Electronics

[ChynnaBlue]

I do not. Two months ago, I dropped my iPhone and shattered the screen. First time I've ever had an iPhone break and I've had an iPhone since 2007. I did not buy the Apple Care plan, but I contacted some local repair places and they fixed it. Here's how it breaks down:

Apple Care for an iPhone - $99

Apple Care deductible for a screen repair - $79.

Total Apple Care cost: $178.

Apple Charges $129 to repair an iPhone 5s screen without Apple Care, as did the local place I took mine to. I saved nearly $50 by not having Apple Care. (I could have saved $60 if I'd known the local repair place had a $10 coupon on Yelp.) And I got my phone fixed in an hour.

I would have to replace my screen twice or have a catastrophic event to make Apple Care worth it. If I had bought the Apple Care plan for all my iPhones (I'm on my third), I would have spent $297 on what amounts to insurance and $79 for the new screen. Instead, I've spent $129 on repairs.

I would never drive a car without insurance, but I don't get it for my electronics.

[deeva]

No, retailers always push extended warranties because they make a huge profit on selling them to customers.

[GCR18]

No, I don't buy protection plans on electronics.

[mima]

Nope, never. I really thought about it when I bought my high dollar Samsung Note 3 outright (not on a contract), but decided not to. So far so good.

It is a gamble, but I have saved so much through the years buy not buying it, if I do break something and have to buy new it will still be way cheaper than buying the extra insurance for everything I've bought in the past.

[Moonchilde]

I never buy manufacturers extra warranties, or Big Box warranties, but Square Trade warranties are inexpensive for what they cover and the service they provide, so I do have a few - on cameras, and an iPad and iPhone. I figure how long the mfg warranty is vs. what a ST warranty costs vs. how long before technology has overtaken my model and/or what I'd have to pay for a replacement, and decide if I should get the warranty or not. Digital cameras, for example, can malfunction more than some other electronics.

[roundbale]

When I purchased my HP laptop 3 yrs ago, I also purchased a 3 yr warranty from Square Trade. Two weeks before expiration a driver needed to be replaced. They told me to have it repaired and send them the bill. The check came 2 days later!!!! Great customer service!

[roundbale]

When I purchased my HP laptop 3 yrs ago, I also purchased a 3 yr warranty from Square Trade. Two weeks before expiration a driver needed to be replaced. They told me to have it repaired and send them the bill. The check came 2 days later!!!! Great customer service!

[hckynut]

Do You Take Out Protection Plans For Your Electronics

The only "protection plans" I've ever taken out in my life are on the many new cars that I ordered. Most came with only 1 year warranties, and since I sell all of them myself, having a remaining warranty on them always makes them much easier to sell. Through in low mileage and excellent condition and I've never had a problem selling any of them for the price I have wanted.

While I've bought electronics since the 1950's, many of them things most here probably didn't know existed, I have never, ever purchased an extended warranty on any of them. I also have never had a reason to regret my decisions. In other words, nothing went so seriously wrong with any of them, that I felt bad for not taking out a "protection plan".

[DiAnne]

I never purchase extended warranties on anything - appliances, electronics or cars. Over the years I have never had anything happen that would have been covered by the warranty. I am sure something eventually will but figure I have saved enough that it will have been worth it.

[glb613]

On 9/29/2014 Skylands said:

FYI...............Consumer Report states that these extended warranties are a waste of $$$.

I agree.