The sales guys know how to push ‘em. That’s for sure…
Having purchased an extended warranty from a popular electronic store chain once (and only once) before, I can confirm that extended warranties at these specific stores are a pure rip off.
Read the contract carefully. Many chains will claim to give you a replacement, but only after you send the device back in 3 times to their repair center. Good luck getting a replacement after that third time, too. It didn’t work for me, even after I worked my way up the customer service food chain.
I’ll never purchase another extended warranty from an electronic chain again. What about you?
-Krishna
It depends. If you’re buying an Apple laptop, I’d buy AppleCare (Apple’s extended warranty plan)– when your laptop starts to malfunction (which it will, after a while,) AppleCare pays for it– otherwise, you’d have to pay the full cost. And when the full cost is $1000 for a new LCD panel, that $300 fee is looking pretty attractive!
THAT SAID, however, I’d be more leery about major chains’ warranties (though I’ve never had the good [or bad] fortune to sign up for one.
I’ve found that the service plan on Speakers at best buy is a good deal. Other than that I’m with you. I get it on speakers because it covers them if you blow them even subs. That’s pretty sweet. I used to work for geek squad years ago though and am all too familiar with the other shoddy warranty practices on computer products.
I paid $200 for my 2 yr warranty with a hp notebook. Without that, I’d be without mine now. I sent it back for screen and cd burner replacement. I’m glad I got mine.
My best friend had just bought the Platinum Plan at CompUSA when she found out (thru me) that they were going out of business. These plans had already been announced months earlier, and they STILL pushed the extended warranty, knowing full well they would never have to fulfill it. When she called, they gave her a run around about fixing a Windows OS problem. My friend went to the media and got a written guarantee that a specific company would honor her plan, and they did help her with the problem, though it was not the quality of Apple’s service.
I’ve had good experience with buying AppleCare – it’s come in handy a few times.
I find that the manufacturer’s extended warrantys are better then the store ones. I usually go for those unless the store one is cheaper. $40 for a 2yr on my 360 which covers everything ain’t bad.