Circuit City
Ripoff extended warranty scam

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.

Company: Circuit City
Country: USA
State: California
City: San Bernardino
Address: Hospitality Lane

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