Cruster on 28/11/2006 at 21:48

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Are Fujitsu-Siemens laptops "crap" too? It sounds like Selkie would be more than getting back the money he invested in his warranty, if the company wasn't being shifty about it. Thats not a refutation of the concept of extended warranties for laptops, just of this particular company. Consumer Reports consistently advises that while they're a scam for most electronic goods, extended warranties for laptops are generally worth buying. Most people I know who have bought them have had to use them at some point.

Selkie, if you are friends with any lawyers, you might ask them to send a polite letter to the company in question, on their letterhead. In my experience, most companies trying to screw you will just give up if you do this; they don't want the hassle or the expense. Hope it doesn't come to that, though. Good luck.

Cruster on 28/11/2006 at 22:13

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I had read this:



when I bought my last laptop in 2004, it seems they've changed their tune to "only buy applecare because Apples original warranty is shit" since then. Obviously they don't help if you drop your laptop in the swimming pool, but I'd say a 43% repair rate within the first 4 years is enough to warrant buying a good 3-year extended warranty, from the manufacturer or a reputable seller. It doesn't sound like I'm going to change your mind on this RBJ, so I'll leave it at that. :p

Rug Burn Junky on 28/11/2006 at 22:31

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You're not going to "change my mind" because this isn't a matter of opinion, it's a question of fact. The math doesn't change just because you don't understand it.

A 43% repair rate (a smaller percentage of which is even coverable by the warranties) for repairs which usually cost roughly the same as the price of the extended warranties themselves, means that AT BEST you're breaking even on the covered repairs, you're coming out ahead on an even smaller percentage of the repairs which are covered, and at least 57% of the time, you're just plain getting fucked.

God dammit, if you understand odds this poorly, I want to play cards with you sometime. I'll fucking rake in cash.

Hell, you don't even understand the little blurb you posted, which isn't saying "Buy an extended warranty" it's saying "If you're going to buy an extended warranty, buy it from the manufacturer, not the seller." Two markedly different things. They're talking about FROM WHOM to buy it, not whether to buy it at all.

And to top it off, to show another little bit you misinterpreted, they're not recommending Apple because the original warranty is shit - they're recommending it because it comes with the addition of over the phone tech support, a fundamentally different thing.

Cruster on 29/11/2006 at 02:07

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I think you underestimate the average cost of laptop repairs. Just to have someone crack open a laptop and diagnose a problem will often cost about the same as an extended warranty; major repairs and/or replacement of parts takes it to "may as well just buy a new one" territory. Do insurance companies make a profit? Of course they do. If I buy dental insurance and never get a cavity, am I "just plain getting fucked"? Of course I'm not. Insurance is always a gamble, but I maintain that, in the case of laptops, it's not as bad a gamble as you make it out to be. By all means, continue to work yourself into a froth of internet-rage if you disagree. :D



Take this as you will; it is, again, from Consumer Reports and doesn't give their methodology or state time lines, sample types or sizes. They are generally trustworthy, in my experience. Given Apple's recent history of quality control with mp3 players, I wouldn't look to them as a bastion of amazing product quality in a sea of inferior junk.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h48/cruster_2006/laptop-fofr.gif

Renegen on 29/11/2006 at 14:05

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Well I don't have that much money but if you want to know I am a profitable poker player, I know no such thing about you. I quit poker because I wanted to concentrate on finance who I find has a better opportunity cost. Careful what you boast about. Sit down. I'll get back to you later, pretty busy right now, although looking at the thread it does seem that the idea was understood.
But you have to remember when buying a laptop, an important part of the price goes into advertising and fixed expenses not associated with the making of the laptop. Repair costs/replace costs can easily be only half of the price you pay. Provided they don't overcharge you through the nose for insurance(and they shouldn't, warranty is a selling point) the odds are easily in your favor with such rates as 20% defects.
If you want to get more sophisticated and mention consumer reports, how about 'the gamble' that Cruster talked about. Why do you have home insurance, surely the odds say otherwise? Because you can't run the risk. Sometimes the math spills over into the human emotions. Insurance is that, insurance, they sell you a service.