Extend the warranty on my Dell 6000?

[Sluggo]

Just got my laptop back from Dell, needed a new motherboard. I only have about 1 month of warranty left.

Should I pay to extend the warranty, or just hope that it had its one major breakdown and everything will be peachy from here on out.

 

[AmigaMan]

how much is the extra warranty? If you're talking $200-$300, I'd do it. Make sure you find out what the warranty covers though.

 

[phisrow]

It really comes down to the cost of the warranty and how long you expect to keep the machine.

The Dell 6000 isn't a bad machine, all told; but it isn't getting any younger. If you plan to hold onto it for an extended period of time, the warranty will probably pay for itself. If you don't, or are indifferent, go for the warranty only if it is considerably less costly than another machine.

If you don't mind, give us some numbers.

 

[Sluggo]

My warranty expires 12/13/2006 only about 30 days to decide.

I figure worst case I have to buy a new laptop, after raiding mine of RAM and HDD and spend about $600. Depending on what went wrong mine could have a salvage value of anywhere from $75-$200.

Send back to Dell:

Return to Depot till 12/13/2007 -- 1 year(s) [add $178]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2008 -- 2 year(s) [add $270]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2009 -- 3 year(s) [add $362]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2010 -- 4 year(s) [add $500]


Dell on-site:

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2006 -- 1 year(s) [add $4]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2007 -- 2 year(s) [add $222]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2008 -- 3 year(s) [add $298]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2009 -- 4 year(s) [add $460]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2010 -- 5 year(s) [add $602]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2006 -- 1 year(s) [add $4]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2007 -- 2 year(s) [add $222]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2008 -- 3 year(s) [add $298]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2009 -- 4 year(s) [add $460]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2010 -- 5 year(s) [add $602]


Dell also sent me a letter offering:

At home service until 12/12/2009 for $299, minus a $75 rebate. That doesnt sound bad.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
My warranty expires 12/13/2006 only about 30 days to decide.

I figure worst case I have to buy a new laptop, after raiding mine of RAM and HDD and spend about $600. Depending on what went wrong mine could have a salvage value of anywhere from $75-$200.

Send back to Dell:

Return to Depot till 12/13/2007 -- 1 year(s) [add $178]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2008 -- 2 year(s) [add $270]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2009 -- 3 year(s) [add $362]

Return to Depot till 12/13/2010 -- 4 year(s) [add $500]


Dell on-site:

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2006 -- 1 year(s) [add $4]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2007 -- 2 year(s) [add $222]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2008 -- 3 year(s) [add $298]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2009 -- 4 year(s) [add $460]

Next Business Day Onsite Plus Nights and Weekends till 12/13/2010 -- 5 year(s) [add $602]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2006 -- 1 year(s) [add $4]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2007 -- 2 year(s) [add $222]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2008 -- 3 year(s) [add $298]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2009 -- 4 year(s) [add $460]

Next Business Day Onsite till 12/13/2010 -- 5 year(s) [add $602]


Dell also sent me a letter offering:

At home service until 12/12/2009 for $299, minus a $75 rebate. That doesnt sound bad.

How long have you owned it; how long was your previous warranty? If anything, I'd maybe go for another year in the warranty, no more than that since by 2008, there will be such better technology available and by that point, you'd probably be looking for something else. And also, if something like the motherboard died again after 2007, you could always hit up EBay for a new mobo.

 

[Sluggo]

Laptop is on its original 1yr warranty.

If you read my last price quote, I can get a 3 year on-site from Dell for the same price as the 1 year on-site...after rebate of course.

Is a Dell warranty transferrable? After I get tired of it I could always pass it along to a family member and have it under warranty.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
Laptop is on its original 1yr warranty.

If you read my last price quote, I can get a 3 year on-site from Dell for the same price as the 1 year on-site...after rebate of course.

Is a Dell warranty transferrable? After I get tired of it I could always pass it along to a family member and have it under warranty.

If you can get another 3 years for the same price as one, go for it. The warranties are transferable, it would just be a matter of calling up Dell when you want it transferred.

 

[fbrdphreak]

The 2 or 3 year depot warranty seems okay, but anything more than that you're paying more than you would for a new laptop....

 

[LouPoir]

Poor investment - IMHO

 

[John]

I'd go with the At home service until 12/12/2009 for $299, minus a $75 rebate if:

[*]You plan on keeping it for 3 more years
[*]You are happy with the level of performance
[*]

Depot warranties suck IMHO because that means you have to send it in and live without it for 1-2 weeks on average. In some cases cosmetic damage could be inflicted during transit and while a tech services it. On-site warranty also allows you to request they send the part and you swap it out. You have more control. If your motherboard or LCD croak the warranty pays for itself.

 

[pkme2]

Why buy add-on warranties?
IMO, with the price of laptops dropping, getting a new one every 2 years is a better deal than buying warranties.
By using the discount coupon makes the Dell a great buy.
So, getting extended warranties on something that might go wrong, really is a pessimistic approach.