If you had to pay all that, what did the warranty cover?

And this is why Consumer Reports/ Consumer INFLUENCERS (hahahaha) would never recommend purchasing the 'extended warranties' offered at the time of sale.

I too am wondering what the warranty is supposed to cover if it does not cover parts and labor.

I think the Warranty is that the Salesman is supposed to "warn" you, and say, "Good luck

Sir and/or Madam, this will last you for years, or it may fall apart tomorrow". If it works well for you,

please tell your friends, if it doesn't, please keep it to yourself".

The air conditioner manufacturere's warranty covers replacement parts only. Not the service/diagnosis charge or labor cost.

Was the $90 part free?

Were you not informed of the terms of the warranty when the equipment was installed? If you were and forgot, there's no reason to be angry.

I never purchase the extended warranty's but since you mentioned manufactures warranty as covering only the part you may not have purchased an extended warranty. Most of the manufactures warranty's that I have read will cover the part if there is nothing causing the failure that the owner or other person. Only time I have seen the repair service being covered was if it was a major failure within the first year.

Interesting thing about some warranty's is they cover the part if the part is available. If not available a very small credit may be given but not always. That time period can be as short as a couple of years or less which is why those go into the trash quickly although I do keep the bill of sale to show when an item was purchased.

I think warranty periods vary between manufacturers. Sometimes, an extended warranty period requires the product be registered within 90 days of installation. In my state, that is prohibited by law, all products of this type get the same extended period whether or not registered.

Here's some words from the Bryant site concerning its warranty:

"Even with the standard parts warranty, repair labor bills can range from $100 to $1000 or more."

I never buy extended warranties on vehicles. When the finance person starts to drone on about it and how I need one, I ask:

"Wow, do you know something about this vehicle that I don't? I mean, the car I'm buying is highly rated, won awards for this and that, etc. Why would I need an extended warranty? Is it not really all that great?"

Shuts 'em right up. They just want to sell me something I don't want. And I'm not going to argue or haggle with them. When I ask if there's something wrong with the car and do you think I'll need an extended warranty, what are they going to say but change the subject 🤣

Sephia, I was referring to a manufacturer's warranty. Some HVAC producers have a 5 year warranty that's "extended" to 10 years if the specific serial number is registered within 90 days. I'm not sure what the motivation is for that but my comment was intended to mention that in some places state law requires the additional 5 years be given automatically in all cases where a factory authorized contractor has installed the equipment. In these places, registration can't be required as a condition for the extended period add-on.

Many HVAC producers prohibit the sale of their equipment to other than licensed contractors - no direct sales to end users for DIY installs are allowed. Sometimes in those cases there's no warranty given at all. Which I think is reasonable.

Thanks Elmer, I understood what you were referring to. I was just sharing a tidbit on vehicle extended warranties and how to get out of them without repeatedly saying no.

And how long is it that many of you have been fending off these (pressured?) offers of extended warranties from enthusiastic salespersons?

How many of us ask for specifics of what original warranties cover, and the time frame, plus in writing ... and ditto for the "extended" coverage?

Is the saleserson, and manager, willing to put signature to the warranty, promising to go to bat for you if the makers dig in their heels? All of us aware, of course, that their relationship with the maker is more important to them, than to you, the consumer/(,sucker?).

A couple of generations ago, . manufacturers took pride in their products and didn't see them as simply a profit-making opportunity.

We respected them - and most of them deserved it.

How long have they been building fridges for homes? About 80 years - from about the time of World War II. Before that city folks had ice boxes and ice was delivered in small covered wagons, drawn by one horse, with chunks broken off of a big piece of ice and carried into houses by tongs to be put into the top of the ice box, that had a pan to collect the water below.

With other such wagons delivering bread, and milk door to door. Remember those small cupboards in exterior walls by the back door of older houses? Thats where the milkman left what milk products the householder's note asked for.

Within about 10 or 20 years of when they began building fridges ... many of them worked well for 20 or 30, often even for 40 years.

Fridges built these days last about 10 years ... and when I often tell this story, a fair number of people enter the conversation/(monologue?) about there, and about a quarter of them, say the same three words, "If you're lucky!"!!

Have the engineers who plan these machines become so much more stupid over the years, does it seem to you?? Not so, I think - they've been over-ruled!

ole joyfuelled

I didn't see any mention by the op that this was an extended warranty, but the manufacturer's warranty which she says should cover parts. I don't understand the $90 charge for a failed part. But maybe I'm reading it wrong. Perhaps the warranty paid for the $90 and her complaint is the huge charge for labor and diagnosis for a 25 minute repair call.

"A couple of generations ago, . manufacturers took pride in their products and didn't see them as simply a profit-making opportunity."

Companies that are in business making products are exclusively engaged in profit-making opportunities and always have been. Companies that don't make profits go away quickly and employ no one.

I disagree with you about product quality. I think the quality and capabilities of modern products put their predecessors to shame. There are exceptions and cheaper products typically aren't of the same quality as more expensive ones. Pay more, get more.

I agree with Joyful about the apparent planned obsolescence of home appliances. Doesn't seem to matter what you spend, high end these days doesn't last any longer than basic models and often it's cheaper/easier to replace than repair, esp if parts are hard to come by. And in many communities repair people are also hard to come by. I babied my last washer and dryer repairing it many times, for about 16 years I think - It wasn't a fancy brand, but the only unit that fit my space when I bought it. The appliance store where I bought it and a new set was pretty impressed. He said I got about double the time most people get these days. I sold a freezer we bought in 1972 to a friend and it's still working, I've had 2 replacements in the meantime. I start getting nervous when any of my appliances hit the 7 year mark. It's only a matter of time - and not too long a time before they need repair or replacement.

"And in many communities repair people are also hard to come by."

This is a completely different matter. The quality, availability and easy access to potentially needed goods and services are among the important factors to think about in deciding where to live. Which I think is a choice, not a default. The time to make that assessment is before you drop the anchor, not after. It's called, Plan Ahead.

If what you need isn't available where you live and you have to do without or be inconvenienced, the reason why that problem is encountered shouldn't take long to figure out.

Oh goodness, thanks for 'splaining the obvious. Of course, people should plan ahead 40 years and anticipate a labor shortage of technicians. Luckily, people don't all live in big cities and some people's careers provide valuable services to society but require living in more rural areas. Thanks for your advice. I'm sure it will benefit SOMEONE happening upon this thread wondering if they should make sure there are appliance repair people where they want to live. Lol!

Oh Elmer, we are all going to decide to live where you live. Are you sure you want that?

The manufacturers warranty covered the $90 part.

"we are all going to decide to live where you live. Are you sure you want that?"

Sure, of course. Attitudes on that topic here tend not to be as parochial as they are in other parts of the country. This area wouldn't be as it is without the enrichment that's come and will continue to come from domestic and internal migration. All are welcomed.