People That Buy New.... (Warranty)

[RickyWoo]

Quick poll to see what you do when you buy new..

First off, it's common ground for most manufacturers to offer a lifetime limited warranty, however that only gets you so far, if there is a manufacturer's defect or other failure. Not to mention, you don't get some of the perks that you pay extra for on an extension. Most brick & mortar retailers of new instruments offer some sort of "extended warranty" on their sales (Sometimes including normal wear and tear [fret wear], set-ups, product replacement of equal or higher value, and loaners while out for surgery. For higher priced purchases, I will typically extend the warranty for the additional $25/year, so there's no hassle if something goes south. You never know, right?

But...

A full year of moderate to heavy use is a pretty good time frame to know that your instrument or other high ticket gear is performing without fail. So, for those that do opt for the extension, what is your cut-off for maintaining warranty (insurance) fees that can be topped up annually? How many of you don't take the option at all?

Feel free to clarify.

Cheers,
RickyWoo

 

[bholder]

I am of the opinion that 99.9% of extended warranties are money-grubbing scams. YMMV.

 

[shawshank72]

I am of the opinion that 99.9% of extended warranties are money-grubbing scams. YMMV.

I second this opinion.

 

[RickyWoo]

I am of the opinion that 99.9% of extended warranties are money-grubbing scams. YMMV.

That's your prerogative and I respect it.

In the grand scheme of things, for sure the retailer comes out ahead. That's why they do it. It's insurance. Same applies to household/car insurance. $25 (for an individual purchase) is peace of mind, to me. Of course "YMMV", which is why I applied the option to vote for the opinion you adhere to.

 

[bholder]

That's your prerogative and I respect it.

In the grand scheme of things, for sure the retailer comes out ahead. That's why they do it. It's insurance. Same applies to household/car insurance. $25 (for an individual purchase) is peace of mind, to me. Of course "YMMV", which is why I applied the option to vote for the opinion you adhere to.

I'll admit I did buy the extra "warranty" for my new cell phone, simply because it's so slippery (rounded edges) I'm afraid I'll drop it.

 

[murmur70]

If companies weren't making money off of extended warranties, they wouldn't be selling them.

 

[Spidey2112]

I usually pay for bigger purchases with the credit card, and if I deem the purchase worthy of jumping through a few hoops for, I extend the warranty through the CC company... IIRC, I think they go up to an extra year...

... it's a free benefit, though. Check with yours... might save you $25.

 

[RickyWoo]

I usually pay for bigger purchases with the credit card, and if I deem the purchase worthy of jumping through a few hoops for, I extend the warranty through the CC company... IIRC, I think they go up to an extra year...

... it's a free benefit, though. Check with yours... might save you $25.

I will check on that in the future. Thanks Spidey!

 

[gwangi]

I am of the opinion that 99.9% of extended warranties are money-grubbing scams. YMMV.

Said it in a nut-shell!!!!

 

[InhumanResource]

I don't see any value add in purchasing a warranty on something as simple as a bass. Short of needing serious repair for a smashed neck or something like a fretjob I can pretty much do whatever needs to be done to keep them running.

I would consider it on a brand new amp just because I am totally beached if the thing blows up. Having said that, I have been playing used amps forever and never had one fail on me during a gig.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

It's important to read the fine print. A limited warranty is just that. Limited to specific things. Some extended warranties sold by retailers cover everything (some even including breakage), some don't.

 

[JakobT]

In Norway, we have a legal right to register complaints about a new product for either two or five years, depending on the expected lifetime of the product, regardless of the manufacturer’s warranty. If the defect is the fault of the manufacturer or seller, they are legally obligated to replace or repair it.

 

[Bass Viking]

IMO extended warranties are only worth considering when it’s a large appliance where repair requires a service visit.

 

[Two-Spirit]

I buy stuff B stock or used but If I buy new I expect at least a year warranty for that price.

 

[40Hz]

Most electronics exhibit infant mortality if there’s going to be a problem. They usually fail within the first three months. If they get past that they tend to go on for years with no issues.

I’d consider certain extra warranties for big ticket electronics where it provided for a “no questions” return and swap for a replacement from where it was purchased. For something requiring shipping out for a depot repair, I’d be less inclined. Especially since that can take weeks before you get the thing back, and a 4-6 week turnaround isn’t unusual.

Sweetwater and GC double the manufacturer’s warranty at no charge so I’ll gladly take that. But paying for a separate extended warranty for music gear doesn’t necessarily make sense if you buy quality stuff and treat it well. Physical damage isn’t covered under those warranties anyway. And the good stuff tends to hold up.

About the only thing I’ve ever sprung for an extended warranty on was an expensive keyboard (Korg M1) I bought when they first came out. I paid a decent chunk of cash for the “privilege” of being an early adopter with that one.

Interestingly enough, I never had a single problem with it. All it ever needed was to have the internal lithium battery replaced after about 25 years. And thanks to the web and YouTube, that was something I was able to easily handle myself since the thing is more like a computer than a piece of music equipment under the hood. So I felt right at home.

 

[bholder]

If they get past that they tend to go on for years with no issues.

True in general but my experience with laptops in the last 10 years has been that they tend to fry their brains or General Failure (whoever he is) reads the hard drive within 5 days of the warranty expiring. Planned obsolescence stinks.

 

[Ulf Buck]

It's expensive insurance plain and simple. I think most gear if it makes it past 90 days it should be good to go.

 

[dan1952]

When I worked for Sears back in the 70's, the company often made more money on the extended warranty than on he actual product. The salesman made a bigger commission on the sale of the warranty, too.

 

[RickyWoo]

$25 is expensive? Yes, retailers make big gains on warranty, but is $25 really expensive for the piece of mind? I see a lot of posts here about the nightmares they've suffered with manufacturer warranty and other woes, so where are those folks? $25 to get a fret job? Yes please. $25 to have an instant loaner so you can play a gig? Yes please. Not everyone has an arsenal of basses. Many have 1 or 2 gigging instruments.

PS... I'm liking hearing the input so far.

 

[RickyWoo]

When I bought my Rick, with a ton of research, I paid the bill for the extension. Had I suffered the horror stories I've read here, the $25 would have been a godsend to have an immediate replacement or loaner, as it was my highest quality instrument. Back on the road just like that. The warranty has long expired and I'm confident that anything that can go wrong, from this point, is pretty well wear and tear...unless something totally obtuse happens. So yeah... I'm out $25... They're up $25. They could have been out A LOT more and vice versa. So...was worth it? I think so.

Not pushing that anyone should adhere to my thoughts either. I'm just checking to see what you all do, like said, without judgement.