Fostex reliability/service?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Laura C
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Laura C

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I bought an MR8 today and was offered an extended warranty on it. The cost was about $25 for one year, $39 for two -- either way the contract starts ticking AFTER the manufacturers warranty is up and includes one complete replacement unit, as well as parts/labor for the specified time. I didn't buy it but still have the option for another month. Is the MR8 known for having problems, and if so, is Fostex easy to deal with?

Just wondering if any of you have opinions on whether this warranty is worth it.

Thanks in advance.
 
Well.....I'd hate to tell you not to get it and then your unit breaks down BUT:
In general...if electronic stuff is gonna break....it does it fairly soon.
Not always, of course, but usually.
I don't know much about the MR8 but I use a Fostex HD-1624 and it's been dead reliable. Another guy in the forum has had three and he says they're all problem free.
As for service.....I've seen people complain here about their service but when I had some questions, I had no trouble at all getting into a e-mail friendship with one of their service managers so I imagine it wouldn't be a problem if you approach it right.
 
As a rule I never buy service contracts on electronic goods. I agree that any defect (if there is one) should arise relatively quickly. Fostex updates software on the MR8's and the only issue I've heard people complain about is the memory card compatibility (using different brands/capacity). But hang our here for a while because this board is loaded with helpful MR8 users. Personally, I own a VF80.

Also, I called Fostex once for tech info and had no problem, but in general, their customer service isn't as smooth as some would like. Kind of like their owner's manuals -- they mean well, but something gets lost in the translation.
 
Extended warranties are really a cash grab for stores. Their risk is minimal - compared to the number of warranties they sell, versus the cost of repairing the few units that do come in under the warrantiy service, they come out WAAAYYY ahead.

On very big ticket items, it may offer you peace of mind, which is fine, but for the most part, they can be avoided......
 
The only time I got an extended service warranty was with my wifes laptop- and I got it through Toshiba.

2 years later, I dropped the laptop with a wireless card sticking out of its side- well, that card slot never worked again.

I brought it in for repair*, and the next day I had a laptop with a brand new MOTHERBOARD, for nothing.
Months later, the hard driver failed (I think because it was dropped again!) That got replaced while I waited. No hassels. I just said "this is broke- fix it." and they said "sure thing, buddy."

Over $1000 worth of repair work 2 years after the fact, for $300.

*Note: not far from me is a recommended TOshiba repair center. Sure, CompUSa can also do the repairs but SCREW THAT, I don't trust those guys with ANYTHING.

That being said- I wouldn't get the extra on the Fostex MR8 unless it came from fostex. Unless the place you are getting the warranty from will be as flexible as my Toshiba repair place was. Because the extended warranty is usually just a cash grab and when you have a problem they say "Sorry, we don't fix that."

THe cool thing about the MR8- it records WAV files which you can back up on your PC, and the songs are done with an ADL file format which is easy-peasy to read. If it breaks in a few years, you can easily pack up and move to a new platform. (or another MR8)
 
Great thoughts, all. We're five for five against... that's what I was thinking, but wanted to hear from a few voices of experience. Thanks so much for your input and your stories!
 
Don't bother

These extended warranties from retailers are usualy crap and just a way of getting more money out of you.

Fostex are relable products for the most part. I have had my vf160 for 18 motnths now with no problems, but of course it could break down tonight. I'll take that chance.

I don't know about the U.S. but here in England if I purchase something with my 'Switch' card I get an automatic two years 'guarantee' on it (no extra cost). The trouble is if it breaks you have to get an estimate for the cost of repair which the engineer will usualy charge you for. Even so, if the item is expensive its worth paying $50 for the estimate in order to get your item fixed or replaced.

Maybe some credit card companies in the States do something similar? Worth checking into this.
 
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