Home audio & video forum: Extended Warranties a scam?

Before I bought my new 72" monster I first checked out the phone book and called all the factory repair centers in my area to make sure they would honor the factory warrenty on my make and model. Lets face it you get a year factory warrenty but its useless unless it can be serviced locally other wise plan to spend a ton of money sending shipping that monster god who knows where also if that set works fine the first year extended warrentys are a waste of money stewee

My dear stewee, "If my TV doesnt break in the first year its not going to" is a very foolish philoposhy. I can't even stress how many people call with broken items that are past the manufacturers warranty. They first call the manufacturer and after they find out it is not covered anymore, they call us, i guess in hopes that we magically offer a longer, free, in store warranty. After i find out that they did not purchase the EW i have to tell them nicely that they are SOL.

Interesting,

Like all extended warranties, you have to give a lot of thought on whether it is going to be a good investment or not for your particular situation.

Most people succumb to the sales pressure at the point of sale, and this is the biggest mistake you can make, no matter which type of extended warranty service contract you are considering.

The best advice is JUST SAY NO, and then, in your spare time, search the internet for all the extended warranties and do your due dilligence, check coverage, prices, length of terms which fit your specific useage patterns.

Most people never use the average consumer product extended warranties, so it is less likely a good investment for most, so don't jump until you do your research. You can usually purchase these consumer electronics extended warranties as long a factory warranty is still in place, so don't rush.

When it comes to extended auto warranties, this too is now available after your purchase, so do your research. Traditionally, the only place you could purchase an extended auto warranty was at the new or used car dealers and way over inflated prices. What most people don't know is auto dealers often times make more profit selling extended warranties than they do selling cars.

The point is, don't fall for the buy it now extended warranties. Wait, do your research and you will always end up with the better coverage at the best prices if you research industry after you get home and are able to think it over, and decide whether you even need one to begin with. Avoid high pressure sales pitches at all cost.

Good luck to all,
www.NanoDetonator.mywfl.com

The only extended warranty I have ever bought in my life was not even for myself, but for my electronics-abusing brother.

I know of a doctor, who is a very knowledgable (and spend-happy) audiophile who used to work for BB. He says straight up that they were pushed to sell these warranties because they were pure cash-cows.

OTOH, I remember some, like Dan perhaps, that received affordable and flexible warranties thru Sony. I know that Panasonic was asking an arm an a leg for my tv. 1/3 of the cost in fact, which I find completely ridiculous.

15% seems reasonable. Maybe. Remember guys, these stores are going to make you use the manufacturer's warranty anyways, for however long that lasts. So, if you buy a 3 yr warranty on a unit that already is covered for 2-yrs, you are really only getting a 1 yr warranty.

ultimate electronic uses them, and every local repair shop in my area does work for them.

I used them once on a old CRT projection TV, they fixed it within a week, it needed all new CRT guns.

good luck
gabe