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General discussion

warranties

Mar 20, 2005 5:12AM PST

Is the warranty for laptops worth it? I went to buy a notebook and the salesperson said it was essential - scared me into considering...but it is $500/3 years - seemed extreme for a $1400 item.

Discussion is locked

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Year 1 is manufacturer.
Mar 20, 2005 5:32AM PST

Year 2 is very important and after that, you figure.

Also, I've yet to get any feel for other than maker's warranties. Some have odd exclusions that if the repair exceeds the warranty fee they can refund your money and give you the still-busted laptop back.

Tip: If they want to sell you the warrnty, ask for the warranty to read then ask for a chair and start reading. Every time the salesperson goes nuts. That's a sign.

Bob

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I wouldn't bother...
Mar 20, 2005 6:17AM PST

if I were you. Most major problems will turn up in the first year anyway...and that's $500 you could use towards a new computer. The fact is that most of those companies make as much money on the extended warranties as they do on the equipment itself. (Profit margins are often quite thin.) The general rule is that...if they offer you the warranty...you either won't need it or they've written in an escape clause.

Also, many times (especially with automobile warranties) companies are just averaging out the cost of repairs anyway. So, if you're machine breaks, it might cost about $500 to fix at most (probably less)...otherwise it would need to be replaced...and that wouldn't be covered in the warranty. Another trick is to say things like, "Well, they don't make that part anymore...but for a few extra dollars..."

"Caveat Emptor" yo!

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Warranty
Mar 20, 2005 8:34AM PST

Are you able to name the specific company you went shopping at? $500 for a warranty is a little pricey. $250 is probably the norm. Did you ask if there were lower priced warranties?

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reply to rocks3906
Mar 21, 2005 12:18AM PST

The Company was Comp USA. The 2 year warranty was less - didn't inquire about a less expensive 3 year warranty. I walked out without purchasing and planned to do more research (so here I am!)
Thanks for your input!

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Reply
Mar 21, 2005 1:38AM PST

Ok i selected a random $1400 laptop on their website and then looked up the warranty info on that model. The most expensive warranty on their website is for $369 for 3 years. BestBuy warranties are only $250 for anything between 1000-1500 dollars. I am guessing there is some sort of "super duper" warranty that they try to push for $500 to get more money out of you. I dont know if they are or not, but their sales people might be on commision as well. Here is a link that has a list of their service plans.
Hope this helps you. Make sure whatever plan you go with or whatever company you go with that if you get a plan, that it covers normal wear and tear, power surges, the battery, and the screen. Anything less is foolish and anything more is a bonus.
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=317710&pfp=BROWSE&tabtype=ta#moreinfo

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thanks
Mar 23, 2005 3:21AM PST

The way he was describing it it did sound like a "Super-warranty"!
Thanks again for all your help!!