Ok Folks - at the risk of ruining a good thing, I need to pass along some info about purchasing a Phantom 2 and something you should check out IF you are planning to buy one soon.
I purchased my Phantom 2 with Zenmuse Gimbal through Amazon and it arrived last Saturday. When I ordered it, I saw a 3 year "drop and spill" warranty that could be ordered for about $70.00 - In most cases, extended warranties aren't worth the money so I didn't even consider it.
Having had a couple of close calls this weekend - I decided to look more closely into this warranty. Since it was a "video camera equipment" warranty, I assumed it only covered the Zenmuse Gimbal. I mean... nobody would actually cover the Phantom would they?
I got a chat session started with the customer service rep at Amazon and here is the exact transcript:
08:18 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Hello, my name is Adaikala. I'll certainly try to help regarding your concern.
08:19 AM PDT AlexC: Thanks. I noticed there's a warranty available for the Phantom 2 quadcopter - and I wondered if I can purchase it (since the quad is already delivered) and if it actually covers the Phantom 2... or the 3D gimbal or both against accidental breakage. I just find it hard to believe it would cover the whole thing
08:22 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Let me check this for you.
08:24 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Thanks for waiting.
08:25 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Upon checking, I see the warranty available for the item is for both Phantom 2 and 3D gimbal
08:25 AM PDT AlexC: so... and I am being very specific here... if I crash the quad-copter - that is covered??
08:26 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Yes, AlexC.
08:26 AM PDT AlexC: wow. ok... can I purchase that warranty now? even though I already have the quad-copter?
08:27 AM PDT AlexC: I just purchased last week (delivered on Saturday 8/23/14)
08:28 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): As you've already purchased the item, I'd request you to contact the seller directly to check whether the warranty can be purchased for this item, as it is shipped and sold by Warrantech.
You can contact the seller using the link given below
And then they gave me the link and phone number.
Now - I called the warranty company - explained the conversation I had just had and asked to verify - and the Warranty company VERIFIED this was the case - even if I crashed the Phantom 2 - that would be covered!
They said as long as I ordered the coverage in the first 90 days - I could add the coverage! The only caveat is, if I were to crash my Phantom today - I would have to wait 30 days to make the claim. I asked if that meant that it didn't matter if I crashed with in those 30 days - I would still be covered - and he said that is correct... I would just need to wait the 30 days to submit the claim even if I crashed TODAY.
I am sure that they will only replace the item once (and then their warranty is void for anything beyond that) - but that is a pretty fantastic deal.
In any case - you don't really need to take my word for it... but I read the contract and have confirmed with both Amazon and the warranty company... I am a little blown away.
Mathematically/statistically speaking - I can see how this coverage is profitable for them - but I am still surprised.
I purchased my Phantom 2 with Zenmuse Gimbal through Amazon and it arrived last Saturday. When I ordered it, I saw a 3 year "drop and spill" warranty that could be ordered for about $70.00 - In most cases, extended warranties aren't worth the money so I didn't even consider it.
Having had a couple of close calls this weekend - I decided to look more closely into this warranty. Since it was a "video camera equipment" warranty, I assumed it only covered the Zenmuse Gimbal. I mean... nobody would actually cover the Phantom would they?
I got a chat session started with the customer service rep at Amazon and here is the exact transcript:
08:18 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Hello, my name is Adaikala. I'll certainly try to help regarding your concern.
08:19 AM PDT AlexC: Thanks. I noticed there's a warranty available for the Phantom 2 quadcopter - and I wondered if I can purchase it (since the quad is already delivered) and if it actually covers the Phantom 2... or the 3D gimbal or both against accidental breakage. I just find it hard to believe it would cover the whole thing
08:22 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Let me check this for you.
08:24 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Thanks for waiting.
08:25 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Upon checking, I see the warranty available for the item is for both Phantom 2 and 3D gimbal
08:25 AM PDT AlexC: so... and I am being very specific here... if I crash the quad-copter - that is covered??
08:26 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): Yes, AlexC.
08:26 AM PDT AlexC: wow. ok... can I purchase that warranty now? even though I already have the quad-copter?
08:27 AM PDT AlexC: I just purchased last week (delivered on Saturday 8/23/14)
08:28 AM PDT Adaikala(Amazon): As you've already purchased the item, I'd request you to contact the seller directly to check whether the warranty can be purchased for this item, as it is shipped and sold by Warrantech.
You can contact the seller using the link given below
And then they gave me the link and phone number.
Now - I called the warranty company - explained the conversation I had just had and asked to verify - and the Warranty company VERIFIED this was the case - even if I crashed the Phantom 2 - that would be covered!
They said as long as I ordered the coverage in the first 90 days - I could add the coverage! The only caveat is, if I were to crash my Phantom today - I would have to wait 30 days to make the claim. I asked if that meant that it didn't matter if I crashed with in those 30 days - I would still be covered - and he said that is correct... I would just need to wait the 30 days to submit the claim even if I crashed TODAY.
I am sure that they will only replace the item once (and then their warranty is void for anything beyond that) - but that is a pretty fantastic deal.
In any case - you don't really need to take my word for it... but I read the contract and have confirmed with both Amazon and the warranty company... I am a little blown away.
Mathematically/statistically speaking - I can see how this coverage is profitable for them - but I am still surprised.