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Extra-cost Warranties a VERY bad bet in the long run.. (Reply to this comment)
by glen22
Extended or extra-cost warranties are a very bad bet in the long run. Essentially, each time a consumer buys an extended warranty, he/she is paying out-of-pocket for the cost of the manufacturer's decision to build an appliance using short service life components. That reduces their incentive to use better-specification parts and to source those parts from manufacturers using tighter quality controls and a more highly skilled and trained labor force.
A gentleman who worked for an appliance subcontractor once told me that of three large brand U.S. companies (we'll call them A, B, and C), brands 'A' & 'B' would regularly spec low, mid-level, or high cost components for appliances, based on need. However, manufacturer 'C' would always spec the cheapest available part regardless of any other consideration. Needless to say, brand 'C' always had the greatest reported breakdowns and defect rates.
By purchasing insurance, you ensure that future appliances you buy will not be made to a better standard, and that newer designs will incorporate fewer improvements - why should the manufacturer bother, if you're willing to insure them? In the long run, the added costs of the warranties and inconvenience of more frequent repairs will mean all of us pay MUCH more for appliances over our lifetimes. It also has the effect of concentrating labor forces in a few countries, and accelerates capital flow to companies willing to use any means to keep product costs low, including unfair wage rates and unsafe working conditions for the (largely unskilled) labor force.
If the majority of consumers in the U.S. (as in the case of those in some other countries) display a strong preference for long-lived appliances and longer-term standard factory warranties, manufacturers will be forced to rethink current product development and component sourcing strategy.
Instead, try to determine why a given appliance is defective and avoid the problematic models. In some cases you can same yourself a lot of grief by insisting on a model with simpler, non-electronic controls and CPUs. Also visit the appliance repair and do-it-yourself repair forums to see which machines hold up, and which ones do not. And everyone should have full circuit surge protection on any computer, TV, or appliance equipped with sensitive electronic circuit boards or 'brains' (motherboard) to protect them from harmful power spikes and surges on the circuit.
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Jul 15 '09
12:13 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by daquan
You're welcome!!
Keep up the good work! I also, started out kind of rough. But the more reviews that I wrote, the better I got.
So, with more experience and in time, you'll probably become a popular author, advisor or top reviewer as soon as you have enough great reviews.
And people will also start trusting you as a good reviewer.
Umm, as a matter of fact, since you posted such useful info and did good on your first two reviews, I'm going to go ahead right now and put you on my trust list, because I know that you'll be posting a lot of reviews here - especially in the Home & Garden section like me.
Thank you, again!!
~Daquan.
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Jul 19 '06
12:22 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by luistm24
Hey Dequan and every one else. I just want to say thank you for all your suggestions and helping me out here and making sure my reviews get better as I make post more. So thank you all very much!
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Jul 18 '06
1:06 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by daquan
Great idea!! Glad to have you aboard!!!
You'll probably see me here in Home & Garden on occasion. I think I got more review in THIS section of the forum than in any other!
I'll be more than glad to help you out if you think you might need any!
Happy writing!!
~Daquan.
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Jul 18 '06
12:24 pm PDT
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Re: Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by luistm24
I will most definitely will leave more reviews and comments. Also will give my opinion or suggestion to any one who would like to get one when it comes to appliances.
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Jul 17 '06
11:30 am PDT
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Re: Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by daquan
Yes!!
I just took out a service contract for my Kenmore portable washer!! Without it, I'd have had to pay who knows God what for untold amounts of astronomical prices for the parts and labor.
Sears just gave me that option when I called them for a technician to come out and look at the machine because it makes a horrible grinding noise during the spin cycles. Or pay out the nose to even have it looked at, repaired and for labor costs!!
I immediately jumped on the service contract - which covers the whole machine for a year - parts and labor!! I had to make that decision BEFORE the guy came out last Tuesday to look at it!
He came out, looked at it, tried it out and right away, he said that the tranny is going south! So he went downstairs back to his van, looked on his computer and ordered a new tranny for the machine - which BTW, comes to almost $400.00!! Without the extended warranty, i would have had to pay that plus a labor cost for 90 minutes of work!!!
The machine IS still usable, but the tranny has to be replaced regardless. Once I agreed to pay for the service contract, the rest is totally free.
And here is what sweetened up the pot; If the repairs are ever to exceed $500.00 during the contract, Sears will automatically give me a voucher of equal value for another washer!! Sweet deal!!!!!!!!
So yes, I think that the contract work to one's advantage and keep them from ever having to pay for outrageous parts and labor costs!!!
~Daquan.
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Jul 16 '06
7:44 pm PDT
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Welcome to Epinions (Reply to this comment)
by dianapinions
I see you are new here. I am glad you have decided to share your experiences with the Epinions community. Hope you keep writing.
Diana
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Jul 16 '06
6:47 pm PDT
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