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- spyderx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15This article is obvious, but a GREAT reminder. For those of you that don't have a card with this type of protection GET ONE. The fact you're on digg assumes you like electronics, it's worth it. I've used an Amex card for almost 10 years now and it pays for itself year after year (there is a fee for Amex). Example: I buy a scarf for my girlfriend at the time, about a month later we're at a bar, it gets stolen, I call Amex, a week later I have a check for the $250 the scarf cost. Their customer service is excellent and what sets them apart from other credit card vendors.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -7/+18Text mirror (There are no pictures on the site so help save the guy's bandwith bill!):
Sick of listening to us tell you not to buy the extended warranty at Best Buy? Listen to this: David first wrote to us back in December about a laptop he'd purchased for his sister-in-law as a Christmas gift the year before. The laptop, a Compaq, had simply stopped working two weeks after its one-year warranty (from date of purchase) had ended. David found this especially frustrating, because his sister-in-law had not even opened the laptop until Christmas. From David's email:
"So I dug out the receipt and she called Compaq/HP. She told them everything and they said it needed to be sent in for repair and that they WOULD cover it under the 1 year warranty. So she had me fax them the receipt. When she called back they said that they WOULD NOT cover it.
Now I am mad. So I called back this morning and went through the whole thing with several layers of managers and what not all saying no. I find this absolutely ridiculous...is there anything I can do? Should I contact HP non-support customer service? I just find this so ridiculous. I literally could have bought the laptop a week later, still given it to her on Christmas, and thus it would have broken the same time, and it would be covered."
After a bit of research, we knew David had pretty much exhausted his options with Compaq, but there was still hope. Even without an extended warranty, we helped David get his laptop replaced. How? Read our response to David and his success story inside.
The Consumerist writes:
"David,
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Technically, you are past the one year warranty and they don't have to help you. The way I see it, you have two options.
1) You can try to get in touch with a supervisor and plead your case. Play the Christmas card. (No pun intended.) You might find someone sympathetic who will help you out. They are not obligated to help, so be nice.
2) If you bought the laptop with a credit card, you might not have any problems at all, which is why we always, always, always suggest you buy large tech items with a credit card. Say, for example, you had a Citi Mastercard:
"Extended Warranty is a special benefit offered to Citi™ Platinum and Gold MasterCard® Cardmembers. This service enables you to make a claim for repairs if the original manufacturer's warranty has expired on an item you purchased on your MasterCard card. Your claim must be made within the Citibank® Extended Warranty period (double the time of the manufacturer's warranty, up to one additional year). No registration is necessary."
You can submit your info to Citi and make a claim for repairs through them. Lots of credit cards have this. If you don't have a card that does, we suggest you get one specifically for this type of purchase. You don't need to carry a balance on it to be eligible for this program, and you don't need to register.
Some debit cards also have the Extended Warranty benefit. You might want to check to see if yours does.
Please let me know if this advice helped you. If you get your laptop repaired we'd love to post your story! Good luck and keep in touch.
Yours,
Meghann"
David writes:
"Meghann,
I wanted to follow up with you concerning our emails copied below to let you know that your help was incredible. I have an American Express Rewards card that I use for everything. I love the customer service from Amex and the fact that I have to pay it off every month keeps me out of the credit card debt problem (which I luckily just dug out of).
Thus, your wonderful response reminded me that I bought the computer with my Amex which should have the extended warranty for products. I called them up and sure enough, they would take care of it. I just had to take it into a shop to be diagnosed. After that just fax in the report and receipt, and since they were giving me a full refund on the computer, the computer itself. They even said they would cover the cost of the diagnosis!
It took a little over a month to get everything taken care of and the proper authorizations, but I now have been credited the full cost of the computer plus tax and can go get a brand new computer.
I am more than impressed with Amex and eternally grateful to you and the Consumerist for reminding me of this wonderful service available to me.
Thanks,
David"
David was able to get the full cost of his computer refunded to him without paying for an extended warranty. He also had an excellent experience dealing with American Express, in clear contrast with his experience with both Best Buy's Geek Squad and Compaq.
This could be you! Be sure you know what benefits are offered to you as a credit card/debit card holder. Take advantage of them! Card holder benefits can make your life easier, and as we've seen here, they can save you a lot of money. Just be sure to use credit wisely, lest the cost outweigh the benefits.—MEGHANN MARCO - inarguable, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10You will find that most of these 'hidden' benefits are handled magnificently by the credit card companies - precisely because very few customers actually know about them, and even fewer actually exploit them.
- tienm23, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Quite a few Citibank cards offer the same service. I had the price of my Canon A75 refunded when it gave up the ghost 14 months in.
Thier driversedge card also gives you 2% toward your next vehicle, new or used, 90 purchase assurance, price protection, travel insurance..all for no annual fee. Great deal all around ! - buddyfarr, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8that is the best advice I have had in a long time! worth the read.
- happysushi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Lots of credit card companies do this. When I got my laptop, my mom charged it to her (I think) MasterCard, which has a similar service where they double the time covered by the original warranty up to 4 years (I think). I only had the 1 year warranty that came with the laptop, so when my logicboard went bad, well after the 1 year mark, I just sent it in to be repaired in the out-of-warranty department, which cost about five hundred bucks. I sent a bunch of paperwork and crap to my mom who filed it with her credit card company, and voila, before we know it, the company refunds all of it. Pretty nifty.
- Guspaz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5As a caution, Visa (perhaps others too) treats their extended warranty program like insurance. To use a product's extended warranty as provided by Visa, you've got to make an insurance claim. It's a lot of trouble with forms mailed back and forth to sign, strict requirements (Like having original receipts AND a physical copy of the original warranty agreement), and it takes time (weeks). And they might reject your claim.
I ran into this problem when I tried to claim a repair on my out-of-warranty laptop. Visa claimed that because it had been purchased at a store, who had branded/built it themselves, that they weren't the manufacturer, and so Visa couldn't extend their warranty. Visa wanted to extend the warranty on the original parts themselves.
I argued that this was equivalent to refusing to extend the warranty on a Dell laptop and instead insisting that they extend whatever warranty the chassis manufacturer gave to Dell. In the end, I decided not to risk making a claim and having it rejected, and simply bought a new laptop.
So, my advice is to avoid using the credit-card warranty if at all possible. By all means, use it as a last resort, but you'll be much better off with a store-extended-warranty plan than with Visa. If I buy something at BestBuy and get their extended warranty, sure, I've got to pay extra for it, but if something goes wrong I just show up at BestBuy and they give me a new one. With Visa, I've got to wade through paperwork and wait weeks to get compensated for a repair I have to organize myself, with the risk of being stuck with the bill! - djspike, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Yeah, you don't pay AmEx $95 a year for nothin! You pay them to work for you!
- qwickone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5They cover stolen merchandise? Which card do you have?? I guess it really does pay to read all the fine print they send you with new cards...
- dramatools, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This is number one reason I never buy extended warranties. Why pay extra for coverage you already get? Every credit card I carry has an extended warranty plan. Some service plan proponents would counter their coverage lasts a total of three years, but most consumer electronics will either conk out after two, or last ten.
- dpdesign, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I have the Drivers' Edge card from Citi. Definitely a great card and a great company overall -- they won't screw you like, say, Crapital One.
- qwickone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Didnt they open it right after Xmas? And it stopped working before the next Xmas? Or did I miss something?
- joshuakuhn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The guy used AmEx... People are talking about the card he used (as mentioned in the article)... How is that an advertisement?
- Anonymous99, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For those of you that don't know, Discover doesn't offer any extended warranty with their cards.
Also, more importantly, just about ALL cards cover car insurance on rentals. You should NEVER buy insurance from a car renting company because your CC covers it if something goes wrong. - starvo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Your credit card will usually cover it. Your debit card probably won't. Some car rental companies (Alamo, Budget, etc) will rent you r a car on a debit card (Some require proof of an airline flight..) But most likely your debit isn't going to do any insurance on the car/etc. So take the insurance, or see if your regular policy covers it. Or just get an Amex card. I had total ***** credit, but I got it back to the point where I could get an Amex card. It's just sucks less when traveling, if you have a real credit card.
- spyderx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For those wondering, Amex has a "buyer protection" section in their T&C, they cover stolen merchandise and price protection. The downside is there is a limit in $ to the amount per item and per year, and also, they don't do price protection on the internet anymore. There is also a time limit for NEW merchandise (I think it is 3 or 6 months, I haven't read the T&C in a while). Several years ago I used this to buy electronics from vendor A, and if the price dropped (as it does), I'd print out a page from Vendor B, fax it to Amex, and get a check in the mail. They still do this, but only for brick and mortar stores.
- jasutton, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@TravisL
1. It's spelled "grammar," not "grammer."
2. A comma and a coordinating conjunction should be used when joining two independent clauses, not a coordinating conjunction alone. The conjunction alone would be fine if you were joining, say, an independent clause with a dependent clause.
So, if you're going to criticize someone's grammar, be sure to get yours right. Correct spelling helps too. :) - havaloc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Some of the no fee American Express cards that offer the warranty extension and other benefits:
Return protection: Will refund restocking fees or return item even if manufacturer does not within 90 days:
Warranty extension: Adds an additional year to warranty.
Purchase protection: 90 days theft and damage warranty.
Clear
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=clearblue.benefits&Clearpagesource=ClearProspect
Warranty extension, return protection, purchase protection, flat 1% cash back sent to you in increments of $25 AMEX gift cards, longer grace period.
Blue Cash
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluecash.benefits
Same, except up to 5% cash back in certain categories.
Blue Sky
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluesky.benefits
Same, flat 1.33% cash back on everything good for credit against travel purchases.
Never had any problems with American Express. - digitydigtydo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Get the Platinum Credit card (you can carry a balance)
- popsumer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Actually there is a picture on the site, and we don't need any help with our bandwidth bill, but thanks anyway...
- xs650, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I recently paid $370 for an HDTV repair on an out of warranty HDTV. My CitiBank Mastercard paid for the repair.
Some advice.
Carefully read the claim documentation requirements.
You will need copies of, the receipt, the factory warranty and the charge slip. If the charge slip was part of the receipt or something emailed to you with your card number on it in **** **** **** 1234 form,. that's OK, but you do need that piece of paper. I didn't used to keep those after I paid the bill. I do now.
Except....if you don't have your copy of the charge slip, talk nice to them, they have some discression in what they accept.
Citi/Mastercard's instructions say to get a written estimate before filing a claim. My original estimate was hand written by the tech. They wouldn't accept that. I got an estimate from the tech off a printer and they did accept that. Go figure.
I couldn't find this in writing, but the Mastercard person on the phone said I could just get the repair done and submit paperwork after the fact. I know others have done that successfully.
It's a great, if somewhat bureaucratic, service. - ubuwalker31, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Bank of America's American Express Card offers a similar Extended Warranty program. In fact, most credit card companies offer similar protection and insurance for consumer purchases.
Even if your credit card doesn't have this protection, it is still advantageous to buy electronics and other purchases with your credit card. If you dispute the transaction with the merchant through the credit card company, you have a huge amount of leverage, since the balance of the bargaining power is with the credit card company. If you argue your case to your credit card company intelligently, (see next paragraph), they will take your side.
What most consumers forget is that they are protected by very liberal state laws as far as warranties are concerned. Depending on your state, the limitations on warranties are often ineffective. Even with a so called 'limited warranty', most people effectively have some sort of statutory 4 year warranty on their products. Usually because the manufactures have made so many "Express Warranties" about their product by describing how it should work, how well it performs, etc, that directly conflict with the limitation of the warranty. Plus, forgetting about warranties for a moment, most states protect consumers against products which are "defective". Your ps/2 keyboard and mouse not working in your new EVGA 680i motherboard? That's a defect and you are entitled to get a full refund or replacement. Do some research and then argue these points with the manufacturer and the credit card company and threaten to get a lawyer. This usually gets your money back fast. Good luck! - 1KrazyKorean, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The amex is awesome, I use my card all the time since I got it 5 years ago, they have great protection I have gotten alot of cash back, and heck its nice having a card with a high credit limit
- sail191912, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Don't electronic stores in the US put the serial number of the unit on the receipt?
- TravisL, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2You sir are a moron...
I see from your grammer you must have graduated from the 5th grade. I had to read your comment 5 times to make sense of it and I am still puzzled as to what you meant! - SweetsGreen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Theft/Loss is different for every Amex...as well as what Items are covered..
ie) Lost Jewelery is only covered with a platinum card.
I had a laptop stolen out of my car...my Amex did not cover it, but my renters insurance did....who knew. - Archaia, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Couldn't he have just bought a new (same model, etc.) one and returned the old one with the new receipt?
- SilverRocket, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Amex Gold & Platinum rocks. I buy everything on it for the double warranty / theft-replacement... bikes, electronics, and more.
The only bummers are
a) the entire balance on the card must be paid every month
b) the yearly fee
But, it's worth it to me. - iceeblue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Anyone got a list of Visa or Masters cards that offer this protection?
- GiGiinGA, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm so over people having to bury anything they feel is an advert. Here, on Wikipedia, everywhere. Whatever. I live in America. I enjoy capitalism. I have disposable income that I spend on goods and services. So what if it's their Mktg manager or just an evangelical customer. Is everything a conspiracy or scam to you types? If it were a blatant advert that no one was interested in then it would have faded away. Chill.
- aceman87, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is a cool idea. My laptop is on life-support right now.
Also consumerist.com is owned by gawker media, I don't think bandwidth is a problem... - cha0sth30ry, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I love how this article continues a trend in exposing HP's crappy customer service..
- KIERANMULLEN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It is a good service from AMEX, too bad they charge merchants 4% to accept their credit card. Visa/Matercard Charge 2-3% That is why most smaller merchants dont accept them. Discover is actually cheaper for merchants to accept, I dont understand why they dont.
- rewqas, on 10/18/2007, -0/+1http://american-express-gift-cards.blogspot.com/
- joshuakuhn, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Do NOT threaten legal action... Most of the reps that us regular consumers would deal with are told that if the customer threatens legal action they are to stop the call immediately. Save that for the drop dead dog crap on the doorstep doesn't work last threat...
- The1Joebob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I think the more important part to note is that you should return compaqs and computers of the like before your warranty, because when the warranty dies, so does the computer.
Some computer manufacturers are pretty damn disgusting. - jasmar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A few years ago, I had some issues with an Apple laptop. The extended warranty on my Visa card saved the day. I was about 6 months beyond the manufacturer's warranty. They paid for the entire repair and all related shipping costs - close to $1000. The whole process was simple and painless. The also informed me that if the cost of the repair would have exceeded 70% of the original purchase price, that they just reimburse me the full price in order for me to buy a new computer. Not every card comes with this program, but if yours does it is great deal. You don't have to register your purchases, but it is a good practice to do so anyway - then you don't have to worry about losing receipts and statements and the whole process goes faster.
- litkaj, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I've got an AMEX Blue Cash that I use to pay for almost everything. Does anyone know if this card has the extended warranty option?
- mfurufuru, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0so if one were to buy a $2000 plasma, would you say that the manufac. warranty + additional year warranty from the CC be good enough? or should one buy the extened warranty from the store?
- kmully, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've got AMEX Blue Cash, same type of protection + cash back on all of my purchases.
So glad to know that with the average American family with $9k in credit card debt, the companies can just manage to squeak by with replacing some of my gadgets.
AMEX actually does a pretty good job of promoting all of their membership benefits. My statements come loaded with paper inserts with a lot of different offers. Reading the membership benefits always helps.
I wonder if the same coverage applies to AMEX Black card holders (no credit limit) when they purchase a private jet? "Yes, hello, my jet isn't working. Can you get me a new one? Thanks." - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0nice story.......liked it
- yakky, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1While I like Citibank, they use Mastercard's coverage plan, which IMO is not nearly as good as the Amex plan. I had a certified (refurb) Apple that they would not cover because it was refurbished, even though it had the exact same warranty. Amex on the other hand has been spectacular, giving me full price purchased even when a replacement was less than half the cost. Regardless, both have you covered better than any crappy store warranty.
- digitydigtydo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0My little brother lost a 1700 chain he got while traveling, Amex was able to get the store that we bought it from to send him a new one and amex picked up the bill for the shipping as well as the customs. All i had to do was call Amex and they got the chain send to him no hassel what so ever, no insurance clames. perfect.
- digitydigtydo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Yes it covers some stuff, you can probable read the stuff that came with the card.
- Jorlwind, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0My dad helped me pay for my laptop last year before my birthday (I'm a college student, and thus poor as a sewer rat.) and his credit is shot so we had to pay with the green stuff... Luckily I bailed for the warranty which has already earned its keep
This is probably a good opportunity now that I'm 18 to get an American Express card for the other tech items I'm going to buy this year. One wonders if American express is dancing because of the good rep or gasping in collective horror over the submission of this article. I think I can bear a credit card company's discomfort with enormous fortitude. - popsumer, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1...
- stg3095, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1If you paid $250 for a scarf. You deserved to have it stolen. ;)
- zerodepth, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Reading comprehension > me =[
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