Circuit City ripoff extended warranty scam San Bernardino California
When buying a Fuji digital camera at circuit city, they coaxed me into also buying the extended warranty, stating (and I quote)"Our warranty covers MORE than the manufacturer's warranty." I hate dealing with the manufacturer for problems, so I decided it would be worth it to pay the extra price.
I like the camera, but after nearly a year of use, it developed little "stars" in the viewfinder -- probably some pixels were going bad or something. So I took it into the store expecting to get either a new camera or get it fixed.
They told me to call their 800 number and I would get a shipping package from them to be able to send them my camera. The repairs were evidently done somewhere else.
Funny thing is -- when I looked at my receipt, it was 1 week short of being exactly a year from the date of purchase. I called the Circuit City 800 number and the representative said that because it was less than a year, I would have to call Fuji. The first year's responsibility was the manufacturer's. They would take care of any problems AFTER the first year.
I said, Well, that's why I bought the extended warranty! -- So I wouldn't have to deal with the manufacturer! He said, Well, that's the way it is. So I said, Then maybe I'll just wait a week and call you back. He replied, Well, we still can't help you with that problem -- pre-existing conditions are not covered.
What! Is this a medical insurance or something! So, If I had called a week later (without making the first call) it would have been covered, but now that I've reported it before the 1-year mark, it won't be covered? What a scam! I said, What about the fact that you said you cover MORE than the manufacturer's warranty? And he replied, Well we do. We cover the battery if you have a problem. The manufacturer doesn't take care of that.
OK! Whoopee doo! So you cover 1 or 2 more things so you can tout that you cover MORE than the manufacturer! What a scam! How about fixing my camera? There's got to be a better system! I will never buy anything at Circuit City again. (as an added note: my cousin just took back a digital Nikon camera to another big store after he had dropped (yes dropped!) the lens and broken it. The gave him a whole new camera AND lens with no questions asked! Amazing. Maybe this company is the one to go out of their way to help their customers!
Mike
Grand Terrace, California
U.S.A.
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Chris
York,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Talk to the store he/she will do a direct swap out right in the store
#3UPDATE Employee
Mon, June 13, 2005
Nine times out of ten this problem can be solved by talking to the store. The problem with CA is that its handled by a seperate company that dosent really care about the customers. If the manager is in a good mood he/she will do a direct swap out right in the store and ship it off the manf. The worst that might happen is they will use their manager to manager phone line at get it replaced or fixed for you. Its no secret we make our money off of CA and the managers know that. They want a repeate sale, just talk to them.
Heather
Chatham,Ontario,
Canada
Read Completely Before Agreeing
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, June 09, 2005
It is quite typical to have the first year covered by the manufacture, and I promise you that it says that some where on your warranty, you just needed to READ IT before buying.
Telling you that it covers more than the Manufacture is completely TRUE, they will cover more items, however, that does not say they cover it while the manufacture does.
You needed to read, and didn't.
its not a scam, you just walked into something with your eyes closed.
This happens at multiple stores, check it out now and make a better decision in the futre.
Not a rip off.