We are about to purchase a laptop from Best Buy. We've been in there a couple of times and after research on the laptop, we've narrowed it down to the one we want. They do a hard sell on their service plan which is $299.00 for three years. My question is, do I need the service plan? The laptop we're buying is 699 so to add an extra $300.....I just don't know. The sales guy said laptops usually run into problems within the first 1 1/2 to 2 years and if I get the plan I can get whatever needs replacing for free. So, would you get the service plan?

sandy

Yep i would. If i am spending that much on a laptop i would def get the service plan. One word of advice don't buy a dell :P

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SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

Hmm, I think I would do a search on the web to see what the reviews are on your laptop and on service plans. My dd has had a dell laptop for over 2 years. No service, no problems ever. I think that a service plan that costs almost 1/2 of the product is a bit expensive. But that's me.
We never had a problem or a service call on any of our computers all these years, and that is a total of 7 computers.

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Their service plans usually include replacing the laptop if something happens to it. They also offer a 1 year plan for 99.00.
A friend of mine swears by their plan, she has several kids and has replaced her laptop through this program more than once.

I bought a laptop from BB and I took the plan.
Even though I didn't use the laptop very often ( I prefer a desk top)

They gave me a new battery every year. They replaced a couple other things.

Check and see if the plan still covers the batteries. Then check battery prices.
My 3 batteries cost more than I paid for the plan.

There is a local new story going around town that there is a certain electronics store that sells extended warranties as an extra to laptops. Mysteriously, when the customer refuses the extended warranty, the item they want is out of stock. They are under strict orders not to sell laptops without the warranty. This is NOT Best Buy.

In my experience, Best Buy warranties are almost ALWAYS worth the money... except when it applies to LCD screens. For certain items, you need to purchase the Accident Warranty for the screen to be covered.

I wouldn't, but then I never buy service plans. I think they're a big waste of money.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

I would first do research to see what was covered and what I had to do to get a repair/replacement.

We got burned by an extended warranty from Circuit City a few years ago. The sales people will tell you anything just to get you to buy it. When you need it you may found out it doesn't cover what you thought it did (that's what happened to us -- it was on a camera, however, not a laptop).

I have a Dell laptop and I would absolutely buy their 'on-site' service plan. They send someone to your house to fix your laptop for pretty much any reason (including you spilling some kind of liquid on it, dropping it, etc).

We rarely buy extended warranties because most are a waste of money, but for certain items (laptops & cameras specifically) that can be dropped, I think it's worth it if the warranty covers accidental damage.

We just bought a new laptop. My husband did tons of research. We checked out Best Buy and found that we could buy a better laptop at Sam's Club. So that's what we did. Their service plan is for three years (which starts after the one year plan by HP) and it was something like $78. We checked the service plan with Best Buy and it's basically the same plan. I'm glad we checked out Sam's!!

I would never buy a service plan unless it's directly from the manufacturer. I bought one with my last laptop ONLY because it's for business and I cannot be "out of commission" if it's broken. I got an HP and used the 3 year warranty twice which was well worth the price of the plan with a 3 day turnaround. That said, I bought directly from HP..not a big box store. If the warranty is with Best Buy, I would pass. They will find a way to not warranty the work. I got one thru Circuit City once and it was not fun trying to get work done under warranty. With manufacturers directly, I have a lot less issues. Good luck

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Also double check that none of your credit cards extend any part of the warranty..May not be the coverage as the purchased plan tho.

I guess it depends on the store. I did buy mine at Best Buy and I had no problems at my BB store. They were very polite and helpful.

My services cost more than I paid for the service plan cost.

Shirley

If you're considering this, think about whether the store and/or manufacturer will still be in business when you need the service.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.