Ballymena Guardian - Features - Should you take out a manufacturer’s extended warranty?

Features

Should you take out a manufacturer’s extended warranty?

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Imagine you are planning to buy a new washing machine. You have chosen your brand and model, and found the best price for it in a shop or online, but there is one further decision you will still have to face - should you take out an extended warranty?

Save money on washing machine repairs

You will most likely be faced with this question while you're in the shop, or even at the checkout when purchasing online. Before making your decision either way, it's worth considering the benefits and the risks of buying a warranty.

Of course, the main reason for taking out appliance protection would be to save money on future washing machine repairs. Most appliances come with a 12-month manufacturer guarantee, but a warranty will extend this period of protection, often up to five years. What is the chance of it breaking down in that time, and will you save any money on repair bills? First of all, let's consider the likelihood of the appliance breaking down.

One of the main factors to consider here is how often you will use your washing machine. Let's say you agree to take out a five-year extended warranty on your new Hotpoint washing machine. If you use it four times a week then that means that over a year you will use it 208 times, and over five years, 1040 times. After so much use you can begin to see how components will wear out and how your appliance becomes more likely to break down as it gets older.

A Hotpoint warranty means Hotpoint washing machine repairs

Even an appliance from a reliable brand will break down sooner or later, due to wear and tear. A significant benefit of buying an extended warranty from the manufacturer is that you are guaranteed quality parts and a visit from a repairer who has been trained to fix the very model you have bought.

Other extended warranties may offer repairs by qualified engineers, but you may have to wait some time for them to obtain the correct parts, which could inconvenience you while you are without your appliance. By arranging Hotpoint washing machine repairs you will know exactly who to call and that you will be dealt with by the people who know your appliance best. You will no doubt receive genuine parts and often you won't have to wait for these as manufacturer engineers usually carry a stock of common spare parts in their vans.

Paying a bit extra for a manufacturer-approved warranty can bring great peace of mind. If the alternative is to use someone you have found in the phone book because you want your appliance repaired in a hurry then you could be risking a poor-quality repair or an untrustworthy visitor to your home. Who wants to risk that?

Why not simply pay for Hotpoint repairs when you need them?

Of course, buying a warranty is not the only way to obtain repairs directly from the manufacturer. Many consumers would argue that they can get exactly the same service without the upfront cost, if they save their money on a warranty and arrange a repair if and when their washing machine breaks down.

This may make sense for certain consumers, however many people might hesitate to book Hotpoint repairs directly because they perceive the cost is too high. These same customers might prefer to find a local tradesman who may charge less but who may or may not work to the same standard as the manufacturer.

Whatever you choose, remember that a manufacturer will often charge a call-out fee as well as parts and labour costs for a machine out of its guarantee period, and these costs can vary widely. When you buy a warranty you usually have the choice of spreading the cost or paying for it in one go, so it's worth looking at these options to see if they suit you. Remember though, you can usually take out a warranty later down the line so if you don't buy one initially, there's still time to change your mind if you think it would be the right solution for you.

Some companies now offer warranty at point of breakdown, so whatever happens, you won't miss out on the opportunity to protect your valuable appliance.