Extended warranty?: Buy through Dealer, Electrolux, or skip?

14 years ago

I am looking to buy an Electrolux IQ washer & dryer (no steam). Should I get the dealers five year extended warranty for $150? Electrolux offers one for about $69/year for up to three years. One interesting thing is that with the Electrolux warranty you can purchase it at any time for up to 15 years after your purchase. The only catch is that before they will issue you one you need to pay for a service call to verify that the machine is in fine working order.

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caryscott

14 years ago

Consumer Reports always says not to bother at all but some of us like to have a fallback. My understanding is the best warranties are the manufacturers and after that a dealers if it is underwritten by an insurance company.

Here is a link that might be useful: appliance411

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Comments (11)

happymomof2kids
14 years ago
You want the warranty! Go through the dealer first. I have had to call a tech out 4 times for my washer. I have only had it for 1 year and 8 months. Once the warranty with the store is about to expire decide whether it is worth keeping the machine or if you want to replace it. If it is worth keeping then go ahead and pay a tech to check as per Electrolux requirements. Then you will be covered. Sometimes repairs can cost just as much if not more than the original price of the machine.
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I believe silken1 is mistaken in saying that consumer reports Now supports them. They still say that they are a bad call. However, this assumes that you have a little back up cash in the case a repair is needed. The point is that if you at least theoretically put the extended warranty charges in an emergency fund, you would come out ahead or way ahead. Even if something broke, the other items probably wouldn't, and of course, you are paying for all of them. I did buy one from Sears once on a pop up vent and a double wall oven. I had heard that the vent sometimes had issues, and was concerned about the oven because it is essentially two units in one. The vent never had issues, but I usually don't use it. Since I had the warranty, I actually called people out twice. The first time was because I didn't trust the oven temps. They really didn't do anything and didn't find anything wrong (slightly good for piece of mind), but left me where I started. I also called them because the warning chime suddenly sounded like the device was jammed up or something and the tone was more like a wheese. It turned out that I had accidently set the tone to 'soft' while wiping the touch screen down and the 'soft' tone in my KA oven is pitiful. I had called KitchenAid, and they didn't know what the problem was. I suspect that if I hadn't had the warranty, I would have found the problem by calling KA again, or from the manual, or online. However, what I learned from using the warranty was that I was captive to the Sears (can't think of the two letter name of the repair co.) repair group. They certainly weren't fast and I would have been in a fix had they really been needed. There have been many threads here about their poor service. I think the critical point is that by using your own 'saved' cash, you can call the best or fastest people for repair.
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@rpsinfoman, that's exactly the point. Everything I've said is just my opinion. It doesn't include a million dollar research budget, or extensive testing... All of my opinion is just based of my thoughts of using their washing machines. I wouldn't say LG, is the worst washing machine in the world. And any machine will clean clothes to some level. However... If I was buying a machine for my family, I'd go with anything but a LG based off what I've seen from using one. Nothing can frustrate someone more, than a washing machine that constantly fills with Cold Water for at least 1/4 of a cycle, no matter what temperature is selected. Or... A machine, that can cause massive cotton pilling by using a Permanent Press cycle for a load of T-Shirts. Or... A machine, that somehow manages to drip water into a fabric softener dispenser, causing it to dispense into the main wash. Honestly. I bet a lot of people are more than happy with there LG Machines. Most people could care less about the Launduring Process, and simply set the machine and walk away... Never observing what's happening. I think 99.9% of the LG Owners probably fit into that mold. And that's fine. Laundry is a chore for most people, and they couldn't care how the final result is. But.... If I was purchasing a machine to clean clothes for my own family. I'd avoid the LG if I could. I have higher standards than most. I just wouldn't want one. I know I probably sound spoiled saying that... But I think they are inferior to other brands. From time to time at Lowes... A 2.2/3 Cubic Feet Whirlpool or Frgidaire front-loader will appear. I always tell myself... I bet those do a pretty damn good job. They remind me so well of Asko & Miele machines. That's what I'm talking about. You don't have to spend a million bucks for quality. It's out there, but... In my mind, LG isn't it.
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cynic
14 years ago
These are not warranties, they're service contracts.

To me much depends on how expensive the item is, how you take care of things and if you think it's prone to breakdowns.

It's a good idea to get a copy of the actual service contract and READ IT THOROUGHLY. Then you'll know what the coverage is. NEVER ASSUME. If it doesn't say it's covered, don't expect it to be covered. Check for co-pays, maintenance service calls required and the like. Service contracts are an insurance policy at best and not a satisfaction policy.

A service contract is no better than the ones servicing it. You can wait weeks to get an initial service call and can plan on problems not being resolved in only one call. If parts are needed, they'll have to be ordered, most likely. That means more down time and then schedule an appointment for when the parts arrive. Service contracts are a great training ground for new techs. But keep in mind that sometimes the service outfit gets a flat rate for the service call so it's not likely they're going to spend more time than they have to on a call. If it looks like it's working, they're out the door, and you can't blame them for that.

I know of only one person who has ever been happy they bought a service contract. Some others just say they feel more "secure" (LOL).

Also keep in mind that abuse is seldom if ever covered by a service contract.
monaw
14 years ago
Based on the fact that most appliances are built with cheap plastic parts these days, my repair man said, "Make sure you get an extended warranty".

I've lost faith in Consumer Reports these days. I uses to be an avid follower.
cynic
14 years ago
Often it's just cheaper to buy a new machine occasionally or pay for a repair than buying the service contracts. There's no one right or wrong answer on whether to get a service contract or not. I bought a $10 phone one time and they wanted me to buy a $20 service contract! It'll cover it for a whole 2 years instead of just one!!! I replied "why not just buy a new phone for $10 if this one craps out?" He hung his head and agreed but said he has to do it, which I knew.
donnawb
14 years ago
I purchased mine from Home Depot when I bought my washer & dryer. I usually don't buy extended warranties but for these I did.
Lori Aldrich
8 years ago
Electrolux wants to charge me $413.00 for a 2 year warranty on my 6 year old dryer that needs repair, isn't that ridiculous? The machine cost 1,000.00 new 6 years ago, I bought high end to avoid repairs! I learned my lesson, won't buy high end again!
Alex Chicago
8 years ago
I'm honestly surprised you can buy a service agreement (warranties are *always* free -- anything you have to pay for his a service contract) on a 6-year old machine that has a known issue. The insurer is essentially buying a problem by selling you a contract.
HU-230893926
3 years ago
I'm honestly surprised you can buy a service agreement (warranties are *always* free -- anything you have to pay for his a service contract) on a 6-year old machine that has a known issue. The insurer is essentially buying a problem by selling you a contract.
HU-389275464
4 months ago
last modified: 4 months ago
Do NOT pay for a warranty with Electrolux. They won’t respond. My 9 mo old Electrolux dryer broke over a month ago and it has been impossible to get them to respond. Multiple calls of being disconnected, redirected, promised call backs, answering service that has no information and dosen't speak English well. I have no idea what to do.
dadoes
4 months ago
Call a local independent service. Try to find one who is an authorized Electrolux servicer that can honor, work with the factory warranty. Pay for the service if you can't find one to do the repair under warranty, it's surely less cost than buying a new dryer.

Extended warranty?: Buy through Dealer, Electrolux, or skip?

caryscott

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happymomof2kids

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