CPS 5 Year Digital Camera under $500.00: Based on my experience with warranty #809696 on a Canon S3-is

• This is not a “comprehensive” plan. There are restrictions on what is covered.
• Repair or replacement with a product of concurrent type and caliber is not assured. I was sent a short lived “used” camera in poor condition with missing parts.
• Coverage does not include multiple fixes. The first claim cancels the warranty, even if CPS chooses not to repair the camera. This happened to me less than one year in.
• You do not call CPS and then take your camera to a local service center for a quick repair or exchange. You call for an RMA, box up your camera with copies of all receipts even though you’ve registered, include all accessories plus batteries, case, charger and memory card, none of which I got back. Include $25 and send it to New York at your expense. Two and one half month turn around.
• There are plenty of hidden fees. Cost of shipping plus $25 for a claim plus $34.95 to buy a 3 year warranty for the used replacement. Don’t waste your money on this, the used camera only lasted a few months and CPS refused to repair an “abused” camera and cancelled this warranty, #853254, as well.
• The manufacturer’s warranty expired in August 2008. A legitimate supplemental comprehensive 5 year warranty would have lasted until August 2013. I just wish I had saved the money making claims and had Canon fix my camera for $124.
• An appeal by phone to CPS about the failure to make good on the used camera could not be made, and I was told to file a complaint online. I received a confirmation number from the “escalation team” and never heard any more. After 2 weeks I bought a new camera, no extra warranty. I’d rather throw it away than deal with the headache and unnecessary expense.