Sony price drops and rebates

[Thunder Struck]

So I'm looking at setting up a Sony A7S III. I noticed the price for this has dropped $300 now going for $3,498 at most retailers. Additionally there is a $100 rebate from Sony. Curiously, before the drop, the PX had that unit with a Tamron 70-300mm Lens and a second knock-off battery and carry/care kit for $50 less than the original price for the camera body, so it was pretty much a no brainer, considering the PX hadn't dropped the price on the camera body until today to that of others like B&H.

So, if the price for the kit doesn't drop along with the body, is the Tamron 70-300mm Lens worth $250? Current plan is to start with the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 full frame compact zoom lens for general wide angle shooting, then later go to the 90mm Sony FE f/2.8 G OSS macro lens with the focus of this rig being for in water. That Tamron lens would really just be for playing around on the surface.

PX is appealing to purchase from for lack of sales tax. A fair amount on a big ticket item like this.

But, B&H has an offering for the 3 year Sony care plan, for $280, that covers:

• Free Shipping and Rapid Turnaround Time
• Extended Parts & Labor Coverage for Manufacturer Defects | Sony Parts & Factory Certified Service
• Accidental Damage Protection | $0 Deductible | Includes All Recommended Annual Maintenance with Deep Cleaning, Sensor Cleaning, Inspection & Functionality Testing | Memory Card Recovery Service

I don't see that the PX offers this package, which is appealing. Especially with the accidental damage protection should there be a flood.

Or are there other commercially available plans for cameras that would be better than the Sony, or does Sony offer that package on registration of a product to all buyers regardless?

Otherwise I could have it shipped to family in a sales tax free state then ship to me if I really want to go around the sales tax issue. That would basically cover the cost of the 3 year Sony care plan.

 

[weeksd]

I would decide before august 1 as that is when trump tariffs hit. 25 % for japanese products

 

[Thunder Struck]

I would decide before august 1 as that is when trump tariffs hit. 25 % for japanese products

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll probably end up ordering it in the next week to ship to family out of state since I’ll be heading to Fiji soon enough.

 

[Thunder Struck]

Ok, so I found that I can purchase the protect plus plan direct from Sony. 2 years for $245 and 4 years for $401. Reading the terms and conditions, the handling damaged camera replacement under the protect plus allows for one no-deductible replacement during that period. Mujst be purchased within 365 days of product purchase.


From https://images.registria.com/system...SONY_Digital_Imaging_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

Further, if you purchased PROTECT PLUS then Your Contract provides the following additional coverage for:
• ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE FROM HANDLING (ADH): labor and/or parts required to repair Your Product, or at Our sole
discretion, replacement of Your original Product in lieu of repair in consideration of sudden and unforeseen ADH; such
as damage resulting from dropping the Product or in association with screen breakage or liquid.
• PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE: You are entitled to one “Clean and Check” service including: 1) cleaning of external
product, sensor, focusing screen/viewfinder, mirror box; 2) camera inspection and functional testing for exposure,
focus, and shutter; 3) firmware upgrades; and, 4) minor repairs and adjustments (if needed).


...

LIMIT OF LIABILITY
During the Term of Your Service Contract, the maximum amount that We are obligated to pay for services in connection with all
Claims pursuant to this Service Contract is:
• One Product replacement for a covered Claim for ADH damage (in which Your replacement product is ineligible for
continued coverage under Your original Contract); OR
• Two (2) Product replacements for covered Claims for Power Surge or Failures, as defined (in which Your replacement
products are automatically covered under Your original Contract for the remainder of You r Term); Whichever occurs
first

As an alternative I saw the Progressive offers insurance for cameras briefly outlined here:

Insurance for $199 worth of camera equipment costs as low as $2.75 per month with Progressive Electronic Device Insurance by Worth Ave. Group. Your premium will ultimately depend on how much coverage you want. If you file a claim with Worth Ave. for a covered camera repair or replacement, you'll pay a $50 deductible and insurance will pay out the rest of the bill up to the insured value.

So for a $3500 camera (body only for the A7S III), that's $48.37/month.

USAA offers coverage as a valuable personal property item for a fair bit less, just spitballing $13,000 worth of camera, housing, lenses, lights, etc, comes out to $239/year, just under $20/month and no deductible.

Advantage of the actual insurances is they would cover damage, theft, or loss of the camera and listed accessories, not just a damaged camera body.