Is John Lewis Added Care worth it?

Squeezie

I'm looking at buying a new washing machine (mid-range Bosch) from John Lewis. They offer "Added Care" which is basically an extended warranty for 5 years for £95 and I'm tempted. My previous two washing machines (actually washer-dryers) both needed multiple repairs and I would have saved money if I'd spent the £95 up front!

However, I am now buying just a washing machine which I'm hoping will be less problematic that the washer/dryers and won't need repairing.

Has anyone had any experience with the Added Care? Is it worth it, in your opinion?

JohnB47

Squeezie wrote: »

I'm looking at buying a new washing machine (mid-range Bosch) from John Lewis. They offer "Added Care" which is basically an extended warranty for 5 years for £95 and I'm tempted. My previous two washing machines (actually washer-dryers) both needed multiple repairs and I would have saved money if I'd spent the £95 up front!

However, I am now buying just a washing machine which I'm hoping will be less problematic that the washer/dryers and won't need repairing.

Has anyone had any experience with the Added Care? Is it worth it, in your opinion?

Look very carefully at what you are being offered. I bought a hard disk recorder from them and decided to go for added care, thinking that it extended the warranty period. When I got the paperwork through, it still quoted the original warranty period and when I called them they confirmed that the additional warranty gave extra cover for things like accidental damage but did not extend the warranty period. I said their offer was confusing and got a refund.

Just make sure you understand the offer.

Edit: I've just had a look at their site and I'm sure it's not an offer to extend the warranty period. It's basically the original warranty period, 2 years except for tvs which are 5 years, extended to include other things. I suggest you call them to clarify - their number is given on the web page showing the warranty details. BTW, you may be able to get a better warranty, including an extension of the period of cover, from Bosch themselves. You often don't know that until you've received the goods and paperwork.

sniggings

JohnB47 wrote: »

Look very carefully at what you are being offered. I bought a hard disk recorder from them and decided to go for added care, thinking that it extended the warranty period. When I got the paperwork through, it still quoted the original warranty period and when I called them they confirmed that the additional warranty gave extra cover for things like accidental damage but did not extend the warranty period. I said their offer was confusing and got a refund.

Just make sure you understand the offer.

Edit: I've just had a look at their site and I'm sure it's not an offer to extend the warranty period. It's basically the original warranty period, 2 years except for tvs which are 5 years, extended to include other things. I suggest you call them to clarify - their number is given on the web page showing the warranty details. BTW, you may be able to get a better warranty, including an extension of the period of cover, from Bosch themselves. You often don't know that until you've received the goods and paperwork.

you are still confused...how it works is, you get the standard warranty from JL, which is 2 years for all electrical (gas too) items, then if you buy the care plan for 3 years, that's a total of 3years,the standard 2+1=3, and the 5 year is the standard 2 years plus an extra 3 years,for a total of 5.

OP if you can afford it I think it's worth taking for an extra 3 years piece of mind, being JL it should be a good service too.

vansboy

But dont forget, depending on your credit card or bank account, if you pay using the right one, you may well have an extra years warranty after the makers one runs, already included.

So if you choose a machine with 2 years MAKERS (not retailers) cover anyway, it would mean you'll be paying £95 for just two final years cover - thats probably a third towards a new machine in the future!

VB

JohnB47

sniggings wrote: »

you are still confused...how it works is, you get the standard warranty from JL, which is 2 years for all electrical (gas too) items, then if you buy the care plan for 3 years, that's a total of 3years,the standard 2+1=3, and the 5 year is the standard 2 years plus an extra 3 years,for a total of 5.

OP if you can afford it I think it's worth taking for an extra 3 years piece of mind, being JL it should be a good service too.

Nope, I'm sure I'm not confused, because I clarified this very point with the John Lewis warranty department. The extended portion only includes the 'added warranty' parts (accidental breakage etc.). It does not extend the basic 2 year (or whatever) breakdown insurance. If you don't believe me, ask John Lewis or if you have such a warranty, look at your paperwork. It still quotes the 2 or 5 year standard cover period.

SuzieSue

Some of the Siemens washing machines come with a 5 year guarantee as a special offer.

[Deleted User]

I'm sat waiting for my new washer dryer to arrive now, I ordered an Indesit because they rated best for reliability after Miele, which cost three times as much. My previous one lasted 15 years, the one before that 12 years. It's never a good bet buying breakdown cover, the insurance companies are making a profit because they take more in premiums than they pay out in claims.

sniggings

JohnB47 wrote: »

Nope, I'm sure I'm not confused, because I clarified this very point with the John Lewis warranty department. The extended portion only includes the 'added warranty' parts (accidental breakage etc.). It does not extend the basic 2 year (or whatever) breakdown insurance. If you don't believe me, ask John Lewis or if you have such a warranty, look at your paperwork. It still quotes the 2 or 5 year standard cover period.

sorry but you are either confused (not meant rudely) or JL told you the wrong info on the phone, as of course the extra care fully covers you, you get the same cover as the first 2years for either a total of 3 or 5 years PLUS other benefits too.

Clearly says as much on their site

http://www.johnlewis.com/our-services/more-about-added-care

All electrical products you buy from us are guaranteed for a minimum of 2 years, at no extra cost. With Added Care (previously called Service Plan), you'll enjoy the same benefits for a period of up to 5 years, while also adding further benefits not included in the original guarantee.

JohnB47

sniggings wrote: »

sorry but you are either confused (not meant rudely) or JL told you the wrong info on the phone, as of course the extra care fully covers you, you get the same cover as the first 2years for either a total of 3 or 5 years PLUS other benefits too.

Clearly says as much on their site

http://www.johnlewis.com/our-services/more-about-added-care

OK I've worked this out now. For home appliances, which includes washing machines, the warranty is indeed extended to 5 years. But for small appliances and technology items, which I had bought, the 2 year warranty is extended to only 3 years. I had thought that I was getting a warranty extension of 3 years, to a total of 5 but on receiving the paperwork, discovered that it was an extension if only 1 year, albeit with extra cover. That's why I cancelled it.

teddysmum

The titles of these extra warranties are somewhat misleading as they are not , for instance, for 5 years, as they overlap with the original manufacturer's warranty period.

Furts

Televisions purchased from Costco come with an automatic five year no quibble warranty - I have not checked what they offer on washing machines. I have seen the Meytag brand in their stores, IIRR.

When I renewed my kitchen in 2012, the appliances all came from a local shop - a member of the Euronics buying group. The prices were negotiated to undercut all internet prices, and the warranties were all negotiated to be extended at no extra cost to me. I doubt that I could have done this with Currys.

I have recently had an issue with the Rangemaster - it has been resolved promptly, at no cost to me.

Were I buying a new washing machine I would be adopting the same approach again.