Is BestBuy service plan worth it ? (Comp USA, Circuit City, etc)

[neogin]

To start with ..

1. You pay $600�@for new NX.
2. Tax will be about $50.
3. Two years plan will be $70?

Ok .. The estimate will be around $720 for two years plan.

When you request the service.

1. Restocking fee is $30.
2. You might have to pay the different price of the product or you might get it back.

Is it worth it ?

To compare with ..

1. You buy online for cheaper price. For example, when the new unit arrive. You can wait about one or two months to get a cheaper price (100 to 200 cheaper.)
2. No tax (some may lucky need to pay tax.)
3. You have to pay shipping ($5 to $30.)
4. Oh .. and you need to wait about a week for your shipping.
5. Upgrade once a year.

I think the service plan not worth it. Unless, you will upgrade every six months from the plan you have.

[JwY]

since when was there a restocking fee for BB?

[Don M]

As someone else stated, at least with my dealings with Best Buy, l haven't heard of a restock fee when you claim warranty.

Might depend on your luck with the product you buy online with no warranty. I actually had only one incident where I had to use my Warranty Plan with Best Buy. I had a Visor Neo that went bad. When I exchanged it at Best Buy, the Neo was no longer being produced/sold, so I upgraded to a Pro. Since the Pro had dropped considerably in price from the time it was initially introduced, I only paid about $50 difference from what I originally paid for the Neo. I think that worked out pretty well. But, generally I don't buy an extended warranty, just happened to in that case ;-)

I am a little cautious in buying delicate electronic devices online however. I would rather pay a little steaper price and know if there is something wrong with the unit, I can turn right around and take it back for immediate exchange or money back (neon if you are reading this, that is a FULL cash amount back...sorry, inside joke carried over from another thread, if this is not understood :-) I have had to do that a number of times, especially when the Palm IIIc came out and had either a bad down button or terrible graffiti recognition at high screen brightness. I believe I went through 4 or 5 units before I got an acceptable one. Anyway, that's my story and feel on the matter.

[neogin]

oh my bad .. forget about restocking fee .. it is not supposed to be there :)

i was too hurry this morning ..

[keeperkeith]

i think its worth it

[the_tick]

Originally posted by Don M
neon if you are reading this, that is a FULL cash amount back...sorry, inside joke carried over from another thread, if this is not understood :-)

He he he . . . I too had mentioned in that other thread that Best Buy had a full refund policy and no restocking fee (well except for big screen TVs during the week of the Super Bowl).

I rarely buy warranties unless they are really cheap. Most of the time I find that any problems I have with the product will occur within the first 30 days. By then, I can exchange the product at best buy.

As for online purchase I agree Don M and would rather purchase them from a Brick & Morter. You get instant gratification, and if there are any problems you can return of exchange the product. The peace of mind is worth it. However, back in the golden age of the internet boom where electronics cost 1/4 of the price (75% off) of brick & morters, I would purchase items online. *Sigh* I remember when 800.com first started and they sold any 4 dvds for $1. Although it would take 3 months to receive your order, it was worth it. Alas they are now bankrupt for obvious reasons.

[Unregistered]

Be aware that the new service plans aren't what they once were. You lose it if you use the plan to get a new model after one year (manufacturer warranty end).

[neogin]

nice info unregistered

glad that you share ..

[Burns]

'Tis true that CompUSA's plan does not cover the new unit but the plan I got with Best Buy does. I originally bought a Visor Deluxe from them with a 3 yr warranty (back in the days when that was available). I kept it for awhile and something happened to it (don't remember what) and got it replaced. The warranty shifted over to the new unit. I had the new one for about 1 year and the case cracked (I hate plastic). So I took it in and replaced it with a Visor Prism. I kept it for another 9 months and then traded it in (well, I did find something legitimately wrong with it of course) for a SJ30 for my wife (I had already bought a T665). It too was covered under the original plan. Of course the plan does not re-extend itself, so the three year warranty applied to the original Visor Deluxe is probably about to run out.

CompUSA on the other hand, does not transfer warranties. You have to buy a new one for the new PDA. However, I have found that they are a lot less finicky (redneck word, means picky) about what is returned than Best Buy and more is covered (including screen breakage). In my opinion, it is cheaper to get the warranty and upgrade once a year than to get a whole new unit (even off the internet) once a year.

- Burns

[neogin]

oh i forgot to ask you guys ..

only bestbuy changed the rule ? or comp usa, circuit city, etc changed their rule also ?

[neogin]

compare price too

:)

[thomhutch]

Best Buy has two plans (I think there's two, there may have been changes since I got the ones I have) Product Service and Product Replacement. Product Service is for more expensive stuff and it includes wear and tear and can be extended up to three years from date of purchase. It also covers things like your remote, if you lose it, they give you a new one. BB is notorious for giving customers a hard time when they come in, but the policy is that they are to replace your product if you insist. (I found this out by quizzing a former BB guy who works in my office now)

[davy19]

I would never buy a Best Buy warranty ever again, or any other store for that matter.

When I tried to use my warranty they gave me a real hard time, and wanted to send my unit back and it would take a few weeks to get it back. I said they never mentioned that when selling the warranty.

When they sold me the warranty they said any problems and we will replace it one time for free and if we odnt have the unit in stock you can get something of equal value or pay the difference.

Well after about 15-20 minutes of arguing they finally gave it to me another unit, and then said we are doing you a favor next time we wont do this or something along those line.

Last time I ever go into that Best Buy

I have heard it is pot luck, some BB give you np others do.


Either way it not worth it, because I can send it back faster to sony, and it goes through less hands.


These extneded warranties is how these stores make money because only 1% ever use them or somthing like that.


Truth is most electronic devices will fail withtin 30 days if there is a problem, unless you drop it, but then again if you drop it the BB warranty dont cover the lcd screen anyway

[tifosiv122]

My NR was upgraded for free to my NX when I had a problem...and the PP transfered.

My Ipaq (open box $119) was upgraded for free to a brand new in box $499 Ipaq with the PP transfer after only 14 days because the battery died. (This was a little over a month ago).

If you explain that you can't live without your PDA for a few days they will swap np.

I love Best Buy!

Erik

[SEkker]

I think the Best Buy plan is worth it, especially on devices with lots of mechanical parts like the super swivel clamshell form factors.

[the_tick]

One thing neogin did not add about the internet purchases. Did you you know that you can buy a service plan for your PDA even if the PDA was not purchased form BestBuy. Just go up to the customer service counter and they'll be more than happy to sell you a service plan. :)

Although I don't think the service plan is worth for other reasons, it's still an option when you purchase your PDA from a different store. ;)

[lino-man]

Without a doubt, go and purchase the pda WITH the service plan. I recently bought a used Sharp Zaurus that had the service plan with it. when it "died" I took it in to the repair dept. The techs were super helpful and said they would see if it would charge up overnight. They said they just had to go thru the procedure, but are not stingy on their warranties at all. When it was obvious that it was not working they handed me a brand new nx70v! I didnt demand anything at all, and I will admit, played just a little on the dumb side. Thumbs up for Best Buy sticking behind their warranties!

Today when I dropped my Kyocera smartphone and it died, I was really wishing I had bought it at Bestbuy.

[cerberus]

Buy the Best Buy service plan. $70 to protect a $600 device is definitely worth it. I used to work at BB as a technician and know what goes on there. I buy PSPs(service plans) with every major investment I make. I have never had any major problems, although there are occasions where some people do not feel like helping you at the time. You just have to go past them and get the next person. Patience and a good attitude will get you far since they are used to having a$$hole$ yell at them all day.