Extended warranties

Supernova

Not sure if this is the right forum or if Martin already has an article about Extended warranties for techie stuff e.g. LCD TVs
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What do they cover? Currys told me that John Lewis or the manufacturer's warranty only covers parts whereas their warranty covers everything.

Is there a guide to this minefield somewhere? I'm looking to buy an LCD TV with as long a warranty as possible, well say 5 years.

Ta

ormus

i wouldnt even bother. most warranties are a complete waste of money.
a lcd telly in 5 yrs time will cost about 50/100 quid.

Little_John

Don't forget that the currys sales person is trying to get you to buy from currys. The get bonuses based on the number of extended warrenties that they sell. John Lewis give the warrenty away free.

superscaper

And unless accidental damage is covered (which it usually isn't unless it's insurance rather than warranty) it doesn't actually give you anything that you don't already have with your consumer rights. They're a complete waste of money and you don't get any benefit from having one (certainly not for what they cost).

Supernova

Well I have read some horror stories if something goes wrong after 18 months. LCDs are quite expensive to repair aren't they? What are the consumer rights and how enforcible are they?

I'm looking at a Panasonic 32" for £700 or so btw.

isofa

Buy from John Lewis, they offer a good standard warranty, and if something should occur outside this, they'll offer a much better customer service to help sort and repair it, for 9 times out of 10, a lot less than an extended warranty.

Extended Warranties, are a complete rip off, and the tactics to sell them have come under constant scrutiny from consumer groups.

A cheap shop rubbishing a quality shop's cover should help make your choice up too!

superscaper

Supernova wrote: »

Well I have read some horror stories if something goes wrong after 18 months. LCDs are quite expensive to repair aren't they? What are the consumer rights and how enforcible are they?

I'm looking at a Panasonic 32" for £700 or so btw.

Your consumer rights are simply what's enshrined in law. They're no difference in how enforceable they are than a warranty. I.e. a warranty gives you no more legal clout than the sale of goods act. I've never understood why some people think that a company who's unwilling to adhere to the law would suddenly be agreeable when it comes to their own warranty etc.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchan

The Sale of Goods Act covers you for a reasonable period up to six years. In the case of an expensive LCD or Plasma then that's likely to be 5 or 6 years.

Supernova

You mean they would try to wriggle out of it, arguing wear and tear, anyway?

Do people successfully invoke the sale of goods after 2 or 3 years?

superscaper

Supernova wrote: »

You mean they would try to wriggle out of it, arguing wear and tear, anyway?

Exactly the same could be said of any warranty. They could try but a quick case with the small claims court would put them right. As I said a warranty doesn't give you any greater protection. The only point in getting an extended warranty is if it offers you something more and in addition to your existing rights. I can't think of any question that couldn't equally apply to a warranty.

Invoking the sale of goods act after 2/3 years is no different than invoking your warranty after 2/3 years. The procedures are exactly the same if the company responsible refuses or agrees.

isofa

A good retailer will always look after you regardless of the warranty period, a bad retailing trying to sell bad insurance/warranties, will usually take your money, and be less than interested when you return just out of the warranty period. I speak from experience!

superscaper

isofa wrote: »

A good retailer will always look after you regardless of the warranty period, a bad retailing trying to sell bad insurance/warranties, will usually take your money, and be less than interested when you return just out of the warranty period. I speak from experience!

In my experience it has mostly been easier to deal with manufacturer's warranties than the responsibility of the retailer but as you said it all comes down to the company you deal with. If they're a bad company then it doesn't matter whether you're using a warranty or SOGA you'll run into trouble and non-cooperation and ignoring their legal responsibilities (e.g. Mesh's onsite warranty is a waste and they never adhere to it). Good companies you shouldn't even need to quote SOGA, and the best ones exceed expectation and go beyond what they are legally required to do. E.g. my last mouse developed a fault and Scan replaced it with a better more expensive one.