Finally I’ve convinced my self to purchase a new laptop. Actually, the truth is, I’ve been convinced my someone to purchase a new laptop. A good idea in it self, except I’m having a hard time coming to terms parting with my money. Don’t get me wrong though, I really could use a new laptop, because it would come in good use in my travels (FYI – heavy travel schedule in the first quarter of 2012) to write my posts from abroad.And after some arm twisting, I finally decided to enter the laptop crawl of going from store to store to check out my options.
Let me tell you: there is a shit load of great laptop deals out there now. Seems like everyone is having the great laptop sale. I know generally what kind of a laptop I want and I consider my self as techy geek. No, I am not a tech pro, but I’ve fixed a few (being generous here) computers in my life and know what to look for when buying a computer, be a laptop or a desktop for that matter.
However, this post is not a guide about buying a laptop, but rather saying “NO” to extended computer warranty. Every computer retailer thinks they can offer you great IT solutions and one of them is extended warranty. Purchasing extended warranty is a rip off, you will lose and are an idiot if you purchase extended computer warranty.
You’re probably wondering: “Hey, who’s this playa to call me an idiot?”, but bare with me. Allow me two minutes of your precious time by reading my reasons to avoid purchasing extended computer warranty:
1. Your product already has a warranty
All “NEW” computers, desktops or laptops come with manufacturers warranty. This warranty covers you from basic defects or failure of any sort. However, manufacturers warranty does not cover foolish prone errors, such as you spilling coffee onto your laptop keyboard. If that happens, you might as well say goodbye to your laptop and head straight back to the store and purchase a new laptop.
2. Warranty costs more, than the repair it self
Most repairs are minor within the first, let’s say two years of your new computer life. Maybe your DVD drive craps out, no biggie, it will be replaced. The cost to replace a DVD drive/burner is less than $45 and you paid well over $150 for your extended warranty.
3. Read the fine print
Extended warranties typically cover only parts and not the labor. In most instances, they will cover both, but again at your cost. They might say something like this to you “Well your windows crashed and it’s covered under warranty, but the reason it crashed is because you downloaded a virus!”. Meanwhile, you have no clue if you did download a virus or not, but you just need your computer back, because you got precious data on there.
4. Got Gold or Platinum?
If you got a gold or platinum credit-card, just purchase your computer on your credit-card and then run home to transfer the cash from your bank account to your credit card, after all you want to pay cash and not with credit. By purchasing your new computer via gold or platinum credit-card, your credit-card provided automatically doubles the manufacturers warranty. Most credit-cards today offer extended warranty, so it’s always wise to call ahead and ask your credit card provider.
Hopefully I talked some sense in to you on saying “NO” to extended warranties. The same principle can be applied to any type of technology. Today’s technology is ever changing and what’s expensive today, will be dirt cheap in a few months. I surely hope you take my advice and if not, well than may the force be with you.
I never buy warranties. and I don’t think I’ve ever needed one …
Some things need warranties, just not extended warranties, such as electronics.
Managed to get a platinum credit card through my mortgage lender – I get any product warranty TRIPLED. I love watching the expressions on the faces of salespeople as I tell them. So stupid to repay for something you already have! Researching the item first is a hugely important tip.
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