Comments on: Extended laptop warranty always pays off

By: Not happy with BestBuy

Not happy with BestBuy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:26:35 +0000

The bestbuy International warranty sucks when it comes to the ‘international’ part. I have been trying for over six months to get a hold of someone to tell me where to get my laptop fixed and I have just been transfered from one department to another, costing me long phone bill!

By: kaptainownage

kaptainownage — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 08:16:40 +0000

I’ve worked for two computer retailers in the past four years, one of which is Best Buy. If you have very little knowledge of computers, and are very accident prone and don’t take care of your laptop well, only the accidental plan on a laptop is really worth it, and only if you know how to take advantage of it. I’ve seen moments where the plan certainly pays off. At the same time, I’ve seen moments where it does not. It really depends on the person, and you can’t generalize one way or the other.

I could be wrong, but I think with Best Buy’s new implementation of Geek Squad Black Tie Protection, I don’t see anything in the terms and conditions about depreciating the value of the item if its considered a “lemon”. Good thing, because that was definitely the biggest complaint.

Replacement plans are almost always worth it. Or even on items where cost of repair is surely going to exceed cost of item, like ipods, cameras, etc. Again, just got to know how to take advantage of them.

By: zebbi

zebbi — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:23:32 +0000

Be aware that is only a trick to drag you to purchase an extended warranty, bullshit ………..

By: superdope01

superdope01 — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:48:30 +0000

I can vouch for the author on this one. I used to get the extended warranty on my xboxes from Best Buy. I was going through one per year. Best Buy never even tried to replace them. I would send them in & receive an in-store credit for the full purchase price usually two weeks later. Every year the purchase price was going down, so I would get a brand new replacement xbox AND a few games with the credit.

What most people don’t factor in to the equation is that geeks or techies put a lot more use in to one or two years of usage than the average user. You people actually go outside. We’ve got too many computers to fix to go outside. Besides, that means human interaction. Who the hell wants that? I get along great with the computers. I say jump. They say how high? The people that use the computers? Not so much. LOL

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:05:41 +0000

Adam,

The article is FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) being spread by shills of Best Buy and other retailers to trick you into getting a warranty through them with fictional worst-case scenarios (which do happen, but still are not the norm) and impossibly good outcomes.

This is not true. I don’t work for Best Buy. In this article I shared my experience I had a few years ago with Best Buy.

While getting an extended warranty on a laptop isn’t a horrible investment depending on price, the writer of this article (and some of the commenters) are outright lying to you.

Again, this is not true. I’m not lying. The extended warranty worked very well….. a few years ago, but now it’s different time.
A few years ago laptop prices were high and used laptops had some value even after a couple of years.

they will find a current model that is most comparable in specifications to what you currently have. After two years, it will be the refurbished $349

That’s true. Laptop hardware changes very fast these days but five years ago it was different. I remember that five years ago my customer gladly payed $500-600 to replace a broken screen. Some senior technicians remember customers paying over $1000 to repair a laptop.

Would I pay $250 for an extended warranty now when you can buy a basic laptop for $350??? I wouldn’t, unless it’s a very expensive laptop.

If you purchased an extended warranty but couldn’t use it, I feel bad for you. You should work on improving your negotiation skills. Do you think they gladly replaced my laptop? No way. But after I talked to a few different managers they didn’t have any other choice.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:49:29 +0000

The original story is complete crap. It is 100% contrary to Best Buy and the terms of the Performance Service Plan (extended warranty) to put the original purchase cost toward a new laptop; they will find a current model that is most comparable in specifications to what you currently have. After two years, it will be the refurbished $349 Acer they sell. If they can’t find a suitable replacement, they will put the DEPRECATED value of the computer toward a purchased replacement as credit. Here’s a hint: two year old laptops aren’t worth much to them.

The article is FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) being spread by shills of Best Buy and other retailers to trick you into getting a warranty through them with fictional worst-case scenarios (which do happen, but still are not the norm) and impossibly good outcomes. While getting an extended warranty on a laptop isn’t a horrible investment depending on price, the writer of this article (and some of the commenters) are outright lying to you.

By: Jim Piere

Jim Piere — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:15:46 +0000

After 3 year of my 4 year System Guard warranty, and only having repairs in the last 6 weeks, Toshiba’s System guard offered me a check for $1300 for a computer I bought for $2300 in 2006. they said they have to subtract all the things they did to it in the last 6 weeks. THE WARRANTY SAYS, they will replace the computer if they cant fix it. Well they cant fix it and they are not giving me a new computer.

TOSHIBA CORP, in Irvine called me today, and said “what do you expect,they you have a 3 year old computer” and basically said, they they have nothing to do with the computer after the initial one year warranty. My concerns, he says is all with System NET, from System Guard.

CRAZY. Somehow I have to fight this. Anyone having any ideas how to help me, please write me at jaspiere@hotmail.com
thanks

Jim

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:28:43 +0000

The extended warranty for a laptop is well worth it. Laptops can have a lot of problems especially if you use it a lot.
I purchased an HP laptop (with extended warranty) a few years back from Best Buy. It was sent out for repair 3 times. On the 4th repair, they offered a replacement. I purchased an extended warranty again on the free replacement. It was sent out for 3 repairs and it was determined that it could not be fixed. I am in the process of picking out a new replacement.
I will DEFINITELY purchase another extended warranty.

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:09:28 +0000

Richard,

I always pay for everything with a gold/platinum/AMEX, etc. credit card because they double the manufacturer’s warranty.

That’s a good idea. I’m doing exactly the same and buying all stuff on my Visa but I’ve never tried making a claim through my card. Does it work? Is it easy?

Also, know that warranties may expire when you are given a replacement product. I would like to think that if I buy a 3 year warranty, I get 3 years of computer use with no further expense, even if they have to replace the item.

Yep, if they replace the laptop covered by the extended warranty, you’ll have to buy it again for your new laptop. But I can’t complain. It worked for me two times.
Now I’m running a Toshiba Satellite laptop and my 3 year warranty is almost over, but this thing just doesn’t break.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:00:29 +0000

I always pay for everything with a gold/platinum/AMEX, etc. credit card because they double the manufacturer’s warranty.

Also, know that warranties may expire when you are given a replacement product. I would like to think that if I buy a 3 year warranty, I get 3 years of computer use with no further expense, even if they have to replace the item.