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Well, there's no more pictures for a while, because I managed to crack the screen on my digital camera, somewhere between my trips to Utah, VA and back to Texas. We figured it would cost more to fix than the camera was worth, and we were right. There was a glimmer of hope last night, when I dug out the receipt and discovered that the salesweasels at BestBuy had added a $59.99 service plan to our purchase. I distinctly remember the jabbering salesguy telling us that this fabulous plan would come in handy, in case something crazy happened to the camera - like a cracked screen. I also remember saying no to the service plan, but apparently we'd purcased one.

Well, apparently the BestBuy Performance Service Plan only exists so that managers can get a bonus for foisting them on unsuspecting customers. The ever helpful idiots over at the Geek Squad informed me that my screen had been broken by impact, hence it was not covered. Duh! How else does an LCD screen get cracked? That was the original salesguy's main talking point when he tried to talk us into buying the plan - "What if your screen gets cracked, won't you be glad you purchased this plan?"

After some more talking and wrangling, during which I refused to give them another $24.99 for shipping and handling so that some Best Buy lackey in another state can refuse to fix my camera, I moved on to the Service Plan. I've paid $60 for a 4 year service plan. Six months into the plan, I now own what is essentially garbage. If Best Buy won't fix my camera, I should get a prorated refund on the now worthless service plan. The manager and other Best Buy slave looked at me like I've sprouted another head. We left shortly afterward - and I do feel sorry about the goofball manning the door who thanked me for coming to Best Buy - I had a few words for him and poor suckers at the checkout line.

Later in the car, as I re-read the service plan, I found the paragraph that clearly states I can cancel the plan at any time, and receive a prorated refund. While this does not give me back my camera or the money I wasted on it, at least I won't have tossed out another $60 for nothing. My advice - say no to store service plans - the manufacturer's warranty will cover any actual defects, and the extended warranty offered by the seller is just a cash cow for them. Today I will have the pleasure of going back to their store and squeezing my $53.09 back out of their manager. I hope someone's bonus get's cut too.