Why do I have to buy a warranty???

[Deleted]

It's like the company is telling me I can buy their product, but if I want to be sure it works I better give them a few hundred more. Doesn't a company have an obligation to sell you a product that works???

[thyme4change]

If you are talking about Best Buy and such, it really is that Best Buy will warranty the product of a third-party manufacturer. So, really you are buying an additional warranty. Best Buy then becomes responsible for servicing any products and the related costs of that servicing. This is an additional service that Best Buy offers, that is above and beyond what the actual manufacturer of the product will offer.

Although, I don't know how you would apply that to the Best Buy private label brand Insignia. Technically, it is Best Buy's brand - but we all know it is still manufactured by an outside company.

If you are talking about an actual manufacturer that is asking you to buy a warranty along with the product, well then they are probably trying to reduce the selling cost to be competitive, but still keep profit margins high enough to cover their fixed overhead.

[dancinmama]

Jan 19, 2011 13:35:42 GMT -5 @justaposter said:

It's like the company is telling me I can buy their product, but if I want to be sure it works I better give them a few hundred more. Doesn't a company have an obligation to sell you a product that works???

I TOTALLY agree. I research the product that I plan to purchase and buy accordingly without any extended warranties.

I was researching an Electrolux dishwasher because I liked the price, features, inside configuration, etc. Then I started to look at consumer reviews. When more than one person had complained of mechanical problems (that required a repairman), I immediately ruled it out.

[dancinmama]

Jan 19, 2011 13:48:51 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

If you are talking about Best Buy and such, it really is that Best Buy will warranty the product of a third-party manufacturer. So, really you are buying an additional warranty. Best Buy then becomes responsible for servicing any products and the related costs of that servicing. This is an additional service that Best Buy offers, that is above and beyond what the actual manufacturer of the product will offer.

Yes, but I don't know that I would call Best Buy's offer to "let you purchase" an extended warranty a "service". It is a huge money maker for them and the cashiers are "asked" to sell X amount of extended warranties over a certain time period. I can't remember how many over what period of time, but DS used to work there.

[thyme4change]

Also, years ago when Best Buy first started pushing the purchased warranty, they announced in their quarterly investor's conference call that they expected sales from the warranty to grow their business by some crazy percentage - but that the profit from that business was even more ridiculous. For anyone that could do the math, you would know that buying the warranty was a suckers deal.

[thyme4change]

I would call Best Buy's offer to "let you purchase" an extended warranty a "service".

Technically, the warranties are not mandatory to walk out with the product. So, even if you get a hard-sell, it is still your decision.

The extended warranty isn't the service, the work they would have to do if you need to have the product repaired is the service. That is done at Best Buy's expenses - they do not send it back to the manufacturer.

Yes, it is an extremely profitable business for them.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

[8 Bit WWBG]

There are a few products where it might be worthwhile, and perhaps for the accident prone, things could work out. But I agree, it is a big moneymaker.

A few years ago, the extended warranty would provide new laptop batteries for free. That alone made it worthwhile.

[Sum Dum Gai]

A few years ago, the extended warranty would provide new laptop batteries for free. That alone made it worthwhile.

Depends on how much you're paying for the warranty, and how much the batteries are. In my experience anything that makes the warranty a "no brainer" is usually based on some shaky math.

[Cookies Galore]

I'm not an extended warranty kind of person, but we did get the EW when we bought our new TV. That thing is just so awesome and beautiful, I don't want anything happening to it! A couple of people told stories about something happening on their TV around the 2.5 year (different brands) that made us think $40 for BJ's two year extended warranty wasn't that bad.

[Sum Dum Gai]

Yabut, if something happens at the 2.5 year mark, like the people in the stories you heard, a 2 year warranty won't do you much good.

[Cookies Galore]

Jan 19, 2011 14:35:31 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Yabut, if something happens at the 2.5 year mark, like the people in the stories you heard, a 2 year warranty won't do you much good.

It will when the two-year warranty kicks in after the initial 15-month warranty from the manufacturer ends. I also hope to not use the warranty, so it's all flushed cash.

[thyme4change]

By the time the TV is 39 months old, you won't want it repaired. They will come out with some new technology, and you will be able to replace your current model for so cheap, it just won't be worth fixing your old POS.

[Sum Dum Gai]

They're supposed to have 3D TVs that don't require glasses out in 3-5 years. I don't know how the technology works, but it's all built into the TV somehow. I'll probably be upgrading to that, just for the porn if nothing else.

[thyme4change]

ROFL

[Cookies Galore]

Jan 19, 2011 14:39:55 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

By the time the TV is 39 months old, you won't want it repaired. They will come out with some new technology, and you will be able to replace your current model for so cheap, it just won't be worth fixing your old POS.

We just replaced a 15-year-old 25" TV that is still perfectly fine, why would I want a TV that is junk after three years? I'm watching that thing until it dies! ;D That's just my thinking, though.

lol on the 3-D porn, Dark. ;D

[Deleted]

LOL Dark

I don't buy warranties! With what I have saved already it would cover repairs on any repair I might need in future.

[sesfw]

When hubby worked for KMart at the headquarters he was told that EWs are free money for the company.

I've never considered buying them. If the product is going bad, it usually will within the regular warrantee period.

[reader79]

I had a Best Buy cashier try to give me a hard sell on a warranty for a pair of $10 headphones. It was an additional $6. I was like, seriously?

[sil]

I just bought 2 carseats from Babies R Us and both times I was asked if I wanted to buy an extended warranty.

So now I'm responsible if a safety device is defective?

[tundrated]

The sales pitches on these drive me nuts. The employee's selling them always over promise on what the warranties cover. My brother bought one for his iPod a couple of years ago from Best Buy. He was told it would include anything other then theft/lost/water damage. Sure enough, 2 weeks later he drops a dumbbell on the iPod at the gym. Best Buy then refused to replace it, even though the employee selling it promised it covered any damage other then water damage.

I have only bought these for a couple of items. They are a good idea for computers/laptops I believe because warranties have gotten so short for these items.

[TheOtherMe]

I rarely buy an warranty. I made an exception on a PC as it was recommended by my computer guy. Has already paid off with an on-site computer repair.

Bought one for my HD tv and almost had to use when a 5 year old almost put a microphone stand through it.

[formerexpat]

I'll probably be upgrading to that, just for the porn if nothing else.

[/size]

I'm sure you'll be second guessing this decision when Ron Jeremy is swinging it towards you.

[schildi]

Jan 20, 2011 17:26:55 GMT -5 tundrated said:

I have only bought these for a couple of items. They are a good idea for computers/laptops I believe because warranties have gotten so short for these items.

No, they are not worth the money, and that includes computers / laptops, believe me.

[TD2K]

My credit card also doubles the manufacturer's warranty up to an extra year which makes extended warranties even less desireable.

[gsbrq]

I never buy warranties; I just charge it on a credit card that offers extended warranty protection, then pay it off that month.

[piratesparrot]

I feel the same way. If your product is so great that I should buy it then you should stand behind it for a reasonable amount of time. My real pet peeve is when they want you to buy insurance on your package at the post office. Why do I need to pay you extra to insure you do the job I am already paying you to do. I would like to charge people fees at work to make sure that I return phone calls and follow through.

[Deleted]

It depends on the product. The newer TV's... Oh yes. They are way to expensive (for my taste) to replace if something goes wrong. Someone I know, got one right before Christmas... Three days after Christmas, the side of it blue out and the screen melted.