Guardsman warranty - For sofas

Middle_Earth

I'm just getting prepared to go into battle tomorrow to get a good deal on some sofas.

I've been into all the stores already and have noticed that a lot of them sell a package by a company called Guardsman to cover you for rips, spillages etc. to your furniture.

Now obviously I have no intention of taking out one of the policies, but was wondering if anybody knows whether they have the usual cooling off period as would be the case with say a warranty on electrical goods ?

My plan is to try to do a deal on the price if I buy the Guardsman cover and then cancel the Guradsman policy and get a full refund.

So does anybody have experience of this product ? Would it have the statutory cooling off period as per other warranties ?

Thanks.

jonesMUFCforever

Why bother - if you don't want it you don't want it.

dooper

A common negotiating ploy by dealers is to haggle a price for your suite and then clinch it by saying thats our best price and best of all it includes guardsman or whatever similar offering

Middle_Earth

ejones999 wrote:

Why bother - if you don't want it you don't want it.

I think you're missing the point somewhat, maybe I didn't explain myself clearly.

These warranties are hugely marked up and the retailer makes a large profit from them. They will usually give you a knock down price on your goods if you take out a warranty as they will be making this money back plus a bit through the warranty. These warranties usually have a 2 week cool off period so once you've done the deal you can simply cancel thus getting a full refund. Net effect being a nice discount on what you were buying.

I did this just the other week and managed to get £40 off a washing machine. The salesperson didn't even quibble at my proposal, deal was done swiftly and easily, I was surprised at how easy it was to be honest. 1 week later and I have a nice cheque for a full refund on the warranty.

jonesMUFCforever

But on the other hand if you go in to the shop with loads of money and say I want to buy a sofa and If I'm not happy with the price then I'm walking out of here, surely any decent salesman would rather do a deal than get nothing?

Be careful that you actually get the cooling off period as if you sign on the premises you may not get this (Or am I thinking of finance only?)

Middle_Earth

Don't worry, I intend to do a fair bit of negotiating first and then use the warranty as the final way to get a good deal.

There are 3 or 4 furniture places right next to each other (retail park) and as you rightly say, the best way to get their attention is to vote with your feet. Hopefully the threat of me taking my custom next door should give them something to think about.