worth paying for service contract on Olympus Fluoview confocal?

Posted by Vernita Gordon on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/worth-paying-for-service-contract-on-Olympus-Fluoview-confocal-tp6592259.html

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Hello,

I am a new assistant professor still settling into my lab (and still working
entirely off startup funds).  A little less than a year ago, I bought an
Olympus Fluoview laser-scanning confocal microscope.  This came with a
one-year service contract.  Renewing that service contract for next year
will cost $20k.

We don't do very demanding things on this confocal and so far haven't had
problems with it.  My question is, does anyone have perspective on whether
paying for this service contract is worthwhile?

I am leaning toward not doing so and hoping things continue to go well, but
this is also my first time working with an Olympus confocal and I don't have
a good sense for whether or not I should expect problems (and, if they
arise, if they're likely to cost more than $20k to fix).

Thanks,

Vernita