My experience tells me.. that if you are first timer on any new range of product, it is better to go the market shelf and look and seek what suits you most. As for package offers, once you are into it ( that is use of the product) ... you know what the real worth of the package is and if it would be worth or not... atleast you have a fair idea.

I use a very simply toy model camera ( thats what I call it) A kodak dx 6440. I bought it from the regular showroom.... the interesting part is... I actually bought a DX 6340 and in 3 months time it developed a minor problem. The lens cover which was supposed to auto shut after I switch off the camera was not shutting fully. Since it was on warranty I took it to the dealer and showed him... he told me to wait for a week and .....

I waited 2 weeks, 3 weeks and then I got bugged and went to the main office. They made some enquiries and stuff and sent me to the main service station. On reaching their they informed me that the problem had compounded while attempting to repair it. I told them... fine, give me a replacement then. They said... well Sir, dx 6340 is not in our stock or else we woulda given you an immediate replacement. I said.... ok, so what do you propose? ( By now I was looking at them like a Maniac.) They went into whisper mode and one of them spoke up... Sir, I can show you DX 6440 its the best available in the market ....bla bla bla......... and I shut him up.... Listen, I sent a camera to you for you to fullfill it's warranty agreement or replace it. I am not here to buy a new one. The manager took me aside and says...... just shell out few Rupees more sir and you get the latest and the best, why are you rejecting such a beautiful offer?? .... I remained adamant..... I will not pay even a single penny for anything new or replaced. JUST GIVE ME MY CAMERA AND KEEP THE WARRANTY AGREEMENT!!!!... They went back to the whisper mode. By now, I was being offered Soft Drinks and Snacks ( I was enjoying it all.... ) Finally, they came to me and asked with fear in their voice. Sir, would you accept the dx 6440 as replacement for the dx 6340?... you don't have to pay nothing sir and we will offer you fresh warranty from today and not the original date of purchase of the other camera. I couldn't believe my ears.. I sat dumb.... they probably thought I was not buying in.... They went in and brought a new pack , opened it, demonstrated it..... and wow!! it sure was much better than the 6330... I would have been a fool not to accept it. Anyway, I enjoyed their discomfort for some more time and finally accepted the deal with feigned reluctance.... you should have seen their face, they were so very relieved.

I have captured over 50 thousand images with the 6440 and it is still holding good and no I din't have to go back for warranty claim.

Sorry about the long story..... the only moral of the story is that sometimes, it does appear that paying the Warranty is a waste but trust me it is not. It does pay at times. With electronics you are never sure.

A quicker example..... today I am to go and collect my Cell phone... a Nokia 3230 whose memory card went splat ( it was my fault I guess but no body is sure..... so why should I admit it) and they have offered to replace the card plus check the phone for virus. Reformat it and load all the software once again.... again within warranty. I am so glad I bought it with warranty or else..... it would have been a foolish idea to go and buy a new memory card for it in just 4 months time.

Along with me goes a colleague of mine who bought the top of the line in Nokia 7660 without warranty whose display went splat. He is virtually fishing out half the cost of the phone to get it fixed......

So at the end of the day , who is wiser??

I know this thread was not about Warranty Vs. No Warranty but I just poured out. Sorry for side tracking from the main subject.

I would suggest you my friend...... that you use your better judgement before going in for it. If the deal seems very good to you... go for it..... worst case scenario... you don't like it at a latter stage... atleast you should be in a position to push it out without loosing much. Consider your resale option if you don't bite into it at a latter stage.

As I already mentioned I have been wise twice...but I have also been foolish 20 times. ;)

WISHING YOU THE BEST OF BUY!!

:o))

SNAKEY