There are warranties, and there are warranties.
I like the ones where if something breaks within the coverage period, the item is replaced. Just a simple exchange - no taking it to the shop for a repair or involved troubleshooting over the phone - just an exchange.
There also are ones like the the car warranties or tire warranties where the affected items or parts are replaced or repaired with a small deductible.
Then there are the warranties that are only good until you open the product.
Such is the warranties on battery backups for computers (UPS). The manufacturers go to great lengths to advertise all over the package how much money they will give you if your products fail while connected to their battery. There's only one problem. You can't prove their product failed - even when it does.
Saturday, I lost motherboard #2 to lightening. Lost the 1st one last fall. Neither was a direct lightening hit so there is no singed battery backup unit. It just simply failed to stop the static electricity surge. I'm discovering that this is common - that they really can't stop a lightening surge.
That said, battery backups are a good idea for normal power outages, but when it comes to lightening they are no match - and neither is their warranty.
Just how do you go about "proving" that their product actually failed? You can't. Nice warranty.
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Been ther done that. They are worthless at backing up their product as well.
I'm like you Steve! I love the no questions asked, give me the new one warranty...
In this economic climate, you wonder whether some of the businesses will be around to service the warranty.
Terry,
All this means is that we should should just shop price and that's about it. :)
Steve
Paul,
That does make life go a bit easier, doesn't it? :)
Steve
I always wondered why they gave such great warranties .. now I know.
Ryan,
That's true, but with products that basically have no warranty, it doesn't much matter. :)
Steve
I seldom buy al extended warrenties anymore. I find by the time something goes bad, it is time to upgrade anyway!
Bob,
Like is so often true, talk (or printed claims) is cheap. :)
Steve
William,
I'm with you. I only buy an extended warranty on things like a printer - I seem to have pretty bad luck with them. :)
Steve