I had to threaten to go to a competitor before a salesman would shut up about extended warranties and allow me to ask a few questions about the actual product. I later looked up reviews online and found out why they were pushing the extended warranties so hard.
I replaced my last water heater after 16 years. It was still working, but I was afraid that it would not work much longer. There had been no guarantee for how long it would last. When I bought the new one, I was surprised to see that it was only guaranteed for 6 years! I feel cheated, but at least it heats the water much better than the old one, so can set the temp at a lower setting. And no, I did not get an extended warranty.
We live in an old farm house that wasn’t plumbed for an automatic washing machine, but people do ask why we don’t go ahead and get one. The Laundromat is $3 a load, and we do two a week – sometimes 3, but not often. We’re both in our mid-70s, and figure we won’t live long enough to break even. Besides, if something goes wrong, we just move the stuff to another washer, rather than wait for a repair man. (I do have a dryer, though, but I honestly prefer to hang our clothes on the line when I can.)
Come ta thinka it, when it came to decide whether to get a new mower after the duct tape ran out and the welder died, I figgered that donating to the local economy was cheaper to hire some local lugnuts to mow my grass rather than blow a few thousand on a new mower. So far, I’m money ahead. Extended warranties are something I’ve been warring against for years. They cost half-again as much as the cost of service to begin with !! (personal experience in the trade)
Just go down to a used appliance store or the store room of an apartment complex. You will find very few 10 year old refridgerators, but many that are more than 30 years old.
My Dad is 90, his doctor offered him a new prescription, but warned him of the “long term side effects.” My Dad said, “What ‘long term, I’m 90!’” With a 35 year extended guarantee, most stuff in our house would out live us. Who wants a bunch of 35 year old appliances?
When I was training my sales staff, one important item was always made clear to them and that was to never say anything that would imply they were not speaking the truth.
Phrases such as:Trust me…Now to be completely honest…I am being honest (truthful) with you…To be perfectly frank…were forbidden.
If I caught an employee using these or similar phrases during a discussion with a client (customer), although I wouldn’t embarrass them in front of the client, after the sale was made or the prospect walked, I would pull the individual aside and we would discuss the event.
If I am in a sales presentation, and the “salesman”, most are just order takers, made such a statement, I would immediately stop them and say, “So everything you told me previous was a lie, huh?”
Most didn’t get it or just smiled and continued with their script! Needless to say, this rarely ended in a sales transaction with me…
Farside99 almost 9 years ago
I had to threaten to go to a competitor before a salesman would shut up about extended warranties and allow me to ask a few questions about the actual product. I later looked up reviews online and found out why they were pushing the extended warranties so hard.
Olddog1 almost 9 years ago
I wouldn’t buy anything that I thought would need the extended warranty.
whiteheron almost 9 years ago
Ya know, at this point in my life, I don’t care if something will last 20 or 30 years…..I won’t be here to see it breakdown.
sfreader1 almost 9 years ago
I replaced my last water heater after 16 years. It was still working, but I was afraid that it would not work much longer. There had been no guarantee for how long it would last. When I bought the new one, I was surprised to see that it was only guaranteed for 6 years! I feel cheated, but at least it heats the water much better than the old one, so can set the temp at a lower setting. And no, I did not get an extended warranty.
Dani Rice almost 9 years ago
We live in an old farm house that wasn’t plumbed for an automatic washing machine, but people do ask why we don’t go ahead and get one. The Laundromat is $3 a load, and we do two a week – sometimes 3, but not often. We’re both in our mid-70s, and figure we won’t live long enough to break even. Besides, if something goes wrong, we just move the stuff to another washer, rather than wait for a repair man. (I do have a dryer, though, but I honestly prefer to hang our clothes on the line when I can.)
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
Be suspicious of anything a salesperson says after “trust me”…
unca jim almost 9 years ago
Come ta thinka it, when it came to decide whether to get a new mower after the duct tape ran out and the welder died, I figgered that donating to the local economy was cheaper to hire some local lugnuts to mow my grass rather than blow a few thousand on a new mower. So far, I’m money ahead. Extended warranties are something I’ve been warring against for years. They cost half-again as much as the cost of service to begin with !! (personal experience in the trade)
route66paul almost 9 years ago
Just go down to a used appliance store or the store room of an apartment complex. You will find very few 10 year old refridgerators, but many that are more than 30 years old.
ladylagomorph76 almost 9 years ago
My Dad is 90, his doctor offered him a new prescription, but warned him of the “long term side effects.” My Dad said, “What ‘long term, I’m 90!’” With a 35 year extended guarantee, most stuff in our house would out live us. Who wants a bunch of 35 year old appliances?
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
When I was training my sales staff, one important item was always made clear to them and that was to never say anything that would imply they were not speaking the truth.
Phrases such as:Trust me…Now to be completely honest…I am being honest (truthful) with you…To be perfectly frank…were forbidden.
If I caught an employee using these or similar phrases during a discussion with a client (customer), although I wouldn’t embarrass them in front of the client, after the sale was made or the prospect walked, I would pull the individual aside and we would discuss the event.
If I am in a sales presentation, and the “salesman”, most are just order takers, made such a statement, I would immediately stop them and say, “So everything you told me previous was a lie, huh?”
Most didn’t get it or just smiled and continued with their script! Needless to say, this rarely ended in a sales transaction with me…
SClark55 Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Why calculate when we’ve heard it all before?