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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: HoyaSaxa03 on December 29, 2006, 06:17:00 pm

Title: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on December 29, 2006, 06:17:00 pm
an anonymous, very-real friend of mine bought an iPod from Best Buy in March of 2004 and also purchased a 4-year "performance service plan"
 
 my friend was wondering if anyone on here has experience with actually getting a brand-new product through these Best Buy service plans ... it looks like you need to have 4 separate service incidents before the product is deemed a "lemon" and you're offered a replacement product, there's also a general exclusion for "intentional physical damage" or "insect infestation" (damn! gotta go sell-back that ant colony!)
 
 any thoughts?
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: TheDirector217 on December 29, 2006, 07:09:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa08:
  an anonymous, very-real friend of mine bought an iPod from Best Buy in March of 2004 and also purchased a 4-year "performance service plan"
 
 my friend was wondering if anyone on here has experience with actually getting a brand-new product through these Best Buy service plans ... it looks like you need to have 4 separate service incidents before the product is deemed a "lemon" and you're offered a replacement product, there's also a general exclusion for "intentional physical damage" or "insect infestation" (damn! gotta go sell-back that ant colony!)
 
 any thoughts?
Yup.  Some of my folks have endured horror stories similar to this.  Same shit, different toilet.  My advice to you would be to buy an Apple Care warranty from str8 from Apple.  ("Gubment" employees, educators, & students get 20% off the $59.99 price.)  The warranty covers manufacturer's defects, & cosmetic damage as well.  Anybody who bought a Best Buy warranty might as well ask for Vaseline with that.  Avoid them at all costs.  Peace . . .
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on December 29, 2006, 08:26:00 pm
maybe i should have been more explicit: my "friend" is looking to replace his fully-functional 3rd-gen iPod (which looks like it should be put in a time capsule) with one of those new-fangled 15th-gen hologram iPods through the Best Buy "Performance Service Plan" ... any suggestions? SOL?
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: beetsnotbeats on December 29, 2006, 08:42:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by HoyaSaxa08:
 my "friend" is looking to replace his fully-functional 3rd-gen iPod (which looks like it should be put in a time capsule) with one of those new-fangled 15th-gen hologram iPods through the Best Buy "Performance Service Plan" ... any suggestions? SOL?
Gooooood luck with that.... Getting his lemon replaced with a working unit is one thing but trading up to this year's model? I'm no fan of BB but c'mon!
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on December 29, 2006, 10:18:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by beetsnotbeats:
  Gooooood luck with that.... Getting his lemon replaced with a working unit is one thing but trading up to this year's model? I'm no fan of BB but c'mon!
i know!! what an asshole!!
 
 i keep trying to tell him to respect our benevolent corporate overlords, but he won't listen to me
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chaz on December 29, 2006, 11:33:00 pm
My advise to your "friend" would be to buy your toys at costco from now on.  Return anything, any time, for any reason at all, for as long as you own it.  Unless it's a pc or laptop, then you got 6 months.
 
 Warranties sold by retailers are a racquet.  Another way for them to get rich.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Sir HC on December 30, 2006, 12:00:00 am
http://www.bestbuysux.org/ (http://www.bestbuysux.org/)
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: gloriaabortion on December 30, 2006, 12:24:00 am
Circuit City's policy on iPod warranties is to have the product sent in and if found defective, a gift card is sent for the price paid to be used for a replacement or whatever you want.  I bought mine from Circuit City and had to use the replacement plan and it took me about a week to get the gift card but got to upgrade.  I'd assume Best Buy's is about the same?
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chokeychicken on December 30, 2006, 12:50:00 am
if you're going to talk about warranties, go with Circuit City if the Apple Store isn't an option.  Circuit City's full warranty, which includes accidental damage, is fantastic, and does not screw you over.  I used to be an employee of Circuit City a few years ago (sigh..), so I suppose I can speak from experience.  If you buy the full warranty, which it seems most do not, as long as you can bring the item into the store physically, they will either replace it or send you a gift card for the full amount.  
 
 I still prefer Apple's warranty, however.  On two separate occasions I have brought my ipod into the Apple store and within 30 minutes have walked out with a new product.  Hassle free.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: ratioci nation on December 30, 2006, 01:07:00 am
I bought a receiver from Circuit City about 7 years ago, and a 5 year plan, in those 5 years I traded up 3 times due to minor "problems" with the receiver, so unless their policy has changed I agree they were pretty decent
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on December 30, 2006, 02:04:00 am
never, ever, ever buy a service plan.  It's a total racket.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on December 30, 2006, 02:21:00 pm
You mean to tell me there's people walking the streets who are gullible enough to fall for the old 'extended service plan' scam. My my...dear oh dear.
 
 Back in the day when I worked for Circuit City we used to call those policies "cheese", because we made a few extra bucks in commission and as for C.C......well, it was free money really.
 
 I suppose you could keep the receipt to wipe your bottom with if you want to get some use out of your policy.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on December 30, 2006, 04:47:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  You mean to tell me there's people walking the streets who are gullible enough to fall for the old 'extended service plan' scam. My my...dear oh dear.
 
I know.  I'm actually quite shocked that there are several people on this thread who fall for that, not just one!   Whether it's issued by the manufacturer or the retailer, it's a total rip-off.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chaz on December 30, 2006, 05:23:00 pm
Next thing you know people on this board will be telling me how great their bose speakers are, or even worse, about the ones they bought from a couple guys driving around in a white van.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on December 30, 2006, 05:46:00 pm
Bose speakers are OK, not great, but not bad either.  They are over-marketed and over priced.  A pretty good analogy would be anything sold by Apple.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chaz on December 30, 2006, 05:58:00 pm
They're the biggest ripoff in audio.  People paying for a name and a marketing campaign.    For half the price you'd pay for a bose setup you could get something that sounds two or three times better.  Ever notice how their little listening stations are set up way away from all the other speakers in the store with no way to a/b them?  They don't want you to know their dirty little secret.  Don't buy bose.
 
 I don't think the apple analogy really holds up at all, but that's just me.
 
 End of bose rant.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on December 30, 2006, 06:01:00 pm
Well, I just went looking for a ram upgrade chip for my Mac.  At Apple's online store, this chip was $300!   I did a little research and found the same chip for $150 elsewhere.   Only difference is the name.  
 
 Another example, Apple's excellently-written marketing copy would make you think that upgrading their OS will change your life, when the only noticeable change is you get "widgets" and a better search function -- both of which Google Desktop can give you for free.
 
 That's what I'm talkin about.  They do the same thing as Bose.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on December 30, 2006, 06:10:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by SeƱor Carlos:
  They're the biggest ripoff in audio.  People paying for a name and a marketing campaign.    For half the price you'd pay for a bose setup you could get something that sounds two or three times better.  Ever notice how their little listening stations are set up way away from all the other speakers in the store with no way to a/b them?  They don't want you to know their dirty little secret.  Don't buy bose.
 
 I don't think the apple analogy really holds up at all, but that's just me.
 
 End of bose rant.
I have to disagree...I think those blokes selling speakers out of the white van are a bigger rip-off than Bose. Sony are just as guilty in heavy marketing and then making the uneducated customer pay a premium for a barely average product.
 
 How about Toyota/Lexus? Now if that's not a classic rip-off I don't know what is.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chaz on December 30, 2006, 06:18:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
  Well, I just went looking for a ram upgrade chip for my Mac.  At Apple's online store, this chip was $300!   I did a little research and found the same chip for $150 elsewhere.   Only difference is the name.  
 
 
Agreed, but this holds true for aftermarket parts for just about anything, whether it be a pc from dell, apple, or a headlight bulb for a VW - which i purchased today - 24 had i gotten it from the dealership and 15 from the autoparts store.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: ratioci nation on December 30, 2006, 09:51:00 pm
I guess the fact that I was able to upgrade my receiver 3 times in 5 years at no cost other than the small cost of the service plan was a ripoff.  I rarely buy plans, but if the policy is good and its a high priced item its worth it, sorry to go against all you brilliant know it all board members.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: godsshoeshine on December 30, 2006, 10:28:00 pm
to answer the larger question, yes one of my friends with out the '"' has done this, nearly exactly
 
 but yes, extended warranties are terrible
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: on December 31, 2006, 12:14:00 pm
Mary J.Bilge
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: chaz on December 31, 2006, 12:28:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Surly Bonds:
   
 
 For DVD's, Sometimes they have extras if you come the first day...like free Cars toys with a the purchace of Cars, the DVD.
Like Christmas in July for Dupek!
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: IMAmoose24 on December 31, 2006, 02:03:00 pm
My XBOX 360 just stoped working 2 days ago and i had a 2 year warrenty on it. I took it in, explained my situation, and got a new one that day. So i guess i had luck on my side.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: on December 31, 2006, 02:10:00 pm
Mary J.Bilge
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: anarchist on December 31, 2006, 04:02:00 pm
can't play bose 901's without that eq.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on January 01, 2007, 11:47:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by pdx pollard:
  I guess the fact that I was able to upgrade my receiver 3 times in 5 years at no cost other than the small cost of the service plan was a ripoff.  I rarely buy plans, but if the policy is good and its a high priced item its worth it, sorry to go against all you brilliant know it all board members.
Obviously high price doesn't necessarily mean high end in this case. (3 times in 5 years...sony perhaps?) Wouldn't you be better off buying a plan on the cheap crap seeing it's likely to break three times in five years.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: ratioci nation on January 01, 2007, 04:05:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  Obviously high price doesn't necessarily mean high end in this case. (3 times in 5 years...sony perhaps?) Wouldn't you be better off buying a plan on the cheap crap seeing it's likely to break three times in five years.
none of the problems were things that required replacement, but circuit city never tried to fix anything, they would just give you credit to buy something new, I just don't find it necessary to live my live by such simple rules without treating each situation differently, its not that hard to look in to this crap
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on January 02, 2007, 09:56:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by pdx pollard:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  Obviously high price doesn't necessarily mean high end in this case. (3 times in 5 years...sony perhaps?) Wouldn't you be better off buying a plan on the cheap crap seeing it's likely to break three times in five years.
none of the problems were things that required replacement, but circuit city never tried to fix anything, they would just give you credit to buy something new, I just don't find it necessary to live my live by such simple rules without treating each situation differently, its not that hard to look in to this crap [/b]
....when they gave you credit, did you add a few more $$$ to purchase the replacement item?
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: ratioci nation on January 02, 2007, 11:49:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  ....when they gave you credit, did you add a few more $$$ to purchase the replacement item?
no, the second time the replacement was actually $300 cheaper, so I got to spend that on whatever I wanted in the store, and yes 1 was a sony, but only the one I still have and never replaced
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: sonickteam2 on January 02, 2007, 12:20:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
  never, ever, ever buy a service plan.  It's a total racket.
thats my take.  i never buy those things. its like the convenience charge on ticketmaster!
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on January 02, 2007, 02:38:00 pm
Guess what?...I recently bought a used car and financed through GMAC. I got my "smart care protection plan" booklet and card in the mail the other day. News to me!!!
 
 I called them to try to find out what the dealer had slipped into the payment without telling me only to be told by GMAC that they were having a promotion at the time and I got this extended warranty for free. "Right" thinks I...no such thing as "free", so went to my F&I guy to back out the interest rate and payment etc...sure enough I got an extended warranty without paying a single penny for it.
 
 Almost a hypocrite, but not quite.  :)  This thing pays for oil changes and tyre rotations too!!! It's not even a GM car.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: on January 02, 2007, 02:55:00 pm
Mary J.Bilge
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: Frank Gallagher on January 02, 2007, 03:22:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Surly Bonds:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
   
Did you leave your mick wife???
 
 Enquiring minds want to know? [/b]
Not at all....the "Mick" wife was the one who wanted to move back. I was more than happy in Rocky Bay.
Title: Re: Best Buy "Warranty"
Post by: on January 02, 2007, 04:34:00 pm
Mary J.Bilge