Extended Warranty's - do you need them?

[finfan]

I just bought a new receiver from Vanns that I am pretty excited about. It was the Onkyo TXNR3008. They had it for $1230.00 with no tax and free shipping. The receiver comes with a Onkyo manufactures warranty for 2 years. On Onkyo's website you can even purchase a 2 year extension warranty for $85.00. So that's 4 years of coverage for $85.00. The only draw back is if something happens I have to drive it to the nearest authorized service center which is about an hour and a half drive.

The other choice is buy Vann's extended warranty for $125.00 for 3 years. So really you are only getting one year extra after the manufactures warranty runs out. However Vann's will pay for shipping each way and if they can't fix it - they will give you the total cost of what you paid for your receiver.

If you had a choice what would you do? Just curious because sometimes I will buy an extended warranty and sometimes I won't.
__________________

[tommyboy]

I just bought a new receiver from Vanns that I am pretty excited about. It was the Onkyo TXNR3008. They had it for $1230.00 with no tax and free shipping. The receiver comes with a Onkyo manufactures warranty for 2 years. On Onkyo's website you can even purchase a 2 year extension warranty for $85.00. So that's 4 years of coverage for $85.00. The only draw back is if something happens I have to drive it to the nearest authorized service center which is about an hour and a half drive.

The other choice is buy Vann's extended warranty for $125.00 for 3 years. So really you are only getting one year extra after the manufactures warranty runs out. However Vann's will pay for shipping each way and if they can't fix it - they will give you the total cost of what you paid for your receiver.

If you had a choice what would you do? Just curious because sometimes I will buy an extended warranty and sometimes I won't.
__________________

Don't bother with the onkyo warranty, I brought my reciever to local center (which was a local electronic repair shop that was a complete WRECK, about a 40 min drive for me), and the guy could barely speak english, and after having it for at least a week he said couldn't find a problem, it took months to finally have it fixed. Maybe consider the vann's warranty if you want to be safe, otherwise pass.

You could have a completely different experience then I did though so do whatever floats your boat

[ryanjoachim]

I say no to extended warranties unless it's on a vehicle.

[Joe08867]

Just on cars and home appliances. Worked out on my washing machine. Saved me a bundle.

[engtaz]

I get them through Square Trade and have had good luck with them.

[steveinaz]

I normally don't get extended warranties, but I had an offer (from panasonic) for my Panasonic plasma for 50% off their extended warranty--so I went for it. It was only $99 bucks for an additional 2 years.

[TECHNOKID]

Generally speaking, extended warranties are a big scam period. The odd plays in their favor, rarely will the equipment fail within the warranty period. The only time I ever bought any extended warranty was because I was too lazy to remove the built-in washer from under the counter as I tought it was worth a few extra coins just incase it failed earlier. Think about it, if maintained and threated properly any piece of electronic, appliance and even cars will not fail for years unless there is defect and usually there are laws in place which will protect you (fair lifespan estimation of a product) and are well behond manufacturers warranties. Extended warranties are gold mine for the dealers, they suck more money out of you without any work/effort for it.

EDIT:

I normally don't get extended warranties, but I had an offer (from panasonic) for my Panasonic plasma for 50% off their extended warranty--so I went for it. It was only $99 bucks for an additional 2 years.

Sorry, I had extended warranties on 2 other products. One was on a discounted cell phone and was offered to me for next to nothing and was a good idea as this product was no longer available and it allowed me to get equivalent replacement for no charge. The other one was given to me at no cost when I bought my laptop which was also a good idea since laptop travel and get a beating. If you can get the warranty at no cost or near, that might be a good move otherwise it is a rip off.

[stuwee]

Don't bother with either. But I don't own one of these fancy, problematic AVR's either so what do I know?

[sucks2beme]

The problem with all warranties is it's cost +.
It's like the casino, the house always comes out ahead.
For every winner there's 10 losers.

[aviator]

Don't bother with the onkyo warranty, I brought my reciever to local center (which was a local electronic repair shop that was a complete WRECK, about a 40 min drive for me), and the guy could barely speak english, and after having it for at least a week he said couldn't find a problem, it took months to finally have it fixed. Maybe consider the vann's warranty if you want to be safe, otherwise pass.

You could have a completely different experience then I did though so do whatever floats your boat

Sounds like my experience with a Denon DVD3800. In Denon's local authorized repair shop 2 times, they claimed they fixed it but didn't. 3rd time they sent it to Denon up around New Jersey where it stayed 8 weeks. It came back fixed, but the fix only lasted a couple of weeks. Needless to say, that was the first and last Denon I'll ever own.

Extended warranties are a auto-reject item with me.

[finfan]

I get them through Square Trade and have had good luck with them.

Square trade is who Vanns extended warranty is through!

[exalted512]

I typically only get them on cars or SOME things. We didn't on our fridge or tv, both big scale electronics.

The guy at Best Buy almost lost the damn sale because he kept pestering me with it. I told him if he thought it was such a POS that it needed the warranty that bad, then I'm going to take my business elsewhere and get a more reliable product.

"Oh no sir, we're not saying that, its just that you never know"

-Cody

[finfan]

It just seems like every time I say no to the extended warranty then something goes wrong!

[polrbehr]

It just seems like every time I say no to the extended warranty then something goes wrong!

It doesn't seem that way, it IS that way.

Rules of Life - # 42 (or 41, get 'em mixed up sometimes)


Seriously, for about $100? You can sleep better, and it's not a bank-breaker either way.

[cstmar01]

its really up to you. I've had good luck with my stuff, but then again sometimes wish I would have put it on some little things like a camera or something that busted way too early.

Most of the time you won't need it, sometimes if the price is right on one and depending on what they cover I might take it.

[zingo]

I would only get an extended warranty if it is easy and convenient for you; i.e. in home or local drop off and pick up.

[madmax]

I "self warranty" all my purchases. Sure, it would suck if a new 3K flat screen gave out right after the normal warranty period or a 6K tranny repair was necessary but truthfully if I add up ALL the waranties I've skipped it is well over the amount of the occasional misbehaving item.

[gdb]

I am about to purchase a Keurig cup type coffee maker that is notorious for breaking in the 13th month after the 12 month warr. has expired. Approx.$18 will cover the $150 machine for 3 years, you betcha I'm getting the warranty!

[TECHNOKID]

I am about to purchase a Keurig cup type coffee maker that is notorious for breaking in the 13th month after the 12 month warr. has expired. Approx.$18 will cover the $150 machine for 3 years, you betcha I'm getting the warranty!

Personally I would buy a better quality coffee maker which will last me 4 years or is it for years?

[polkfarmboy]

My ps3 has broke 6 times and it got repaired each time because of a $30 extention on it so yes go for it

[gdb]

Personally I would buy a better quality coffee maker which will last me 4 years or is it for years?

The whole concept flew right over your head, I think. $18 for up to three years of use/repair or a full refund if less than 3yrs. IMO the K-cup is the best cup of coffee available at home without having to have a half-ton machine like starbucks has. You up in Canada still boil yours in a pan, right? JK, had some exquisite coffee in Montreal several times while at the Bonaventure hotel.

[TouchOfEvil]

I have gotten them from time to time. Depends on the item really. I have 3 kiddies so i don't mind spending 50 bucks to cover my furniture. We got an extended warranty on our washing machine since it was only 30bucks. We had a small problem with it as well so seemed like a good idea to get the extended coverage.

[TECHNOKID]

You up in Canada still boil yours in a pan, right?

Hey don't laugh, I'm the one that can afford to laugh. I paid less for the pan 30 years ago than what you paid for your extended warranty for your coffee maker and the pan still makes the best coffee that can be found in Canuck land (not counting I do not have to reset the clock after every power failure).

[finfan]

I'll take a Mr. Coffee make any day. They are cheap and they last forever. The last one I got rid of it because I was bored. It lasted loner than my first marriage.

[gdb]

Hey don't laugh, I'm the one that can afford to laugh. I paid less for the pan 30 years ago than what you paid for your extended warranty for your coffee maker and the pan still makes the best coffee that can be found in Canuck land (not counting I do not have to reset the clock after every power failure).

You are right, but I'd still buy an unbroken flywheel instead of trying to do a half-assed, glue repair() if I were in your shoes!:tongue:

[Rivrrat]

I don't do extended warranties, and the best cup of coffee I've had came out of a 30 dollar french press.

[Toxis]

I figure it that if I'm buying nice enough equipment and I have it properly protected from surges, I don't need to worry about the life expentancy... Warranties are not cheap typically and rarely are worth the hassle in the long run. Not always, but I hear 10 horror stories to one "I got lucky" stories. I'll save my money and just buy new if it goes bad. No matter what it is.

[pdxfj]

I am in the same group as very rarely have an issue, but did buy an extended warranty on my referb. Onkyo AVR. Wasn't much $ and figured what the hell. Doesn't bother me if I ever use it or not.

The Yamaha AVR and Polk speakers I bought new back in the late '90's are still working just fine and are currently being used on my office computer.