If the problems occur during the warranty period, wouldn't it be the manufacturer, rather than the retailer, that has the relevant Lemon policy?

Most manufacturers have the Pound Sand policy.

So that is why consumers look to trustworthy retailers for extra insurance.

You are confusing extended warranties with the manufacturer's warranty and grossly overestimating both.

If it breaks during the first year, it's the manufacturer's problem, and they will always opt to repair rather than replace. They do not have a stated "lemon" policy, because they try to replace as little as possible. Even if an item is repaired 3x during the warranty period, unless it's the same problem all 3 times, you won't even get a manufacturer to think about replacing it. If it's the same problem, you'll still have to jump through hoops, but it might get replaced.

Then, there's the extended warranty that everyone sells, which usually starts after the manufacturer's warranty runs out. Don't confuse the fact that you buy an extended warranty at a retailer with them actually doing any service on it. They don't. Extended warranties are third party warranties. Neither the original retailer nor the manufacturer has anything to do with any repairs done under any extended warranty. It's usually contracted out to some other third party that orders parts to throw at it rather than "repair" your appliance. There too, the "3x" repair means different things to different warranty companies. Some want it all in a single calender year, and if you have a repair 14 months ago and another 1 month ago and have another repair for the same thing...well, that's not in a 12 month period, so you're out of luck.

Most extended warranties are an expensive crock. You're better off buying a decent brand and putting that warranty money in a savings account along with a few bucks every month.

The lowest price consumers have won the battle. Very little actual "service" of any type remains.

You are confusing standard extended warranties every appliance retailer sells with bonus coverage some large retailers offer in the form of "No Lemon Policy" in their extended warranties.

I know some smaller retailers offer this to but that topic is too large to discuss on a national/international board like this one.

I have no illusion any retailer does repairs.

I know manufactures will do everying possible before they consider replaceing but that they "might."

Sarcasm is harder to read in a post than in person but the sarcasm in this thread is obvious. Or at least I thought it was obvious.

Home Depot specifically states in their printed policy available in their stores any coverage not offered in the OEM warranty but offered in their warranty starts immediately not after the OEM warranty expires. They also mention subrogation rights. They are putting their weight and reputation behind this warranty they sell. They are not selling "RepairMaster" or some other plan. It is a "Home Depot" plan. Lowes is similar but have not read the details of their plan.

Sounds great. What I wanted to know is if it has any merit in the real world.

I am not overestimating any warranty just posing the question to see if what is implied is in fact true.

NOpe, Depot and Lowes (and us and anyone else) only act as a transaction agent for you to buy the warranty from a third party--the same as the retailer does for you and the manufacturer. GE was the provider for many in the field last time I checked. THey were ours, but we've just changed providers and I can't recall what idiotic "protection service" sounding moniker we're using now. Retailers don't do anything but collect their 20% and route your call off to the third party if you have an issue.

THe only thing offered by most extended warranties that does apply during the manufacturer warranty is coverage for spoiled food (refrigerator) and for damage from power surges. Everything else during that first year is covered (or not) by the manufacturer, and it's at their discretion as to whether or not to replace an item rather than repair it. Your "bonus coverage" is nothing more than smoke and mirrors from the warranty company. Neither the manufacturer nor the warranty company will be at all ameniable to replacing a "lemon" appliance unless you hound them unmercifully.

It's still better to buy a decent brand and save your money on any after market warranty. If you're concerned about the ice maker in a fridge, pay the money to buy one without it and get a separate ice machine. Except that you'll be spending enough money to buy 2 "standard" refrigerators all over again. There IS no such thing as a brand with zero repairs. You'll read something bad about every single brand out there. The few complainers are much much louder than the thousands of everyday people not on the internet specifically to vent. If you want a recommendation for fewest repair issues, call a local appliance service company and ask them about which brand they get calls for the least. OF all the brands we sell, the Maytag/Jennair/Whirlpool conglomerate has more requests for the manufacturer's phone number to log a service issue than does the others. And, they have some of the worst service agents as well. Even so, we might get 1% of the WHirltag refrigerators we sell needing a service call that first year. Most do exactly as they were designed to do. You just don't hear about those.

NOpe, Depot and Lowes (and us and anyone else) only act as a transaction agent for you to buy the warranty from a third party--the same as the retailer does for you and the manufacturer.

Good grief. I GET THAT.

Is it not possible that the third party offers DIFFERENT plans?

With DIFFERENT stipulations?

ONE SPECIFIED BY HOME DEPOT OR LOWES?

Insurance companies that insure cars have one subsidiary to sell insurance for drivers with very good driving records.

Same insurance company has another subsidiary that sells to high risk drivers with another set of terms.

I think it is possible to have different plans.

Maybe they are not.

Your "bonus coverage" is nothing more than smoke and mirrors from the warranty company

It is not "MY" coverage. Perhaps you correct. That is my original question. Is this smoke and mirriors? Will they honor the "NO LEMON Policy" as a common sense man would read the stipulations?

If you're concerned about the ice maker in a fridge, pay the money to buy one without it and get a separate ice machine. Except that you'll be spending enough money to buy 2 "standard" refrigerators all over again.

I figured that out rather quickly.

Plus ice machines are super energy and water hogs.

2/1/22 THIS IS A LIE. I bought a LG refrigerator ($2000) in May 2017 and we are on our 4th time fixing the SAME exact issue! Home Depot/Asurion AND LG have been jerking us around on getting a replacement since Jan. 10th 2022!!! UGH! So frustrating. We've lost all our contents FOUR times now and can't even get reimbursed for that! The tech each time confirms this unit is a LEMON! Still waiting on an answer after first replacement request was completed and DENIED now I have a second request in and will be contacting an attorney! Research before buying! LG has class action lawsuits! Good luck!