I think that due to the subject of the "original" thread, that we should let that thread die a natural death. The topic has swayed to a more general discussion. Hope that's all right.
On 09/02/04 00:03 ET, Johnny Canuck said...
Read the fine print is a very good point and eakf
also raises another one about setting your own
reasonable criteria for when to purchase an extended
warranty. My criteria might not be exactly the
same, and I would add one more point ... what
are the odds that you will not want to upgrade
the unit, but would prefer next generation, by
the time the warranty runs out (on less expensive
purchases ... not big ticket items).
Good point, yourself, Johnny. I would use that criteria too if I didn't hold on to all my equipment until it was only worth $0.50 at a garage sale. :)
That said, I can attest to very good treatment
from my Gold MasterCard on a 30 day purchase protection
claim (dropped my brand new Maui Jim's and scratched
the lenses ... MC said no problem and reimbursed
me for the replacement purchase as soon as I sent
them the damaged shades). I can also say that
Amex treated me very well on an extended warranty
claim (although I can't remember what the claim
was).
My problem (with VISA) is that they didn't clearly state that I had to go to a certain repair centre in my area. I was simply told I needed a written estimate of the repair from someone authorized to repair the monitor - made sense. Then, after I paid $30 for the estimate, I was told it had to be the repair store they recommend. I was out the $30, but VISA did come through on the rest.
I think what burns me the most is the - almost high pressure - sales tactics major retail chains are using to sell their extended warrantees. I'm not fooled by it, but when my wife goes to buy something, she almost can't help herself. I think the stores make only marginal profits on the products, but see great revenues in the "warranties" that will probably never be used.
Contrast this with the manufacturer's pressure to create better products, cheaper and the consumer is led to believe that it's a near certainty that their product is going to fail.
If you're not a knowledgeable consumer, it's like walking through a financial mine-field to buy any new electronics. You could say the same about Cars and appliances as well. I remember the time when I bought my first cell phone. No extended warrantee and it lasted me years. The thing just worked. No video games, no cameras, no colour screen. I replaced it (while it was still working) to get one that worked overseas (GSM). Now I'm buying a phone every year. Not for the features, but because the things just die a myriad of untimely deaths. Software problems, hardware problems, battery problems (thought they are getting better with that). I just wish main-stream manufacturers began focusing on quality again.
OK, I think I'm done - for now.
