NYT: What to do when the warranty expires

[supersuds]

Thought this article by a Times reporter with a malfunctioning LG French door fridge would be of interest.

Basically, it suggests: 1) finding a factory authorized repairman; 2) buying appliances with a credit card that doubles the factory warranty; and 3) taking up the offer of an extended warranty if it is offered to you after the problem crops up. Sears offered her an extended warranty after they knew her fridge was broken!

If they will do that there is no reason to buy an extended warranty before you need it, apparently.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/your-money/household-budgeting/26shortcuts.html?ref=business

 

[combo52]

INTERESTING ARTICLE

But of course running a major appliance repair company we here stories like this daily. The real lesson is not to buy an LG, or Samsung or even a GE bottom freezer refrigerator in the first place.

 

[supersuds]

Lol

I was kind of thinking that, too.

 

[thomasortega]

What to do when the warranty expires...

1)Sit and cry!

2) Start praying asking God to make your appliance survive a few days more. LOL

 

[pierreandreply4]

story of a repair on a fridgedair fridge in this picture this fridge has had 2 repairs on it 1 was the whole circuit board that had to be change luckyly the fridge was still under warrenty when this repair happen and the second repair cost 200$ for changing a flip switch For the water. Sorry for the blurry picture

 

[laundromat]

Usually,before selling any type of service contract on any major appliance,the company insuring this has a tech come out to look at it and make sure it's in good working order. If it is in need of repair,they will charge the full amount,parts and labor as well as mileage.Then,after it is repaired,they'll let you get full coverage.So, if Sears is letting you get full coverage on the broken down refrigerator with no strings attached,go for it!!

 

[aegokocarat]

i always take extended warrenty's and i renew them when they expiere

 

[hunter]

who in the USA has found the best extended warranty?

I've found that Lowes has very reasonable prices.  I have used mine on various appliances, and had good luck.  Anyone else have any good luck?

 

[combo52]

EXTENDED WARRANTIES

Are never a good deal as you only average a 25%return on your outlay, playing the lottery is a much better deal as they usually pay back about 50% and you don't have to go through endless service calls by 2nd rate companies while they try to fix your appliance where you have very little if any control on how it is fixed and by who and when.

 

If you are buying an expensive appliance or car and you can't afford to keep it in repair you shouldn't be buying that product. People who buy service plans suffer more service problems and tend to keep thier appliances and cars for shorter periods of time than those who don't buy service contracts. And you will be almost guaranteed to have a much higher cost of ownership for your particular appliance than those that forgo contracts.

 

[3beltwesty]

extended warranty may or may not make sense

Some folks love and worship extended warranties ; while others view them as a sleazy con where the buyer is ripped off with an expensive about worthless add-on.

****Unless the fine print is read and understood, the extended warranty may or may NOT such a deal

There are some extended warranties sold that really buy one little, but cost a lot of money. In the old LA stereo stores often A "Ron Johnson of Fast Time at Ridgemont High" type often sold an extended warranty on tuners and amps that covered 10 years on transistors, but the fine print excluded the high output transistors. Ron's SPIF/Commission/kickback was higher on the extended warranty that the actual tuner or amp. The warranty did not cover electrolytic caps, the shortest life component!

Extended warranties are a big money maker on many consumer items. The profit often exceeds the actual product's profit you just bought on super sale. Thus when they sell you an extended warranty the store's profit often is double.

There are some stores who have been caught selling extended warranties; then after the sale have cancelled them. Thus the store pockets the added fees. Often this has been where a retailer is more sleazy and about ready to go under.

Extended warranties have had many decades of consumer compaints, since a sucker is born every day.

I bought a 150 buck extended warranty on 700 buck high end VHS camera and the warranty issuer went into bankruptcy, thus the added 150 bucks got flushed down the toilet. One has the fun of the retailer washing its hands, of dealing be in a giant pool of folks whining to the FTC.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/extended_warranty.html

 

[combo52]

EXTENDED WARRANTIES

3BW you just gave a half dozen good reasons why not to buy an extended warranty, what are the good reasons? you alluded to.

 

[3beltwesty]

One older part time employee of mine swears by them.

He has the extra time and knack to wear down these folks until they balk, thus *HE* often gets them to fix things, ie squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Thus since semi retired, he is the Mr Coupon, Mr Deal, Mr Extended Warranty!

He will show up and make a scene at the showroom, write letters and emails, be a thorn until the matter is fixed. Here I really have no time for such things, for him it is a game that he plays real well and has done for decades. ie the Tiger Woods of extended warranties; ie total master through massive experience.