Refurbished Sony Digital Cam's Safety?

Question

Hi there !!

My friend is in USA for Work&Travel and i wanna make him buy a Sony DSC-T2 for my friend's birthday. In sonystyle.com, he showed me some refurbished items to buy.. and i cant be sure if there ll be a problem about it. I live in another country !!

In optional service plans there is "2 Year Service Plan with Accidental Damage from Handling" and things like these.. do they work to protect item's future really ?

He said he'll go to sony shop to buy it in a few days and i ll choose before he goes..

Do you think i should trust these options ?

Thanx

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry too much about it being refurbished. What that usually means is that someone bought the camera and then returned it a few days later. The company can't sell it again as new so they check it over and sell it as refurbished. Of course, some refurbished items were ones that were duds and got sent back and then fixed and then sold as refurbished. Either way I wouldn't worry because Sony is a pretty reputable company and they probably check their products over pretty well.

As for the extended service plan, what that means is that if you break it in the next two years they'll fix or replace it. I wouldn't get it for two reasons. The first reason is that they're simply not worth it - you spend more on plans then you save in replacements. The second reason is that you may not be able to use the plan. Since you live in another country the plan may not apply to you even if you buy it.

Answer 2

Personally, I would not buy refurbished electronics.  My experience is they have a shorter life.

Answer 3

If the saving is more than 20%, I'll definitely go for it. There is no reason not to buy an original factory refurbished item w/ factory warranty from the original factory store.

As for the Extended Service Plan, it depend on how likely you will drop and/or misuse the camera. If you are one of clumsy type of person, then by all means.

most important, have your friend check out whether those warranty is US only or Worldwide warranty. 'cause from your wording, I'm guessing you are not from the state.