Way OT: Extended Service Contracts (Was Re: u're my gods)

Hi all,

Regarding extended service contracts (ESC), I heard
someone from Consumer Reports say that the ESC's are
not worth the money that you'd be paying for them. I
don't remember all of the particulars but the only
thing that he said that you should buy an ESC (odd how
that acrynym seems to imply escape as in run from
them) is a plasma TV.

Ok, having said, I make all of my hardware purchase on
my VISA or Master Card. In the US, I don't know what
it is other areas of the world or California (only
kidding Californians), certain cards (platinum? gold?
silver?) give you an extended warranty coverage for a
year beyond the manufacturer's warranty (all included
for free with the charge card). But check with your
VISA and MC issuers to make sure you've got that kind
of coverage on your card (I think that they call
extended warranty).

I've had to use this service a number of times: my
monitor suddenly started smoking (I didn't even know
that it had access to tobacco, and if it wasn't
tobacco...well I won't even go there), my CD burner
stopped burning (now if only the monitor hadn't
started burning and the burner continued to burn --
maybe it was a case of switched identities as in the
movie Freaky Friday), and there was another case which
slips my mind.

You have to jump through a number of hoops to be
reimbursed (original receipts, charge card statements
showing that you purchased the item on the particular
VISA or MC, proof that the item is no longer working,
various forms, phone calls, etc) but I can't imagine
that the procedure is any different than if you paid
for an ESC (and it maybe worse with an ESC).

But don't get me wrong, this is not a cash cow. They
will reimburse you up to the purchase price, but no
more (at least that's what I remember). And with the
cost of computer equipment constantly falling, they
will only cover the replacement cost (it may have
changed since I had my last set of problems). For
instance, I think that the monitor originally cost
something like $500 (years ago). I found a similar
monitor to replace the one that shorted out for $225
and that's what the paid me. The burner was $159 and
the replacement only cost $106 -- again you get the
lower amount.

And no I couldn't replace the bulky monitor with one
of those sleek flat screen Apple Cinema displays --
unless I wanted to pay the big difference. Ditto if I
wanted to go from a CD burner to a DVD burner. You
only get apples for Apples -- that's a little
MacIntosh humor. Okay bad pun but I know some members
live for them.

But getting a replacement at virtually no cost saved
my (nonexistent) budget. It gives me piece of mind
knowing if something goes wrong 15 days after the
manufacturer's warranty expires that I'm still covered
by my credit card.

Sorry about the length of this message. But I hope
that I was clear and that this info will save some
members some $$$.

Stuart
--- Dave Rose <cactuscowboy@bresnan.net> wrote:

> Extended service contracts or extended warranties
> are very common, whether
> you're buying a car, a refrigerator, or a printer.
> If you have any
> questions or concerns, read the contract before
> buying.
>
> Dave in Wyoming
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Adam.Waterson" <artistboi@speakeasy.net>
> To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 12:13 PM
> Subject: u're my gods
>
>
> What is the deal with this warranty? When I was
> talking with my friend
> at Showcase they mentioned only to buy a US
> warranty. Is this worth 60
> bucks for a printer i'm scared is going to break.
> Is this a real
> warranty? Or is this a 3rd party attempt for some
> extra cash, and
> nothing to do with the Epson R2400 I'm buying.
> Cheers!
>
>
> Mack

                
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Received on Thu Sep 15 09:07:37 2005