ihatebestbuy.com - Blu-ray Forum

DealsR4theDevil · 01-27-2008, 12:10 PM

I stumbled on ihatebestbuy.com and read some of the testimonials from people getting screwed over with the service plans. I had purchased my TV from the Best Buy Magnolia Center in April of 07 along with the service plan (which was rather pricey) and, like so many of the people at ihatebestbuy.com, I was told that the plan covered everything except bur-in.

My TV is in perfect condition and may never break. But after reading all that, I can only imagine what I will have to go through if my TV ever breaks.

What I dont understand is why the better business bureau hasnt shut this practice down yet. At every Best Buy someone is telling a customer the service plan covers EVERYTHING. It shouldnt be hard to investigate and prove. This practice is without a doubt nothing short of fraud!

DetroitSportsFan · 01-27-2008, 04:06 PM

I've heard/read that Circuit City's "warranty plan" is even worse.

Musashi · 01-27-2008, 04:15 PM

Any time a store tells me about 'Extended Warranty', I just tell them "I'll take my chances."

reider · 01-27-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

Any time a store tells me about 'Extended Warranty', I just tell them "I'll take my chances."

Exactly my phrase too!

DisneyKrayzie · 01-27-2008, 04:34 PM

I had a bad experiance with my car sterio that I bought at Best Buy, the salesman said it would be completely replaced with a new model if something went wrong, well when i needed to use the warranty it had to be sent in to be serviced, the only way it would be replaced is if it had to be serviced 5 times. So I take my chances now with warranties, I dont buy them.

MotionBlurr · 01-27-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

Any time a store tells me about 'Extended Warranty', I just tell them "I'll take my chances."

They treat you like a nobody when you decline the plan.

They get so offended.

Sometimes no is not an option. They already check it off in the computer and you only find out about it when you look at your receipt.

Some guys tell you its not worth getting the item unless you get the plan.

Sometimes, It comes to a point where I make myself look poor and tell them I can't afford it.

Sylin · 01-27-2008, 07:09 PM

I don't buy service plans on electronics, because my track record with them is very good. Besides, I usually replace stuff before it has a chance to break. IMHO, if it doesn't break in the first month, it probably won't break in the 2 years or so I tend to keep stuff before upgrading.

Realize that a lot of these "testimonials" you read are crap. Go Google stories from repair techs who had to service someone's product and you'll get an eye-opener. People lie. It's a sad reality. Someone will tell the story about how their DVD player quit working after 1 week, but conveniently cover up the fact that their cat chewed the power cord or their buddy spilled beer on it. I would guesstimate that probably 30% of issues with consumer electronics are caused by the consumer and not the electronics.

That said, I will ALWAYS buy service plans on most appliances. The contracts are cheap--usually only $100--and are a bargain if you have just 1 repair issue. And I personally have a mediocre track record with appliances.

I could tell you a story about a refrigerator we bought 4 years ago that would make you CRINGE. It took a little bit of letter-writing, but Best Buy eventually replaced it under their No Lemon policy, and we paid $0 for a fridge that cost $900 more than the one that broke.

We also lost about $700 worth of premium beef in our chest freezer when it broke down while we were out of town, and BB came through and gave us $400 despite their warranty only obligating them to $200.

MotionBlurr · 01-27-2008, 08:12 PM

If you'd mixed $300 worth of that spoiled beef with $400 of fresh meat you would legally able to sell it again.

Prometheus59650 · 01-27-2008, 09:29 PM

That my sister got and extended plan on her desktop that she had to use (Buying an emachines was her first mistake) And I bought a TV not long ago that had an issue and I have to say that for both of us our BBs were right on the ball. Getting things fixed (ultimately exchanged in the case of her desktop) with the plan was quick and painless.

As a rule service plans suck, but for certain things they are a decent deal. On MP3 players they are a good bet since you can just bring them in for store credit on a new once the battery stops holding a charge. (I don't wanna call for shipping instructions, then wait 8 weeks) By then there will prob be a new model I wouldn't mind having anyway.

And I recently bought a RPTV and based on research the service plan was roughly the price of the 1st bulb replacement (which the plan includes) I just called it buying the bulb now and the added protection a bonus.

Service plans aren't always a bad idea. You just have to consider cost/benefit.

Sylin · 01-28-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotionBlurr

If you'd mixed $300 worth of that spoiled beef with $400 of fresh meat you would legally able to sell it again.

Hmmm... food for thought if it ever happens again. (No pun intended.)

glenn22 · 01-28-2008, 05:10 AM

extended warranty plans are nothing short of financial rape.

Sylin · 01-28-2008, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn22

extended warranty plans are nothing short of financial rape.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I'll respectfully disagree. On a lot of things, you're absolutely right. The $250 warranty that Dell tries to sell you on a $1000 PC is stupid... it's 1/4 the cost of the item.

But a 5-year warranty for $129 on a $2000 fridge makes sense to me. I did it, and used it to my benefit.

After all, you buy life insurance, right? The best insurance is the kind you never use, but are glad it's there all the same.

Marquoz · 01-28-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikcizokm

After all, you buy life insurance, right? The best insurance is the kind you never use, but are glad it's there all the same.

Wow, wish I could get away with never using life insurance!

d_rob1031 · 01-28-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquoz

Wow, wish I could get away with never using life insurance!

Are you saying you've died before, and used your life insurance?

Marquoz · 01-28-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_rob1031

Are you saying you've died before, and used your life insurance?

I'm not at liberty to say

d_rob1031 · 01-28-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marquoz

I'm not at liberty to say

You must be a ninja.

Frumious Boojum · 01-28-2008, 12:22 PM

I've come to the conclusion that buying the extended plans are not worth it.

First, most electronics come with at least a year from the manufacturer.

Second, every time I've had something go wrong, it was just after the warranty expires.

If I were to buy an extended warranty, I'd sometimes rather get it direct from the manufacturer. Some companies are better at taking care of people, anyway.

Besides, I know how Best Buy is with these plans. While many complaints are not valid, Best Buy employees like to make you think that if you accidentally drop a TV off the top of the Empire State Building while bungee jumping, they'll replace it.

fly4rabbi · 01-28-2008, 04:48 PM

I have heard before that BB and CC get 90%+ of their profits off of the extended warrenties. This number may be high but I would assume that it is a really high number. I always say no to the extended warrenties for electronics. But if i ever did decide to by a xbox360 I would be buying the ext. warr. as they have a high failure rate. Next time i buy a laptop I would also get the bb warr. as I know people who after 2 yrs. drop it so they can get a brand new computer w/ all the new gizmos.

Sylin · 01-28-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly4rabbi

I have heard before that BB and CC get 90%+ of their profits off of the extended warrenties. This number may be high but I would assume that it is a really high number.

Pretty damn close. My wife and I are friends with the Southeast Regional DM and his wife. He told me once that if CC went an entire day without selling a single extended warranty in any store, the company would go bankrupt. It accounts for an enormous % of their margins.

york weir · 01-28-2008, 08:25 PM

I spent $249 on an HP photo printer and bought the service plan. The printer stopped working so I took it in. Of course when they sold me the plan they said if it broke they would replace it on the spot. This was not true. They sent the printer off to be repaired to which it couldn't. The employee took me to the section to show me what I could get and insisted I buy a $99 printer. I asked why not give me a $249 in store credit and he said it didn't work that way. I fought him for a while and ended up with a $200 canon but that ruined it for me.

Another story is when I had to send my 3rd gen iPod in for service at best buy and I got it back all scratched up. I made them send it off again and it came back in better condition but not how it was sent to them.

I'm done with warranties.

01-27-2008, 12:10 PM	#1
DealsR4theDevil Power Member Member since:Sep 2007 Trading Score:76	ihatebestbuy.com I stumbled on ihatebestbuy.com and read some of the testimonials from people getting screwed over with the service plans. I had purchased my TV from the Best Buy Magnolia Center in April of 07 along with the service plan (which was rather pricey) and, like so many of the people at ihatebestbuy.com, I was told that the plan covered everything except bur-in. My TV is in perfect condition and may never break. But after reading all that, I can only imagine what I will have to go through if my TV ever breaks. What I dont understand is why the better business bureau hasnt shut this practice down yet. At every Best Buy someone is telling a customer the service plan covers EVERYTHING. It shouldnt be hard to investigate and prove. This practice is without a doubt nothing short of fraud!

01-27-2008, 09:29 PM	#9
Prometheus59650 Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	I have to say simply That my sister got and extended plan on her desktop that she had to use (Buying an emachines was her first mistake) And I bought a TV not long ago that had an issue and I have to say that for both of us our BBs were right on the ball. Getting things fixed (ultimately exchanged in the case of her desktop) with the plan was quick and painless. As a rule service plans suck, but for certain things they are a decent deal. On MP3 players they are a good bet since you can just bring them in for store credit on a new once the battery stops holding a charge. (I don't wanna call for shipping instructions, then wait 8 weeks) By then there will prob be a new model I wouldn't mind having anyway. And I recently bought a RPTV and based on research the service plan was roughly the price of the 1st bulb replacement (which the plan includes) I just called it buying the bulb now and the added protection a bonus. Service plans aren't always a bad idea. You just have to consider cost/benefit.

01-27-2008, 04:06 PM	#2
DetroitSportsFan Hot Deals Moderator Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Michigan 4K collection:439 Blu-ray collection:2226 Trading Score:93	I've heard/read that Circuit City's "warranty plan" is even worse.

01-27-2008, 04:15 PM	#3
Musashi Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Manchester, CT Home Theater Gallery:5 4K collection:25 Blu-ray collection:337 Blu-ray reviews: 1	Any time a store tells me about 'Extended Warranty', I just tell them "I'll take my chances."

01-27-2008, 04:34 PM	#5
DisneyKrayzie Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA	I had a bad experiance with my car sterio that I bought at Best Buy, the salesman said it would be completely replaced with a new model if something went wrong, well when i needed to use the warranty it had to be sent in to be serviced, the only way it would be replaced is if it had to be serviced 5 times. So I take my chances now with warranties, I dont buy them.

01-27-2008, 07:09 PM	#7
Sylin Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Nashville Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:159	I don't buy service plans on electronics, because my track record with them is very good. Besides, I usually replace stuff before it has a chance to break. IMHO, if it doesn't break in the first month, it probably won't break in the 2 years or so I tend to keep stuff before upgrading. Realize that a lot of these "testimonials" you read are crap. Go Google stories from repair techs who had to service someone's product and you'll get an eye-opener. People lie. It's a sad reality. Someone will tell the story about how their DVD player quit working after 1 week, but conveniently cover up the fact that their cat chewed the power cord or their buddy spilled beer on it. I would guesstimate that probably 30% of issues with consumer electronics are caused by the consumer and not the electronics. That said, I will ALWAYS buy service plans on most appliances. The contracts are cheap--usually only $100--and are a bargain if you have just 1 repair issue. And I personally have a mediocre track record with appliances. I could tell you a story about a refrigerator we bought 4 years ago that would make you CRINGE. It took a little bit of letter-writing, but Best Buy eventually replaced it under their No Lemon policy, and we paid $0 for a fridge that cost $900 more than the one that broke. We also lost about $700 worth of premium beef in our chest freezer when it broke down while we were out of town, and BB came through and gave us $400 despite their warranty only obligating them to $200.

01-27-2008, 08:12 PM	#8
MotionBlurr Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	If you'd mixed $300 worth of that spoiled beef with $400 of fresh meat you would legally able to sell it again.

01-28-2008, 05:10 AM	#11
glenn22 Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Vancouver, Canada	extended warranty plans are nothing short of financial rape.

01-28-2008, 12:22 PM	#17
Frumious Boojum Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Columbus, OH Blu-ray collection:115 Blu-ray reviews: 4	I've come to the conclusion that buying the extended plans are not worth it. First, most electronics come with at least a year from the manufacturer. Second, every time I've had something go wrong, it was just after the warranty expires. If I were to buy an extended warranty, I'd sometimes rather get it direct from the manufacturer. Some companies are better at taking care of people, anyway. Besides, I know how Best Buy is with these plans. While many complaints are not valid, Best Buy employees like to make you think that if you accidentally drop a TV off the top of the Empire State Building while bungee jumping, they'll replace it.

01-28-2008, 04:48 PM	#18
fly4rabbi Expert Member Member since:Nov 2007 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:128 Trading Score:3	I have heard before that BB and CC get 90%+ of their profits off of the extended warrenties. This number may be high but I would assume that it is a really high number. I always say no to the extended warrenties for electronics. But if i ever did decide to by a xbox360 I would be buying the ext. warr. as they have a high failure rate. Next time i buy a laptop I would also get the bb warr. as I know people who after 2 yrs. drop it so they can get a brand new computer w/ all the new gizmos.

01-28-2008, 08:25 PM	#20
york weir Special Member Member since:Nov 2007	I spent $249 on an HP photo printer and bought the service plan. The printer stopped working so I took it in. Of course when they sold me the plan they said if it broke they would replace it on the spot. This was not true. They sent the printer off to be repaired to which it couldn't. The employee took me to the section to show me what I could get and insisted I buy a $99 printer. I asked why not give me a $249 in store credit and he said it didn't work that way. I fought him for a while and ended up with a $200 canon but that ruined it for me. Another story is when I had to send my 3rd gen iPod in for service at best buy and I got it back all scratched up. I made them send it off again and it came back in better condition but not how it was sent to them. I'm done with warranties.

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