Extended Warranty...how can I lose?

[LIP MAN]

So my friend purchased an extended warranty from Visions. TV was a Sony Wega 720p 50" rear projection TV. Actually really nice picture and all that. Crapped out, and the new part is 1000 dollars.

My question is, is do they have to replace the amount shown on the tv, or replace it with a tv with identical specs. Much thanks!!!

[ken0042]

My experience is whichever is the lesser cost is the way they will go. Not Visions specifically, but that would be my guess.

But any 50" Sony they sell now would still be a nice upgrade.

[Eric Vail]

My experience is that they promise you the moon when they sell the extended warantee. When you try to claim service, the rules are entirely different than what was promised.

This isn't specific to Visions, but to all extended warantees that I have dealt with.

[EDBTZ12]

Extended warranties are bs. They tell so many lies it's not even funny.

I have a friend who works for Future Shop and he tells me the manager pretty much tells them to lie. Extended warranties are a huge money maker.

I've been screwed over twice by future shop. The first time i bought a Rogers phone from FS ans 2 months later my phone wrecked so i took it back expecting to get a brand new one since thats what the employee who sold me my Ext warr told me. I paid i think 60 dollars for 3 years and when i took it to them they told me they no longer deal with Rogers and had to deal with Rogers. I ended up calling them and no one would take responsibility of replacing my phone.

The second time is when i bought a used big screen off the paper. I was super pumped because the playoffs were about to start and this was the only reason i bought the t.v. The t.v had a extended warr also so we tranferred it under my name. The t.v's bulb blew before i even had a chance to watch a game. It took them 70 days to fix my tv. The warranty clearly stated after 60 days they would replace it if not fixed within the 60 days. I went down to FS i even called the head office but no luck. I ended up taking back my old t.v and have never stepped foot back into FS.

[justafan]

I had the extended warranty on my T.V. which was a big old Sony bought 6 years ago at Future Shop. Repairman came 3x to fix it, replacing tubes etc and it wasn't cheap but it was covered. Repairman on third visit said it was toast and he would report to Future Shop and I would likely receive new t.v. They don't make those old Sony dinosaurs anymore, so I received a new Sony L.C.D. It paid off for me.

[edn88]

The only extended warranty I have ever bought has been for my xbox (since the probability of it failing has been almost 100% per year) and for my car stereo setup (it was pricey, and was concerned about installation).

Other than that, I have self insured on extended warranty (ie. didn't buy it), and I would guess that on the amount of money I have saved over the time I have been buying electronics, I could easily replace two or three high end pieces of equipment and still be ahead.

As mentioned before, extended warranties are a huge cash cow for the electronics shops - and they have to be - they need to be able to cover so much potential problems. And really if your electronics is a dud, I find it fails most of the time in the first year (see xbox).

[ken0042]

Guys, let's try to keep this on topic. The OP had a question about people's experiences with making claims and what he can expect.

[csnarpy]

I've used the Visions extended warranty before - 3 years later, recieved a brand new LCD no questions. Ended up with a better model and I didn't pay anything.

The best thing i like about Visions warranty over other stores (future crap & worst buy, etc...) is that if you don't use the warranty, you get it back fully in store credit.

[redforever]

For me, the decision comes down to the item I am purchasing. So small time electronics, no, I dont buy the extended warranty. And same for computers, my IT guy said, in all likelihood, if something is going to go wrong, it will happen within the first year anyhow, and in that case, you are already covered.

But for anything major, like say a TV worth a couple of grand, or major household appliances, yes, I always buy them.

I live in the country, and it costs almost as much as the extended warranty to even get a guy out here, and that is upfront cost, before they even look at anything.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

For me an extended warranty varies depending on the product. I've put it on every digital camera I purchased for myself (all two) but one required servicing, and the others battery doesn't hold the charge it used to. Had the lens casing fixed on the first, and a replacement battery for the second. Both times it was worth it.

I've put it on headphones, and had them replaced when they broke. The extended warranty clearly said two replacements over 3 years. Replaced both times no hassle.

I've replaced cordless phone batteries and had a cordless phone replaced (still have the replacement).

I think it comes down to a few things.

1 - The product itself. Extended warranty on headphones, rechargeable batteries is always worth it (the chemicals will start to break down after 1.5 - 2 years anyway, you can't test them so replace). Is an extended warranty on an LCD TV worth it? Judging by this thread yes, haha but for all intents and purposes no.

2 - The store's policy. Some stores replace some products, some stores repair. It's something to check. The other thing to check into is does it cover more than manufacturer warranty? For example, does the extended warranty cover the batteries as well, manufacturer does not. Most electronics shops offer a coverage beyond the manufacturer on laptops, ie: Source covers battery and power cord replacement, Staples covers physical damage.

3 - The store's employees themselves. If you get a store with great policies but idiotic employees, you'll get bad service. Just because it's someone's job to replace something doesn't mean they will. Generally even if the company stops carrying a line or a product if you get the extended warranty they still cover that, it's what you paid for.

Like anything it depends on the product, the company policies, and the staff.

You have to take all three into consideration.

To answer the question at hand, I would think replace with similar specs. I would think you paid for a Sony Wega 720p 50" rear projection TV, now if they don't have any or can't get any, then perhaps a Sony Wega 720p 50" LCD TV (if they exist I'm making a simple comparison). Or maybe a Panasonic 720p 50" rear projection TV. I'm sure a compromise can easily be made or substituted.

[psicodude]

My Aunt had the exact same thing happen to her a few months ago. They gave her an in-store credit for the original purchase price of the TV. She is now the proud owner of a 42" plasma from Visions.

[Rathji]

Most of the time I don't get the extended warranty except with my laptop mouse I buy a product replacement plan from Best Buy.

The plan itself sucks. You need to package up your stuff, send it in and wait a few weeks to get a gift card back for the original purchase price. That is if they remember to send the card back. I bet the bean counters decided that if they 'accidentally forget' to send back every card until someone calls and complains, they only ever have to send back half of them.

The part that I like, is for certain products, like my laptop mouse if it breaks in less than 6 months, you can go into the store and they will replace it over the counter. The mouse I use has this hyperscroll button that always seems to kinda jam a little so it is not hyper like. It has been replaced 4 times. First time I needed to send away for the gift card and every other time I just walked into the store and walked out with a new mouse.

[Kjesse]

Notice the recurring theme? This matches my experience.

Visions is awesome in the sense that they back up their warranties and also refund the price of the warranty as an in store credit if you don't use it within a certain number of years. Right now I have a $600 credit and I don't even know what I want to buy there. I have until early next year to use it.

Most other places I've had nothing but problems with the warranty issues, so I generally never buy them unless there is a real good reason. (I've also had a Future Shop nightmare.... the only reason they're in business is because they have a large inventory where the shopper looking for instant gratification can get it. In contrast, Visions has limited inventory and selection, and an awful website.