OT, but would appreciate input Warranties etc, maybe revisited.

Don't remember if it was this group or the RV group where we discussed extra warranties.

Our new Kenmore frig/freezer, delivered yesterday from Sears has the usual warranty.

They are "pushing" a $65/pa program where they come out annually to do maintenance ( apparently the cooling fans whatever are underneath) . I never knew they needed anything. It also covers a lot of parts, food replacement ( up to $250 pa, which is under the Homeowner deductible).

To begin with I was against it, as is JIm.

On retrospect, we are in our 70s, don't do much of this "pull it out and clean it" stuff.

I think I will try to talk DH into doing the five year contract. ONly god or some other fate knows what we will be like 5 years from now. Makes sense to me. Opinions??

Gill

Reply to
Gillian Murray
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DH has started to rethink the extended warranty on this sort of stuff. We are only in our early 60's but there's just a lot of stuff we don't want to bother with and it's worth the $60 or $70 a year to get the warranty where someone else takes care of it. I say go for it if you can afford it. As we get older, we rethink what we want to spend our time and energy on and maintenance isn't high on MY list :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

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Reply to
Tia Mary

I do it for my air handler with a company that's been around for many years doing mostly air, but not on the appliances. At one time I did have a contract with a company that is here and covers all appliances. They were fine for minor repairs, but when the refrigerator died they couldn't or wouldn't get the proper part for repair for 4 days. They were supposed to bring a loaner, which they did late afternoon on the 3rd day. Of course the food was all in the garbage by then.

After 1,000 phone calls to the local office and 100 calls to the corporate office, and a registered letter, they came up with $50 to cover the cost of the spoiled food which I accepted out of frustration..

My friend had a contract on her air conditioner with the same company and they left her without air conditioning for almost a week shortly after my experience.

Needless to say that was the last they saw of either of us.

Maybe Sears, being a major company with a better reputation, would be better.

Reply to
Lucille

Well, we're a bit younger but with really busy schedules, and the reality that many of the newer appliances are more specialized in parts, we've done the warranty extensions. What we also found out, was that you have generally at least a full year, or maybe with Sears 90 days, to purchase the extended warranty. It's worth it if, IF, you remember to call them to come and do the preventive thing. Appliances have gotten so costly, and repair visits as well - that we've found it to be worthwhile in the past. We hadn't extended on these appliances, and the warranty ran out - maybe about a year ago. But, Whirlpool contacted us, and we were able to bargain to a price that seemed worthwhile - as in less than the cost of replacing even just the microwave - for 3 years, covering all our appliances. Things that can use a regular maintenance - like the washer, dryer - are worth it. Even with a fridge - if they come and check the cooling, make sure anything like coils, etc are cleaned - it's worth it as opposed to spending a day moving it, etc.

So, while I wouldn't buy one for a totally solid state thing like stereo or TV (fewer moving parts to break) we did do it for the appliances that get a regular work out.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

I think Sears may farm out their maintenance. There is a big company called "A&E Appliances" that has the contract for a lot of manufacturers. They did the service on our washer/dryer at the old house - and when we moved here and had to get a service call immediately ('cause the builder's plumber didn't hook up the dishwasher properly - leaving it to back up water in the bottom, and hadn't connected the 2nd motor for the internal disposal) - lo and behold - it was a tech who we knew. Anyhow, we've had a few services done by this company - for the washers, and the dishwasher - they were great. On time, helpful -even got us extra parts. We had a different, local service guy (Appliance store/repair place, I think) do the service when the micro caught on fire. Not so happy - if the A&E guy had done it, we would've had a new one. But, IIRC, Sears also contracts out their service. I think they are working hard to gain back a good reputation, as a few years back there was a huge scandal about improprieties, fraud, mischarges, bad work, etc with the auto repair side at Sears.

We had a contract with a heating/AC company for the old house, and we renewed it - but they lost the confirmation - big hassle - as we had to get work done and it was kind of a rip off which made for lots of discussion to get it sorted out as to what they charged or would charge for a module to go into the heating unit - IIRC we ended up replacing part ourselves by ordering the part. So, after the experience - the service call probably was twice the cost of the contract at least, we wouldn't drop on on the heater/ac.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

We've survived 2 sets of appliance folks in our home this year. The first guys shoved the refrigerator back with such force that they gouged the pantry floor. The 2nd set 'half' plugged the stove in. That could have caused a fire. We wouldn't have discovered it except we had to pull the stove out when the floor was replaced. You can buy a vacuum cleaner attachment that will reach beneath the refrigerator. I would be surprised to meet anybody who lifted their refrigerator and washed its innards. I vote no extended warranty. If the new refrigerator is going to do something strange, it will probably happen within warranty. IMHO, of course, Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

IMHO Extended warranties are a waste of money and I think that there are consumer reports out there that confirm this. All of our appliances were made in North America. IIRC all appliances had at least a one year warranty. Extended warranties usually start from date of purchase so paying for the first year twice doesn't make any sense. Most service work is contracted out and adequate service can often be hit or miss. All of our appliances have lasted at least 15 years, in part because we do not buy appliances with 101 seldom used features.

Having said that I would say that if you buy quality items there is no need for extended warranties. When you add the price of extended warranties to the poorer quality appliance prices you will find that you might as well have gone for quality in the first place. Every power tool that I have in my shop was made in North America and although some have done yeomen's work for over twenty years they still perform when called upon.

With any quality made refrigerator there are only a few things to be concerned about. (1) That the unit is far enough away from the wall to provide adequate cooling air to reach the compressor and the compressor motor. (2) That the unit should be plugged into a grounded wall outlet that is on a circuit breaker separate from all other appliances. This ensure that the compressor motor can get the right amount of power that it needs. (3) That the refrigerator is level, and well supported at ALL four corners. A refrigerator that rocks when the door is closed or when the compressor starts can cause the refrigerant lines to crack and leak. (4) If the refrigerator has a drain line from inside the refrigerator going down to a fluid catch pan make sure that food particles do not get into the line and plug it. For some reason small green peas have a habit of dancing around at night and one or more sometimes jump into the drain line. Result is high moisture content builds up in the refrigerator reducing it's efficiency. (5) Don't pile a hundred time expired food packages around the internal air circulating fan air inlets. The fans won't be able to circulate air properly plus they could overheat and burn out. (6) Don't put numerous heavy items in door compartments - this can wear out door hinges and/or cause undue wear on the door seals.

I believe all of the above is stated in your owner's manual - on the other hand who ever reads through 20 pages of warning notices in 20 languages to get to the important stuff, which by the way is why I read most owner's manuals from back to front. LOL

Fred

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nothing changes, nothing changes.Don't back stitch to email, just stitchit.

Reply to
Fred

Wellllllllll, I have to say we didn't have good luck with a warranty repair for our refrigerator with Sears. We ended up without a refrigerator for nearly a month while they made several trips out and waited on parts. The refrigerator was not purchased by us and was not purchased from Sears (at least I don't think it was), but the manufacturer provided warranty service through Sears. That might make a difference. Nevertheless, it was a thoroughly unpleasant experience (three kids and no refrigerator for a month is a Bad Thing!). When we replaced the refrigerator, we went with a local company with a good reputation for promptly servicing the appliances they sell and bought an extended warranty from them.

Best wishes, Ericka

Reply to
Ericka Kammerer

Interesting, Ericka. I think the last 10 years at least, Sears has truly capitalized on its reputation, particularly with so to speak Middle America. I had a lot of Kenmore appliances growing up, and my first washer/dryer - 20 years ago. But, in the last 10 + years, we did a bit of research, and went as you did - with a locally owned independent appliance store that carried quality lines. And were extremely happy with the service they provided, their installers, etc. Only getting the extended warranty at the end of the comes with time - and it was transferrable when we sold the other house.

I understand Fred's point - and 10 years ago - I wouldn't have bought extended warranties. But, some of these items - the reality is they are very expensive to have a basic service call, and are more specialized, so the cost - even with quality items - worked out - for us. Would I do it for anything like a stereo or tv? No, 'cause they'll either go immediately, or way later past any warranty. Recently, however, with some of the large tvs

- like the Mitsu's with the lamps in them - depending on pricing - it may be worth it because the lamp replacement is so expensive.

When we decided to get the warranties this time - after having waited 2 years - it was because both Whirlpool/Kitchenaid made us a good offer - and the handle on the front loader had cracked - so after pricing ordering a part, etc - well - might as well do the warranty. Incrementally - the cost of covering the fridge is so miniscule compared to everything else - maybe $60 for 3 years, it's worth it - IMHO.

We've been really happy with the folks that have the main contract - A&E, and I also have found that when we need to schedule an apptmt - the Whirlpool people work with you -offering up dates and which company would do the service - so after the not fab experience with the other contract service folks, I just say "no" to them.

Ah, we each make our own decisions.

ellice

Reply to
ellice

I tend toward the same philosophy about covering major household appliances because of cost of repair. We have plans with GE, with Sears, and with Kitchen Aid, and I've been going round and round with the Kitchen Aid folks and they can't get the billing/payment straight, so I don't have confidence in their repair abilities. I'm going to let that one lapse and switch it over to the GE people, who've been really good in the past.

(You don't want to know how much time I've wasted on the phone trying to straighten out the plan payment, which should be a simple thing! Especially since we're in agreement about how much I owe. And when you're willing to give someone money and they're not smart enough to take it, well...duh!)

sue

Reply to
Susan Hartman

I would actually. Since Whirlpool/Kitchenaid are the same company - I deal with the Whirlpool person, and they also handle Kitchenaid. That said - we just got an "incorrect" bill for the kitchenaid appliances. The bills come as 1 for the Whirlpool labelled, 1 for the Kitchenaid, and a 3rd which is just the Maytag Drying Center.

You could ask them who does the repairs. At least in this area Kitchenaid & Whirlpool are A&E Appliance Service - I think the guy who's serviced us actually comes from Catonsville, or Gaithersburg. We've had good work done by them.

Seriously, I totally believe it. It's like the opposite of our Verizon issues, they take too much money, and I spend hours trying to straighten it out - but the technical service is great.

Ellice

Reply to
ellice

I use to work for a few companies that "sold" the extra warranties, most of them were actually from a third company and not the one you bought the item from.

Things to look at:

1) Does the manufacturer cover the period they are selling, ie. 2-3 year, when manufacturer has 3 year included. If no to #1, then how long does it extra really cover, most only "add" extra years to come up to the total not the amount of years on top. 2) What is included in price. ie Shipping/Handling covered, one way or both. Replacement batteries each year, what is cost to purchase on own compared to extra warranty. Checkups/tune-ups extra without warranty or cheaper with. 3) Forget extra warranties when store staff doesn't tell about till you are at the cash register. When store does extra warranties this method, it is pushed as impulse so you do not have time to check details and most are not needed. 4) When for warranty talked about, ask for pamphlets about it. Forget it when the staff uses any reason to not give one a.s.a.p., or when they don't let you have time to read any of it. Most of the time, these type will have enough shortcuts to not let you use it properly. Such as, certain items in 30-90 days of purchase of the full warranty term. 5) Who does the repairs and such, the manufacturer or the store. Except for authorized repair centers owned by store itself, most repairs by stores can void the manufacturer's warranties.
Reply to
J. H. T./B.D.P.

Hello All,

If the little bird in the head is singing "rip-off!! rip-off!! rip- off!!" then it probably is one...

I moved into a house where the dryer exhaust was vented under the fridge which was 8 years old and in good working order. Plenty of dust bunnies but the fridge didn't seem to mind.

In my experience an extended warranty has NEVER been worth it.

Irene

Reply to
ellis_chem

I generally would agree with you except when it comes to very expensive items.

I had a new GE Profile refrigerator that had an extended warranty - within the first 2 years the electronic motherboard failed and it only cost me a few hundred $ to have everything swapped out - and I saved about $600 by doing that.

Also - same issue with a big trailer-mounted log splitter - we paid a few $ for coverage and when the motor died we got a new one for free - instead of $600-800 out of our pocket.

Small items like VCRs, yard tools, etc. I don't think it's worth it.

MelissaD

Reply to
MelissaD

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