to skip the Mack warranty.  I'll hope and assume that any problems that may develop will occur in the first year under the Canon warranty.  (Which is generally the case -- and why extended warranties are a bad investment.)  If problems occur after it expires I'll just send the camera directly to Canon and pay for their repair services.  Better to pay and hopefully get the job done correctly the first time.

The reviews on Photo Net were very educational.  The comments about Mack range from "a monkey can do better" to "worthless, absolutely worthless."   It appears to take Mack two, three or four times to get the job done correctly, assuming that they get it done at all.  You can also read responses from Mack and B&H -- you can read both sides and decide for yourself.  My conclusion is that there are very few positive comments about Mack in any of the forums.

This only confirms my earlier stated view of extended warranties.  I should have known better than to have wasted even a nanosecond considering an extended warranty -- especially is it was not offered directly by Canon in the first place.

(2)  With regard to my comment about the "relatively large number of problems" reported with the 1Ds.  That was an unscientific statement on my part -- I readily concede that I would be hard-pressed to defend it.  I base it upon comments posted in the Galbraith forum where a fair number of problems have been reported.  I have already had such an intermittent problem with my 1Ds -- time will tell if it is serious and needs to be repaired.  My impression, again it is only an impression, is that there are a larger number of problems being reported than normal -- or what you'd expect for a professional camera in this price range.

[Leigh]

Mack Warranties are not exactly an extension of Canon's Warranty.    Mack does their own evaluation, and repairs, so you're pretty much at their mercy.

  A better solution:
 Buy with a Visa Platinum credit card.   That, automatically, gives you a one year extension of the Canon Warranty, and you can send the lens to Canon for service.    IN ADDITION:  Any time before the two year coverage ( 1 yr Cannon / 1 yr Visa) has expired, most Visa Platinum banks offer Visa Enhancement Service's "Performance Guarantee" (VPG) which offers 3-5 year extensions for far less than what you paid for the MACK.

  Here's a factual example:    I noted a problem with my 100-400 IS Zoom;  It was 23 months past the purchase date, and the Canon Warranty had expired 11 months prior.     I sent the lens to Canon's NJ repair facility; The repair cost $327; I paid Canon, sent the paperwork to Visa, & was promptly reimbursed for the entire amount.  I was also able to buy an additional 5 year warranty from them for $135.

  One unfortunate note:   Visa will not offer the VPG extended warranty if you have previously purchased one elsewhere---such as MACK, or GE.

Leigh

[scottatmackcamera]

Although we are our own repair facility we do send equipment to the manufacturer as well.  It all depends on parts, timing and numerous factors.

scott @ mackcam.com