By James Wells

SYDNEY: Canon has announced an extended warranty program for its digital imaging products through all mass merchant consumer electronics, photographic and IT stores which increase the period from one to three years.

According to Canon Australia consumer imaging products group product manager, Chris Kearney, the offer is designed to make its products more accessible to customers.

"Previously a genuine Canon warranty extension was only available directly from Canon," said Kearney.

The program is based upon a ‘Return to Canon for Repair’ policy, allowing customers to return their product for repair under the warranty to any authorized Canon repairer nationally.

"This new offer means our customers now have the choice to add an additional 24 months genuine warranty at their point of purchase of a Canon product, to ensure peace of mind for longer,” Kearney said.

“The great news for our reseller partners is they can now offer a genuine Canon extended warranty and have a greater share in the success of Canon. This will assist our partners in providing a more complete customer solution and will also add profitability to their businesses."

The extended warranty extends across four separate price bands.

For products priced between $1 and $499, the warranty will cost consumers $99; for products priced between $500 and $999, the warranty will cost consumers $149, for products priced between $1,000 and $1,999, the warranty will cost $199 and for products priced between $2,000 and $2,999, the warranty will cost $249. Extended warranties for products priced at more than $3,000 will continue to be managed directly from Canon.