Sony USA has announced plans to buff up their console warranty program. Dubbed the PlayStation Protection Plan, the new service allows customers to buy an extra year or two year extension to the 1 year warranty which comes free with the console.
The US prices are as follows
PS3 – 1-year extension ($44.99) or 2-year extension ($59.99)
PSP – 1-year extension ($29.99) or 2-year extension ($39.99)
Furthermore, Sony is offering an accidental damage warranty on the PSP, which covers damage resulting from the users’ actions, such as dropping the console.
PSP Accidental Damage – 1-year ($39.99) or 2-year ($49.99).
It is important to note that this is not a guarantee, and Sony will merely cover the costs of repairing the console, as opposed to replacing it altogether.
Unfortunately, this program is only being implemented in the USA right now, although we did get in touch with Sony’s local representative Ster Kinekor who stated that they are looking at updating the current local warranty program, which is great, because the current system is not ideal.
If you’re console breaks after its first year (which, face it, is not very long), you can expect to pay around R2200 to repair it. Furthermore, you will have to go through Partserve as they are the official PS3 servicers in SA. MyGaming contributor Michael Van Gelder wrote about his experience with Partserve a while back: The PS3 Warranty Program Grinds My Gears. There are of course alternative options, and many PS3 owners take their damaged consoles to third-party repairers, but for the sake of this article, we will stick to the official recourse.
The reality is that Sony does not handle PlayStation in SA, SterKinekor does. Fortunately, they are looking at possible ways to improve the current warranty program, and it should be interesting to what they come up with. We will keep a close eye on any developments regarding the local PS3 warranty program going forward.
Out of interest, would you pay and extra R350 or R450 for an extra year or two of warranty coverage? Share your thoughts in the forums.
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