Jul 30, 2008 5:28 pm US/Pacific
Navigating Your Extended Warranty Needs
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
George and Gladys Weston bought a $600 dollar GPS unit from Best Buy. It broke after only three weeks. It was covered under the manufacturer's warranty, so Best Buy replaced it.
Just to be safe, the Weston's paid $80 for a four year extended warranty.
"This thing might be fragile and electronics not being our world, we thought it would be best to have it," said Gladys.
A year later, that GPS broke, too. Best Buy replaced it -- under the extended warranty.
Best Buy talked her into buying a new extended warranty for the new unit, a decision she regretted.
"We protested because it seemed to me if we had a warranty until 2011, it should be until the year 2011. But they said 'No. Once you use it.'," said Gladys.
The big issue is when the GPS broke. Gladys said it broke during the manufacturer's one year warranty. Best Buy said it broke after that -- so the extended warranty kicked in.
Best Buy wouldn't buy Gladys' arguments about the date discrepancy, so she called our volunteer hotline.
"The gentleman in ConsumerWatch called for us and shook them up a bit," said Gladys.
Best Buy said the store had make a mistake; the GPS was still under the manufacturer's warranty. They gave the Westons a refund for the warranty they bought.
Before you buy an extended warranty, keep in mind the manufacturer's warranty may be all the coverage you need -- and it's free. Also, an extended warranty might overlap the manufacturer's warranty. In that case, you're paying for coverage you already have.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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