Home audio & video: Extended Warranty.........are they worth it????

Erm...

"I bought a sony laptop in 2001 which died 2 years later...If we hold manufacturers and businesses accountable and stop doing business with them when we're not pleased we won't need extended warranties."

If stores or manufacturers replaced products which died after two years, most all of the stores would go out of business. Furthermore, the cost of computers to places like Circuit City and Best Buy are typically more than what a consumer will pay for them.

Perhaps the businesses should hold consumers more responsible. If you were told of an extended service policy and declined it, then all liability should be yours. Try telling a story you'll demand a replacement in two years if your product is faulty and see how many laugh you out.

DIAF

Chances are they didnt screw you. The return policy is on the back of a receipt, If you were past your 30 days and you wanted to return it, they didnt screw you. Being able to return a product to a store is a PRIVILEGE not a right like most people think it is.

we dont make that much

i think i make like $.80 off of a $44.99 warranty

I'm affraid that I have to disagree with everything you said

"If the item you're buying comes with a rechargable battery, like a cell phone, get the service plan!"

(You can get most batteries for for $20-30 dollars, cheaper on ebay, and they last about two years, the phones themselves only last about two years before they start wearing out anyway, and every two years the providers will let you replace your phone for almost free anyway. Why is insurance a good decision in this case? I don't see it.)

"Headphones you use a lot are also a good thing to get them on. Less expensive items I would not worry about too much."

(Less expensive than earphones? I've owned 10-15 pair of earphones in my life...I've broken maybe two pair. They only cost 10-30 dollars. Why is this insurance a good idea in this case?)

"Computers: absolutely. Especially laptops! Laptops and computers: get the longest warranty available. I've seen 5 year ones REALLY pay off!"

(In two years, the Laptop will be obsolete. Do you really want to use a laptop for 5 years? How much does this 5 year insurance cost? Probably 300-500 dollars. In 4-5 years you will be able to replace this computer for $50 at a yard sale or off Ebay, but for some reason it is a good idea to give someone $500 to replace it in five years....just in case it fails (I.E. Very little chance that you will get your $500 worth of replacement back out of them)).

So this is interesting. It would seem that the guys that work in retail really believe this stuff? Must be brainwashing or something.

(NT) Different strokes for different folks

straight from the horses mouth

i know this situation all too well being one of those salesmen who offers it to you. honestly, i hate to ask it as much as you hate hearing it. unfortuatly if i want to keep my unpaying job i have to. i know, especially at this time of year, you want to get in and get out but theres that cashier asking a million questions. name, address, phone number, do you want a charge card?, want that extended warranty?, the list goes on. all i can say is "sorry, but i need this job".

all that being said there are times when it is worth it just as there are times when its not. any plan that covers a rechargable battery is usually a good bet, especially on things like ipods. those repair labor costs are crazy! other then that though, unless its a high ticket item or something you know is going to break, you might as well just hand the store some extra money

That was my point also, John

I only buy extended warranties on high-risk items and laptops are a high risk item in my book. I don't buy extended warranties on anything else.

I've heard people say that keeping the warranty money can offer you enough to purchase a new item for one gone bad. That is negating the fact that maybe more than one item may go bad. LOL It has also been said that purchasing a high quality item is better than an average item plus warranty. Who makes a better quality item without including the cost of the warranty without giving us the warranty? A question more than a point of fact. That is, higher quality costs more to start with but the factory warranty is still one year plus what ammenity a creditcard company may give you. So what have you gained by paying more when a power surge/lightning strike takes out your power supply after the normal warranty period? Homeowners insurance hardly covers computer part damaged if you have $500 deductible, often the case. Lightning damage can be subtle without a trace, a blown capicator and/or micro-resistor in the power supply.
Yes, John - there is a lot to give consideration to and I think some people make good choices taking an extended warranty on certain items, but surely not every item they buy.