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Hot or Not? Service plan from Bestbuy.

I'm the first to post! Yahoo! Nice to get in before the lock.

I don't know? Is spending an extra $200 for the same thing hot? If you are planning on breaking it sometime during those years, then returning it for another one, I guess. Although, that's pretty wrong, and probably not worth the hassle.

D.C.
 
YMMV

Some Best Buy are more lenient and allow you to trade for the exact item no questions asked. If stock is out or no longer carried, they let you substitute for another comparable that must be same or lower in price. If price is more, you must pay for the difference. This is how they try to sell the plan.

However, here's the fine print.
If you read the service plan, it requires you that you send the item for repair 3? times before they allow you to exchange. I have come across both situations. All Best Buy stores are not created equal. Off topic: I was told that prices can vary also from store to store. Doesn't seem right, so hopefully find a Best Buy that is more customer friendly and stick with it.
 
The reason they push the extended service plan so hard is because it how they get all there gravy. A large percentage of them are never used.
 
I'm in no mood to flame anyone this ugly morning, so I'll be nice to the n00b. Ask these type of questions in the OFF-TOPIC board, questions like this are usually locked up. Only post hot deals.

But here's my experience. Bought a laptop backin '96 when it was 4years for $175 PSP for laptops (now it's $200+ for 3years). Used it once for a dead CD-ROM 3 years after purchase. Parts for the CD-Rom - $90. Amount of time in "service" - 2 months. I'm not kidding. Plus at the same time, they replaced the floppy drive that was working perfectly fine. Let's put it this way, the CD-ROM can be ordered myself for less then the cost of the PSP and the amount of time to get the part and get my laptop up would've been much shorter doing it myself. Oh well, you live and learn. I might just scan my work recept for proof tonight if this thread doesn't get locked up. IMO, unless you're buying a crappy brand laptop, I forgo the PSP, even for the screen protection.
 
Well, i buy Extended warranties on most $200+ electronics. To me its worth it because i've had my cellphone replaced 4 times, gameboy color upgraded to GBA, dvd player repaired and more . But when it comes to BB and their computer services then extended warranties are suck. They are complete morons and all that happens when you bring it in is that they tell you "this problem isnt covered" and offer you expensive services to get it fixed.
 
The most common problem with laptops is physical damage from dropping. If you make even a TINY crack in the screen, the screen is ruined and the whole laptop is trash. It costs more to replace the screen than to buy a new laptop. Like any other computer, laptops don't really wear out in the first few years... we have a couple of P1-100's that we use for travel backups that are over five years old.

Best Buy, knowing this, EXCLUDES physical damage from their coverage, making it essentially valueless to the consumer and a HUGE cash cow for the store... that is why they push them so hard.

We buy mostly Toshiba laptops. Toshiba offers an extended warranty that is WORLDS better than Best Buy's in that it does cover physical damage and screen breakage. Cost is about $300 for three years coverage. We buy this factory-sponsored extended warranty. You can do so using a coupon in the package OR during the on-line registration.

What this means is that we are guaranteed three years of heavy traveling use from the laptop for $300. Seems worth it to me.

 


<< "Extended Warranty, How can I lose?" - Homer J. Simpson >>



Exactly.

If electronics are going to break, they tend to do so within the first month or so of you using them. Then they are covered by the mfg warranty. If I went to my parents house, I could find a working 486DX 33Mhz pc, a VCR that weighs as much as my receiver, and a microwave that isn't strong enough for microwave popcorn.

I read something (may have been on this forum) that suggested to start your own 'warranty pot' and put like a third of the warranty money into it for the items you buy. That way, if something breaks, you have money set aside for it, and you didn't spend money on things you didn't need.
 


<< Best Buy, knowing this, EXCLUDES physical damage from their coverage, making it essentially valueless to the consumer and a HUGE cash cow for the store... that is why they push them so hard. >>



Incorrect.

D.C.
 
I agree with emonkey. I buy extended warranties for big ticket items. As with all insurance, you never want to have to use it but it's nice to have just in case you need it. And in many instances with technology items, if they replace it under warranty you'll wind up getting newer models because the old ones have been phased out. Depending on what you're buying, the extended warranty may only be a small percentage of the total price.

As always, read the fine print to make sure you know what is covered and what is not. Also, there are many credit cards out there that offer extended protection as well. I had a cracked lcd on my laptop replaced under the buyers' assurance protection offered by my CC.

The Warranty Pot is a great idea in theory, but I'd never have the discipline to put it into practice...especially with all the temptations from this forum!?! 😀
 
Make sure to read what is covered and what isn't. The BB warranty does not cover physical damage, while CompUSA's warranty covers about anything...OTOH, the CompUSA warranty is $500 on a $1000 laptop, so you get what you pay for...
rolleye.gif
 


<<

I read something (may have been on this forum) that suggested to start your own 'warranty pot' and put like a third of the warranty money into it for the items you buy. That way, if something breaks, you have money set aside for it, and you didn't spend money on things you didn't need.

 >>



I'd say that is some pretty sound advice that everyone could use. Thanks for sharing.
 
I'm usually not a big fan of extended service plans, but I got a heckuva deal for my Samsung SprintPCS phone I bought 2 years ago at Circuit City. I paid $280 in all for it (including a 3 year service plan) and the ear speaker on it busted last month. Went back to Circuit City, they didn't carry my phone anymore so they gave me something like $260 in store credit back (pro-rated the service plan). Ended up buying a cheapie Motorola phone for $80 since I don't care too much for special features so now I have another $180 worth of credit I can use.

So basically depending on the mfg's original warranty and other stuff, sometimes it's worth it to get an extended service plan.
 
I only buy service plan when item is over $300 and use it much while I travel, such as camcorder & laptop. It's an insurance to me and will buy me a peace of mind. Don't have to worry about dropping it or wearing off. Other than that, it's waste of money.

Last time I brought a $5 open box Microsoft mouse from BBY. A lady (cashier) was offering me a $5 replacement plan. I looked at her and seems like I saw a ghost. Why would I want to buy the replacement plan when mouse is only $5? Why would I take the risk wasting my money like this? Wonder how they train those cashiers in these days? They should know when not to offer replacement plan like that or ask stupid questions.

Hey don't yell at me when I said something like this. 🙂 I used to work for BBY when I was in college. Back then (1994-1998), they have better training than today's.
 
When i bought my laptop from bestbuy, the guy told me that if i had the laptop out in the cold for awhile, then took it somewhere very hot, the condisation would screw up the screen, and that b/c of the cost of the screen being high, they would just replace the lap. well, its for 3 years, and in 2 1/2, bestbuy isn't gonna have duron 800 laptops anymore, so you do the math, doesn't make the $250 seem so bad
 
How about a insurance company like Safeware.



Covered

- Accidental Damage
- Theft
- Power surge and lightning regardless of source
- Vandalism
- Water damage
- Natural disasters
Complete repair or replacement of computer system with no deduction for depreciation
Optional deductibles
Coverage at home, in the office or in transit
Replaces preinstalled software

Not Covered

Wear and tear, gradual deterioration, depreciation, or original defects
Loss of income or interruption of business
Any preinstalled data or media which cannot be replaced with other of like kind or quality on the current retail market
Mechanical breakdown or faulty construction
Loss or damage from fraudulent, dishonest or criminal acts by the owner or user
Systems rented or leased to others

Looks good, do you guys see any problems?
 
Well, I had worked in a camera shop for about 3 years (Wolf's Camera). And from my experience the ESP are a rip off. I guess the company wanted us to offer it on every camera we sold because it brought in so much money. The percent profit was like somewhere in the 90% range. It is just free money to the store. I would only get one if the item was questionable. And then it would have to be dirt cheap.
 
I think some extended warranties are good. The first extended warranty (EW) I bought was on a CD player from Circuit City (their rates are much higher than BB). My player broke about 2 years later (ONKYO) and it would have cost me about $120 to fix it. The warranty was like $20. I think VCR EW's are good, cause you get free cleanings on them. Also, I bought a 5 speaker set from BB for $2000 a few years ago. Warranty on it for 5 years was $80. I think that's well worth it.
 
I have to agree with im2smrt4u about the CompUsa warranty, not cheap but worth it. A story...

6/12/00 went into to Toshiba laptop they had on sale for $1200
salesman talked me into buying floor model CompUsa brand with same specs but with DVD instead of CD that Toshiba came with... but in order to get the superduper price of $800 I had to buy 2 year extended warranty (they call it technology protection plan) for $349.99... so my total was less than the Toshiba and with warranty... I still thought I had gotten screwed a little bit.

9/1/01 lamp fell on open laptop one night (cleaning crew, I think) scratched the screen and busted one of the keys into 2 pieces... lappy still worked fine just had big scratch on screen and the left alt key was busted so I didn't immediately bring it to them... they said they would need unit one or two weeks.

12/15/01 purchased refurb Fujitsu (IT ROCKS) for $1000 plus $92 tax & shipping. I figured to sell old one easier might as well get it fixed, they replaced the screen and keyboard with no problems... so warranty paid off as just a new screen would have cost more than the warranty cost. Had it back in 10 days with brand new parts.

1/10/02 The old lappy just stopped working, wouldn't even POST so I took it back... after 3 days they said Motherboard and Power supply board were shot... total cost of parts about $1100 (OUCH)... warranty company said they WOULD NOT pay for any repairs instead they authorized a BRAND NEW LAPTOP... a Toshiba Sattelite which was on sale that week for $900. I sold it for $1000 (their sale had ended and it was now selling for $1100) which i used to pay for the Fujitsu C-6631 as seen here, my unit was purchased directly from Fujitsu.

Bottom line in this case warranty worked out. I received a brand new lappy in exchange for one 18 months old and a couple of visits to tech support.

Hank
 
Generally warranties are a waste, but some items warrant it. When I bought my $99 Maxtor hard drive at CompUSA last weekend, the manager insisted that I should buy the $30 protection plan. I proceeded to tell him that Maxtor has a 3 year warranty of which they will send me a new or larger HD in 2 days and I send back the old one. He told me "that's not how it works... it's ship it off... wait.... etc" then I told him "well I just went thru this last week with Maxtor and it was a breeze and I didn't have to pay $30 more for it"

On the other hand I did by a plan on a laptop about 5 years ago... about year 3 the LCD cracked and had to be replaced... that LCD panel cost over $600 just for the part... I only paid $120 for the warranty so I made out.

Read the fine print, never believe what the sales guy says unless it says it in writing, and don't let them feed them a line about how crappy the standard warranty is... Research the warranty that comes with the product before you buy it.
 
But for the rest of us, im2smrt4u said that they chrarge roughly $500 for an extended warranty on a $1000 computer. I know compusa has warranties on PDA's that cover everything including screen. Someone ran over theirs and they still replaced it. I have a CUSA warranty on my PDA and have used it twice already (they let me upgrade from my 3670 $299 dealie to a $499 Maestro. SWEET!) BB policies are totally different so most likely your laptop will get stolen before it breaks.

<<<Best Buy, knowing this, EXCLUDES physical damage from their coverage, making it essentially valueless to the consumer and a HUGE cash cow for the store... that is why they push them so hard.>>>


<< Incorrect.
D.C. >>


Thanks for a great explanation. How about elaborating a bit more on that because if you know something different then it'd be nice to share. Most of us have read or experienced that physical damage is not covered at BB. So who knows what you are talking about...

 
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