Is That Extented Warranty Worth The Money?
Jul 23 '00
The purpose of this review is to touch on the "extended warranty" that you will be offered when you buy your computer. Is is a worthwhile purchase, or all you just being had?
This Compaq that I bought two years ago came with a one year, in home warranty. I was offered by CompUSA their extended warranty for a total of five years, in home again, for just under $150. Although I do not buy extended warranties of any type, this seemed like a good idea, considering that:
1. Computers break down!
2. I live 4 hours from the store where purchased.
3. It was all inclusive, regardless, and they would come here and fix it.
4. Finally, since a computer will probably die within that time frame, it would be money well spent, as if it cannot be fixed, it will be replaced.
Doesn't that sound like a "good deal"? Well, think again. There is lots of fine print in the warranty, but the "smallest" issue is the time factor. They state, and I quote " repairs will be completed in a reasonable time". Well, what is reasonable? To me, I need my computer to be up and running. Reasonable is not SIX weeks from now. Reasonable is not a 5 tiered service system that you end up three weeks after you called finding out that the part is on back order. Reasonable by my definition is: sometime within a week a tech will be at your door to repair or replace your computer. After all, with the exception of the "very fine" print you are to receive:
1. Product replacement guarantee
2. On-Site repairs
3. Preventive maintenance
4. Fully insured for parts and labor
5. No lemon guarantee
6. Power surge protection
7. No deductibles or hidden charges
Two times I have tried to use this warranty. Two times is has failed me miserably as a customer.
FIRST: I called the "Technology Assurance Program", pushed all the right buttons to get to a person. After about two minutes of conversation, the diagnosis was "it's your hard drive"! Gee, my doctor cannot even get me in an out that fast. Well, the computer was still working, made some funny noises, and I just waited. As I said earlier, about three weeks later, I got a phone call that the part was on back order. Of course, they will tell you that only a Compaq hard drive can go in a Compaq computer, but don't believe a word they say. Finally I got a call from some lady who's husband did repairs in his spare time. That was a real confident feeling I had! I ask her to have him call me to discuss the matter, and basically he said" lady, they are paying me to replace your hard drive, so don't expect me to diagnosis anything". I cancelled the appointment. So much for the hard drive. It seems to be working fine.
SECOND: A few days ago lightning zapped my modem! Boy, that puts a real crimp in my epinions reading, rating and writing, not to mention everything else. Okay, I called those people again, and explained that I had checked around, and a modem was about $50, and when could a tech get out here? Guess what....the "reasonable time" factor was a real issue because my computer couldn't do what I needed without a modem. I even offered to get a modem myself, call the techs and have them guide me through the installation. Again, I was told NO! Finally, I contacted the manager of the Tulsa, Oklahoma store. He actually was sympathetic, but said it had to go through the "system". This just was not working. Finally, with a great deal of conversation, he agreed to let me get someone out here to replace it. Of course, he added that nothing but a Compaq modem would work in my computer. Well, he was wrong. A great guy came out, put a US Robotics modem in, did some checking on other things, and I sent the bill to the manager of the store.
So, as you can see, my experience with an extended warranty has become the issue of time. Time is a very important factor when it involves something we use daily.
If you decide to buy an extended warranty for your computer, MAKE SURE that they do not have unlimited time in which to take care of your problem.
Make positively sure that you are REALLY getting "what you paid for!"
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sweetsue_98
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