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Hello to you all,
I am in the process of purchasing a new computer. Not 100% sure if I will get a laptop or desktop. I 'm leaning towards a desktop because of bang-for-your-buck compared to laptops and because I would rarely see a need for me to have a PC while I am not home.
Anyways, I have been going to some of the local computer stores in the Minneapolis area and getting some ideas on price and features. While at Best Buy I eavesdropped on a conversation a Best Buy employee was having with a potential laptop customer. The guy was interested in a laptop going for about $1999 with a $200 rebate.
The clerk then said the famous words "Would you like to purchase an extended warranty with this computer?" The model only came with 90 days parts and labor, which I found amazing in itself. Most, but to my surprise, not all of the laptops at this store came with 1-year warranties covering parts and labor. I would think a two thousand dollar PC would come with at least 1-year.
The cost for Best Buy's PSP (Performance Service Plan) for this amount was $249.99. That's their charge for anything over $1000. This particualar customer decided to get the extended warranty. Another 10% or so added to the final cost.
I am not sure where I will get my computer, but I assume most stores will try to get me to buy one of these warranties. I've purchased 4 desktops over the past 7 years and have never gotten the extended warranty and have only once had to replace anything (hard drive=$79).
My question for you folks is whether or not these extended warranties are a rip-off or worthy insurance against a catastrophy which may occur? What I have been reading on the web leads me to believe that a laptop is much more likely to get messed up than a desktop. Is this true? If something is going to go wrong on a computer, will it usually happen in the first year? Will a laptop with a 1-year but with no extended warranty be too risky? I've read that Best Buy really pushes their employees to sell these things and that their little sales pitch can be a little misleading concerning coverage. I've also heard that Best Buy makes more on the warranty than the actual computer, so I am a little afraid of getting taken.
Thanks for any guidance!
Last edited by MinnesotaKid at Today at 10:18 pm
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