Extended Warranty Feedback

[kinger]

Does anybody have anything good or bad to say about buying an extended warranty from 'somewhere'? I have seen several online outlets that sell these things and I was curious if anybody might have any feedback or could share any experiences. I passed when I bought the TV, but I see I can still get one from the on-line places.

I'm a little leery of these things.

Thanks,

[RobbQ]

A few thoughts on extended warranties;

- These days anything under $200 might as well be considered disposable.  It is usually easier to replace than to deal with the warranty.  I usually figure that skipping the extended warranty on small items pays for any replacements of ones that might fail.

- As a general rule I usually do not get the extended warranty on anything... unless there is a good reason.

- I bought one on my laptop (Bestbuy $300) because it does a lot of travelling and they said that they would replace the battery (Sony $200 plus), which they did at one year and I will surely need another by the time the warranty runs out.  I did not buy one on my wife's ibook because CompUSA's warranty does not cover the battery.  Just bought her a new battery last week ($129).

- I believe that it is generally felt that if you make it through the manufacturer's warranty period without a problem that you are more than likely to be fine.  Frankly, most warranties are really to protect you from manufacturers defects and most of those occur within the first few/months anyway (or so I understand).

- I bought the extended warranty on my Sony HDTV for two reasons.
1)  Being "new" technology I had no experience with problems that I might encounter with an HDTV.  
2)  I was told that if wanted a cleaning to call and say that my picture had degraded and they would clean it and check it.

Plus - Flanners price on the warranty was good and I had a better chance of getting a good tech from them who would know what they were doing.

I would say that if you thoroughly check out a warranty place (through here and other forums)  and it would make you feel better to get the warranty then go for it.  If others who have your set have encountered problems that might also be a reason to get the warranty.  My opinion would be that if you didn't buy it with the set and no reason has come up since to buy it then don't bother, save the money for your next HDTV

I hope that helps a little,
Robb

[jlegge]

This has been my take on any extended warranty.

Take the total dollar amount of the price of the extended warrantee and put it in some sort of investment account, even if it is as simple as savings account.

If you should ever need repairs to the unit, most often it does not exceed the price of the warrantee, plus you have been gaining interest on it this whole time.

The warrantee is a gamble. I've always been more comfortable going the sure route.

[Matt Heebner]

I guess I lucked out. When I bought my Mits RPTV from American in May 2001, they threw in a 36 mo. warrenty for no cost. If they hadn't, I probably would not have gotten the warrenty. Usually if something electronic is going to fail, it's gonna happen in the first 90 days when the manufacter's warrenty is in effect. Usually....


Matt