Extended warantees

There are a bunch of members who will chime in on this one, market16, but the extended warranties are the best back up out there, to ensure your appliance lasts many years.  Along with repair service being taken care of, it also covers yearly preventative maintenance checks, which may avoid any major issues before they start.

Kenmore appliances are the best out there.  Check out reviews of Kenmore vs. any other appliance, and you will see they are as good as you can get.

What kind of appliance are you shopping for?

I'm shopping for a range.  I had a Maytag slide-in, but the touch panel would go out and need to be replaced.  This time I am replacing the stove.  I'm tired of this expense and inconvenience.  I will probably stay away from slide in even though I like the look.  I haven't had any responses to my slide in questions on the new models.

Thanks for your response.

Do you need gas or electric for your range? Kenmore offers slide-in and free-standing ranges with glass temperature/touch sensing control panels (Kenmore Elite models only), which are also extremely easy to clean and the surface can't wear out like the plastic sometimes (though not commonly) can do.

I always recommend the protection agreement, and have quite a few myself. I most certainly wouldn't recommend something I wouldn't be comfortable purchasing for myself. I've got a whole section of my blog devoted to the protection agreement, and sears.com has a page devoted to it as well. There have also been multiple discussions here about them, and the majority opinion is that they're an excellent investment.

Now, I'm aware that Consumer Reports pooh-poohs them, but here's the thing: when/if there's an issue with the appliance (not that there WILL be, but we all know stuff happens), is Consumer Reports going to help you pay for it? They're welcome to recommend whatever they like, and generally they're a fantastic resource, but when you factor in things like food loss coverage (for refrigeration), annual preventive maintenance checks, rental reimbursement, parts/labor/trip charges covered 100% for defects AND normal wear and tear, a no-lemon guarantee, and the Sears service network - including store associates, the people here, and the people at 800 4 MY HOME - you get a whole lot of bang for your buck.

If you use your annual check-ups (which include thermostat calibration), you've already gotten more than your money's worth. After that, anything that you may need is gravy.

JD Powers recent appliance survey rated Sears Kenmore Elite appliances in the top three in many categories.

Take advantage of the PM checks that are scheduled by you each year.

So as not to forget, you can use one of many schedule reminder type software, that will send message to your email to call Sears for that yearly PM, thats what I do and it works quite well.

Google Reminder/ MS Outlook /

Extended is not quite an accurate term.

The Protection Agreements offer features and services that the initial Manufacturer's defect warranty just DOESN'T offer.

The optional Sears Protection Plan, on smaller items, like battery powered tools is also a valuable tool to protect your investment dollars.

I had a control board in my dishwasher "go out" about 1-1/2 months before Christmas.

Without my Protection Agreement, I was shown the total repair bill would have been $351 for parts and labor to fix the machine.

Yes, of course, Sears makes money on its Service business, but that agreement saved ME a big repair bill, right before a major spending holiday.

I have MPPs on every appliance I own and I have been happy with them.

Not only are repairs covered, but replacements as well. Sears is great about honoring the agreements unlike other stores. I have heard nightmares from other people who bought from other stores, having to bring big appliances into the store, being without appliances for months while they are "sent out" for repairs, etc. I can understand how MPPs get a bad name, but you will never have those problems with Sears.

I have had 2 appliances replaced due to issues(Sears threw in an upgrade both times) and I have had 2 appliances that needed several major repairs(out of many). It is just smart.

Because they are so profitable, salespeople at the retail stores (not just Sears) gets "spiffs" and additional incentives to sell extended warranties.  For most people, the value isn't there, and so the money is wasted; most people are better off self-insuring (ie saving the money they'd have spent on warranties - put it in the bank).

If something is that likely to fail in year 3 (your credit card will double your warranty for year 2) that you're willing to pay 20% more for a warranty for just that year 3, you're buying the wrong (ie unreliable) product. 

your credit card will double your warranty for year 2

Has anybody ever actually used this benefit? Wonder how Citibank services those customers....

madgolfer said…

your credit card will double your warranty for year 2

Has anybody ever actually used this benefit? Wonder how Citibank services those customers....

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I've used it all the time.  Here are a few links you can use to read about this:

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/guidetobenefits/index.html

http://usa.visa.com/personal/visa-signature/benefits/warranty-manager.jsp#anchor_2

All free with your credit card.  

Don't "buy" into the warranty hype.  Get an extended warranty free with your credit card. 

I've used it all the time.

So if I used my Mastercard today, they'd reimburse my very unsatisfactory round of golf or for the ProV1 lost in the river? I think not. Haven't heard of a single instance. What did you use it for and who provided the sales receipt?

madgolfer said…

I've used it all the time.

So if I used my Mastercard today, they'd reimburse my very unsatisfactory round of golf or for the ProV1 lost in the river? I think not. Haven't heard of a single instance. What did you use it for and who provided the sales receipt?

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Wow - you really should read your Mastercard agreements if you don't know what they cover.   

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/guidetobenefits/index.html

Anyway, stop setting up strawmen.  You are fully aware that's not what I said.  

Don't do it!! Protection agreement (read non-paying!) customers go to the bottom of the list when it comes to repair appointments.  You'll probably wait 10 days to 2 weeks to even get someone to come and look at your appliance, and then expect another long wait if they have to order a part!

missyb0522 said…

Don't do it!! Protection agreement (read non-paying!) customers go to the bottom of the list when it comes to repair appointments.  You'll probably wait 10 days to 2 weeks to even get someone to come and look at your appliance, and then expect another long wait if they have to order a part!

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Hmm...then go to somewhere where repairs are professionally managed and the business is professionally run.  Simple enough.  

You are treated equally, not better or worse, than any other customer. You simply don't have to pay for the parts, labor, or trip charges. The scheduling is based on availability, not whether you purchased a protection agreement or not. Dishonesty is the fast track to losing any credibility.

I've had very good experience with my Protection Agreements and it is the purchase of these agreements that gives Sears a competitive service edge over much of its competition.

Once the Manufacture's Defect coverage is over with, you are pretty much on your own in a very technical and specialized parts world of appliances.

I appreciate, and am willing to invest in, on going service coverage.

AdamO said…

I've had very good experience with my Protection Agreements and it is the purchase of these agreements that gives Sears a competitive service edge over much of its competition.

Once the Manufacture's Defect coverage is over with, you are pretty much on your own in a very technical and specialized parts world of appliances.

I appreciate, and am willing to invest in, on going service coverage.

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The fact of the matter, though, is that you'll pay in more than any retailer will ever pay out.  Given this model, why would you ever do this?  Self-insure, and save the money for your own use rather than the retailers.