Panasonic refurb question (lumix)

[britfish]

Thanks to all the good advice I got on here for a digital camera I purchased the Lumix ZS7. I got it about a month before we went to Disney and loved it, until DH dropped it and cracked the frame two days in to our trip Panasonic said that they can replace it with a discounted refurbished model for $150. The refurb has a 90 day warranty. Would you get a refurb or just get another new one? It looks like Amazon right now is aobut $230.
I've never purchased refurbished electronics so I am a little leary of $150 but I am hoping someone here has some advice!

 

[Gillennj]

I have bought a lot of "refurbished" and scratch and dent computers from the Dell Outlet, but I am comfortable with it since I fix Dells every day in my job, so I know if there is anything wrong with it. From this experience, I know what Dell sells as refurbs are pretty much brand new machines that may have had a part replaced.

The problem is, of course, each company has a different definition of refurbished. I also deal with a lot of smart phones, and warranty replacements from Sprint are usually refurbs and I have gotten some real junk as replacements.

Your question is, is saving $80 worth the risk. I would go with the refurb myself, since if it will fail, it will likely fail well within the 90 period, and you should know if it's junk within 10 minutes of using it. Just make sure you can return it without hassle if you do decide to return it.

 

[tripletots]

If you belong to Costco, they sell the ZS6 for $159.00. They had them on line last week but they are apparently gone now, but they are in store.

My son has the ZS3 from last Christmas. He dropped it in a stream taking pictures for one of his art classes. The camera works, but the screen is black so he can't see what he's filming or photographing. Kinda stinks for him because his art class is a video class this semester. I looked at Costco to replace it, but I need to stop replacing everything he breaks. Over $300 to replace his laptop HD screen that fell off the top bunk because he fell asleep while writing a paper, he lost his bluetooth mouse and Bose headphones that he got for Christmas). He's draining me.............My heart says replace it, my brain says make him replace it.

Oh, and when I contacted Panasonic they would replace his for $189.00! You got a better deal, but the new one at Costco is much better.

 

[blessedby3]

I had a Panisonic Lumix and it developed a problem right after the warranty--of course. It wouldnt zoom in and out. They wanted quite a bit to even look at it...I said no thanks and I wont be buying another Panisonic. I now have a camera that will take pictures, but wont zoom...which is the reason I bought this particular one, for the great zoom.