I don't know, but based on my experience this past weekend trying to get a $2.99 replacement belt for my vacuum, I would be hesitant to buy anything from Sears again, especially not a service contracts. Without boring you with all the details: - 800 number tells me my part number is wrong (it's not) but that the part I need is in stock at my local repair center. - Same 800 number can't locate that same center on their system to confirm hours. Says the location I'm asking about doesn't exist. (it does.) - Phone number on internet is not answered. Nor are 3 different phone numbers given to my by different store locations in the dozen or so calls I placed, most of which either disconnected me when transferring my call or put me through to a line that was never answered. - Was told that the parts/repair centers often don't answer the phone because everything is walk-in. (No voicemail for hours, how would I follow up on a pending repair?) - When I finally got to the "non-existent" repair center, they confirmed that the part showed avail on computer, but they didn't actually have one. - The explanation I was given was a shrug and "I just work here." Note that as promised I did not give you all the details. Sears? No thanks.

I do not sell furniture protection plans in my store, because IMHO they are worthless. These are statistical sales that do nothing more than count on only 8 to 10 % of customers ever invoking a claim. When a customer does make a claim, they simply credit you with a dollar amount to buy a new furniture item as replacement. What they count on is the fact that the vast majority of people will never file a claim. There is NOTHING you can apply to fabric that does not wear off in short order. Typically any fabric protectant is good for about three months, depending on use of the upholstery. Most water-based fabric "protectants" are worthless. Scotchguard is the only product that I've ever seen that works, even it has to be re-applied periodically. However, Scotchguard was quietly pulled from industrial use several years ago as a suspected carcogin. 3M did this voluntarily before the government stepped in. Fabric used to be vat-dipped in Scotchguard, and workers exposed to it were developing cancer at higher rates. However, even though it was taken off the market for industrial use, it remains as a consumer product you can buy in a spray can. Apply it yourself and when water droplets no longer stay atop it, respray your fabric. As for wood, simply wax or polish it for protection.

To all: I am with Protect Plus Surfaces. We are partnered with Daltile to assist and underwrite the warranty with this program, as well as the exclusive DuPont Licensee for sealed stone products. The kit includes 3 items: a 1/2 gal of exclusive sealer and 2 current DuPont StoneTech products that are very successful in the marketplace, and for good reason - they work very well. The sealer is water based and does include Microban - but not Triclosan. Microban has several different antimicrobials available to them based on the product they are going to protect. Due to public concerns with triclosan, this product was not used. The antimicrobial in the sealer is 100% natural. It is actually the same form of antimicrobial used in DuPont Water Filtration products. These have undergone rigorous tests following NSF guidelines by the Water Quality Association (WQA) to prove that water is safe to drink after passing through the filtration device. That is how safe the Microban in the sealer is. The other 2 products are the DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer Cleaner and Protector and the DuPont StoneTech Polish. We are the warranty underwriter of the program and handle the customer service for all warranty claims. Rest assured, this is the strongest warranty available in the market today. There are not loopholes and exclusions in the warranty that are commonplace in the market today. This program was put together to truly protect your important purchase for the full 15 years. Here are a few differentiating items about the program: 1) The warranty includes all granite and marble - yes it covers marble. But it does not cover etching on the marble. This is nearly impossible to do with a penetrating sealer that doesn't alter the look or feel of the marble. Many consumers are now choosing a finish other than polished, which makes etching much more difficult to see. 2) The warranty needs to be applied only 1 time - and the warranty lasts for 15 years 3) There are no specific care guidelines that must be followed to make sure the warranty is in effect 4) The warranty is fully transferable for the full 15 years - your home could sell 15 times and it will still be valid 5) The warranty covers the full cost of replacement product if a stain cannot be removed 6) If a replacement is required, we cover the costs of the labor as well - no other warranty in the industry covers this! 7) All chemicals are from DuPont - the most effective and safest natural stone sealers on that market today 8) Microban antimicrobial technology truly does work for the entire length of the warranty - and we chose a natural ingredient for your safety. Imagine raw chicken on your countertop - microbes double every 20 minutes and you don't want to see that spot under a microscopre after 24 hours. Microban inhibits this growth and after 24 hours you can hardly tell it was there. Here is more information about it. http://www.microban.com/partnersites/proadvanced 9) Daltile does have this program on their website at www.daltilestone.com/proadvanced This program has been rolled out specifically to Daltile's Stone Centers located all over the country. The program has just been announced to the entire Daltile sales team and is gaining momentum all over the country now. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me directly at andyfay@protectplus.com

I've used the Sears plan many times and have always been satisfied. One thing most people don't realize with the Sears plans is you can initiate the program any time. I have a Fridgidaire Refrig I bought elsewhere, (and hate) that had problems with the ice-maker. During a routine service call from the Sears Repair Center for our front loader, I asked the service guy a question about the frige. He told me it doesn't matter where or when you bought the appliance, you can sign up for the repair service anytime and suggested I do that. I did and it was awesome. Bought a years service, they fixed the problem, and it was a done deal. My point is, most experts will tell you, warranties are usually a waste of money. Why waste it if you don't have to? Wait to see if there is a problem later, if there is, then get the service then.