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advice: should I get the $200 service plan at BB for my laptop?

S

Sandor

Senior member
I just ordered an entry-level Toshiba Satellite notebook computer from Best Buy (saw the deal HERE. After rebates and tax, its $785, which I thought was good deal. When I pick it up tomorrow, I have to decide if I want the $200, 3-year service plan. I'm leaning towards it, but was wondering if anyone had an opinion one way or another. I don't plan on upgrading for at least 3 years, so I'm thinking it might be worth it (the plan covers battery repalcements and monitor problems, as well as the normal other stuff). If anyone had any helpful opnions or past history with such a plan, I would appreciate it.
 
If the laptop were $1600 or more then yes I would consider it.

In your case definitely NO!

Please do yourself a HUGE favor and pay for your laptop with a premium cc such as a VISA or Amex which gives you 1 extra year of warranty coverage for FREE. Not all VISA, MasterCard and Amex cards offer this, you have to call and see if your cc qualifies for this.
 
Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
elaborate on "monitor" problems. Dead pixels, etc?
Click to expand...

I'll inquire more fully, but the guy at Best Buy said if anything went out on the monitor, they would replace the computer (he said a whole laptop is actually cheaper than a monitor replacement). I took it to mean dead pixels (or a maybe a few) qualified- I'll definintely find out. What really intrigued me was the battery replacement option- I could replace the battery whenever it started to go for free- the sales rep even recomended I do it once a year just to ensure I had a fresh one.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If the laptop were $1600 or more then yes I would consider it.

In your case definitely NO!

Please do yourself a HUGE favor and pay for your laptop with a premium cc such as a VISA or Amex which gives you 1 extra year of warranty coverage for FREE. Not all VISA, MasterCard and Amex cards offer this, you have to call and see if your cc qualifies for this.
Click to expand...

I did pay for it with VISA, with the extra year in mind. Opinions seem decently one-sided, which is fine with me (I can easily find something I would rather spend $200 on 🙂 )
 
I bought the $200 PSP on my Toshiba Laptop. The actual cost before rebate was just over $700 and then $200 for the service plan. I've had the laptop since December 14 and I am getting my first free battery replacement already. At this rate, the $200 I paid upfront will be well worth it.
 
I guess the battery replacement could make the service plan worth it. How much are replacement batteries? If you took a replacement once per year for three years, you could come out ahead, but do you really need that many replacement batteries?

I tend not to take extended service plans except on car stereo equipment, Dell computers, and any time they will sell me the plan on a $200+ item for $1.50 a month or less. When I bought my 27" Wega they offered me a 4 year plan for $60. They tacked the plan on my financing, plus they have to come out to service the set if there are any problems. Now that is a steal!

R
 
Don't believe anything the sales whores at BB tell you. Read the warranty yourself and decide. In this case, though, it wouldn't be worth it.
 
Originally posted by: minendo
I bought the $200 PSP on my Toshiba Laptop. The actual cost before rebate was just over $700 and then $200 for the service plan. I've had the laptop since December 14 and I am getting my first free battery replacement already. At this rate, the $200 I paid upfront will be well worth it.
Click to expand...

Yup, the battery plan makes it worth it. Laptop batteries die very easily and can cost you a good $100 a pop...
 
Best Buy computer salesperson speaking here on an unofficial basis.

In general, the cost of your laptop is a little low to justify a $200 performance service plan (PSP). I can tell you a little bit about the major pros/cons of a PSP on a notebook computer, though.

Yes, your battery is covered under the PSP. Notably, it doesn't have to completely die for you to ask for a replacement/fix. If your battery lasts 2.5 hours new and in six months time, only 1.5 hours, you're justified in getting a replacement. Hence the idea that the performance is guaranteed under the service plan. Additional to that of course is dust/heat/humidity/normal wear and tear protection as well as parts and labour coverage.

The major downside to having service done at BB is that wait times can vary, but for him to say they'll just up and replace the laptop if something goes wrong with the screen is misleading at best. They WILL send it to a repair depot at their expensive for service and you will very likely get back the same notebook computer with a serviced LCD screen.

Research how much a new battery costs for your laptop and decide from there, I'd say. In any given case, the PSP is prorated and you do have 30 days to refund it in full after your purchase. After that, every month you'll tick down to $0 in 3 year's time.
 
I never buy service contracts. The quality of electronics has gotten so much better, that if something is going to fail, it will fail under the warranty period. If it does fail in 3 years you could probably buy the same laptop on ebay for $200.

IMO service contracts are the biggest scam. The companies make a huge profit off them.
 
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