Am Ex warranty info please..

[SDKath]

Hi there,

I read someplace a while ago that Am Ex doubles the manufacturer's warranty on items bought on the card, right? I just bought a nice new Sony TV and it comes with a 1 year warranty.

We are thinking of getting a 3 year extended warranty for $300. If I pay with my Am Ex card for this expense, do they double the time to 6 years too?

Thanks! Katherine

 

[wackymother]

I don't think they do. Probably it would be best to call them and see what they say.

They do definitely double the original warranty. We bought a printer using an Amex a few years back, and it keeled over after about 18 months. Amex cheerfully sent us a new printer and a mailing slip to return the old one!

 

[RX8]

Amex will extend the manufacturer warranty only. I would recommend against paying $300 for what essentially will be a two year warranty (beyond the Amex extension). TV's generally are very reliable and the odds of something going bad are slim and even if something does, the repair cost will likely be well below $300.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

When my son's laptop had problems, AEx did consider the additional warrant as part of the time they doubled. Great service, too!
Liz

 

[RX8]

Here is the warranty extension policy from Amex:

"When you charge the cost of a covered product with your American Express® Card, the Extended Warranty will extend the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty for a period of time equal to the duration of the original manufacturer's warranty, up to one additional year on warranties of five years or less that are eligible in the U.S."

As it states original manufactuer's warranty, any extended service contracts purchased would not provide that same benefit.

 

[bullroc3]

So that means if I charge my next vehicle.....................................

 

[ScoopKona]

Also, I believe Amex has a lifetime amount that they will cover under this policy -- which works more like insurance than a warranty. And if you search around for Policy AX0953, which is the extended warranty plan, you'll find a lot of stories -- both very positive, and very, very negative about claims.

Keep all your receipts, that's for sure.

 

[JeffW]

If it's on an item that has perhaps a decent chance of breaking (a laptop, and ipad), then it might be worth it. In general though, the recommendation though is extended warranties are more profit centers for those who sell them, vs provided repair coverage in a period there's likely a problem.

What's the cost of the tv you are purchasing? Are there deductibles or copays? If the tv died in 3 years, would you like it repaired, or would you rather take the $300 (plus potentially interest), and instead buy a new set (which, on tv's, is very likely to be both better and less expensive).

Jeff

 

[RX8]

Another benefit of a Costco AMEX card

I have a Costco AMEX card. On top of the fact that the manufactuer warranty is extended up to an additional year, you also get coverage for the product in the event of ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE or it being STOLEN. If that happens, you can get the money spent credited back to your AMEX card. Great deal! Not sure if other joint companies/AMEX cards have that same benefit.

This is from the AMEX website:

"Did your new camera get stolen from the hotel room? Even if your new eligible purchase is stolen, Purchase Protection1 can have you covered.

• Embedded Protection - Just use your Card and Purchase Protection1 can protect eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
• Worldwide Coverage - Coverage includes eligible purchases made worldwide with the Card, including gifts purchased for others. Purchase Protection1 can reimburse you for up to the amount charged to the Card (not to exceed the original purchase price)."

 

[Talent312]

... you also get coverage for the product in the event of ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE...

That comes in handy for anyone who drops their new LCD-TV while hanging it over the fireplace...
However, I did not.

 

[SDKath]

Thanks guys for all the input. This is actually a replacement TV from Sony as part of a huge recall of completely defective rear-projection TVs that were sold from about 2004-2008. I had to pay for 1/2 the price of the replacement TV and they sent me a brand new, state of the art, flat screen. I just got the TV today and now I have to decide about the warranty.

I think I will call Am Ex and ask about all the options and info they would need in case something happened. I guess given how badly our really $$$$$ TV died in under 5 years, I am really thinking the warranty is a good idea right about now.

Thanks,

Katherine

 

[MichaelColey]

It's only supposed to cover the manufacturer's warranty, not any extended warranty that you buy. And it only doubles up to an extra year, so a 3 year warranty becomes 4 years (and actually, that may have changed so that it doesn't extend longer warranties at all, if I'm remembering right).

One other limitation is that you had to purchase the entire amount on your AmEx. If you used a gift card for part, you're out of luck. You wouldn't be able to extend a car, for instance, because most dealerships don't accept credit cards (or at least not for the entire amount).