Consumer Reports

[ericadawn16]

Consumer Reports was in the news again and I'm really beginning to wonder about them. They were discussing extended warranties and how it's not necessary for most products. Fine, I understand how I have never used that with a microwave or bothered with one for a printer BUT they included the computers themselves!!!

Seriously? Can you name me more than three computers that didn't need to be serviced in their first three years?

For example, my computer recently went through its power supply within thirteen months of use BUT because I paid the $75 or so at the original purchase, my cost for the power supply and replacing it, which required the computer being sent away...ZERO.
My cost when my old computer needed a new power supply? $300

Hmm, $300 or ZERO, such a hard decision, I think I'll stick with my extended warranties. I also took out a three year warranty on my new iPod since I didn't renew my warranty this year for the first iPod and it broke, go me.

So, if it's something where the repair or replacement could easily be over a hundred? GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!

Here's the link to read for yourself.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/news/november-2006/why-you-dont-need-an-extended-warranty-11-06/overview/extended-warranty-11-06.htm

Comments

[madkatstar-pir8.livejournal.com]

Ugh, my dad reads consumer reports like it's the Holy Bible of product reviews or something. And this is why he never gets warranties and end up paying a bunch of money when something DOES go wrong.

But yeah, you should always get the extended warranty on a computer or ipod at the very least.

[pktaxwench.livejournal.com]

UM... I'm still using my 12 year old computer that runs Windows 98......only bought a new one because I couldn't install turbotax 2006 on it. Now I use my new one more often, and it's 4 years old and the only 'servicing' it's been in for is upgrades because I wanted it pimped out. The old one still gets use. tho. I like it. Hate Vista.

You must be buying crappy, low-end computers if they tend to fail on you. Instead of wasting money on an extended warranty, buy a nicer computer. And iPods? Most break due to user abuse. Mine is 3 years old. Works lovely, but it never leaves the car.

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

You and two others are my ONLY friends using computers more than ten years old. Everyone else is using computers that are less than that and usually require a major repair or two before their fourth year of use. I think your case would be the exception and not the rule. I know they claim that only 43% of laptops and 31% need repairs but I have to wonder what those statistics were based on. Is it consumers being asked or the actual store records? Because consumers have a tendency to forget such things.

Out of curiosity, what brand is your twelve year old functioning computer?

Yes, my iPod did break due to user abuse since I drop it and/or my phone almost every day but how realistic is it to expect that people keep theirs in their car at all times? Also, that would be exposing the iPod to very high temperatures for long periods of time which could destroy the screen and cars have been known to be broken into before.

[pktaxwench.livejournal.com]

The old one is an HP pavilion. Hewlett Packard made stuff to last. I'm still using my Deskjet 712 that I bought with it. It sucks down ink tho, so I admit it's sat idle the past 4 years in Colorado's dry air.

user abuse. 'nuff said. Phones are another story.. they go through the washer all the time. It really pisses me off to have to use an old one while the new one dries out each time.

[baine.livejournal.com]

I'll buy the warranty for something expensive like a computer, or even for something like my nook (which I bought refurb from bn.com) or my mp3 player (which I've used TWICE...something was wrong with my Zen in Japan and Best Buy replaced it for an ipod, then something happened to THAT...and I'm careful with my stuff. It wasn't abuse). At the same time, I won't get a warranty out on something like a PS3 (which was limited for one year and I wound up needing to sending in last month before it expired...but that WAS my fault...I dropped it...). So it depends.

My mom just bought a new TV stand from Ashley Furniture yesterday and got a $60 warranty. If nothing happens to it, she'll get $60 in credit in five years when it expires. Pretty cool!