Extended Warranty-Visa Signature

[jaebberwock]

So I'm on an unlimited data plan on Verizon which means the Galaxy S3 that should be arriving any day now will probably have to last me a good bit of time b/c no more subsidies for me. I just don't see myself dropping $650 on a phone anytime soon. As such, I've been doing some due diligence and reading up on the protection offered by my credit card.

People often seem to overlook this coverage but it seems like a pretty good deal. I'm not feeling the $100 deductible for Squaretrade along with the purchase price for just 2 years of protection. Asurion just seems like a complete rip off.

Apparently I will get something like 90 days coverage for anything that happens since I bought it with my credit card. Assuming Samsung guarantees phones for 1 year, it will double the manufacture warranty to 2 years. This is where I normally would purchase a new phone.

Apparently, with the Visa Warranty Manager, I can get repair coverage for $41/$59 for coverage until July 2015/2017, respectively. Normally I think any kind of service plan/extended warranty is a huge rip off (I used to sell these stupid warranties back in college when I worked at Sears and I felt dirty after every sale). However, $60 for peace of mind for 5 years doesn't seem too bad. It apparently covers batteries too and I'm sure I'd go through 2 batteries in that time frame and either the home button or the power button will break.

However, I've never ever broken a phone (knock on wood) since I started carrying a cell phone in 2001. Well, scratch that, my OG Droid power button got all mushy and wouldn't spring back out. Also, I think it is unrealistic that I would be able to carry the same phone for 3 full years, let alone 5, even if it was in good working condition. I'm trying to get away from this whole consumerist mindset, and I'm good in almost all areas except phones for whatever reason.

What do you guys think? Yay or Ney?

 

[Worlds2See]

Hmmm. I'm actually going to look into my credit card benefits myself. Not feeling Verizon's insurance and I got a quote from Safeware I didn't love.

Can't wait to hear if anybody has had success with the credit card companies.

 

[cgardnervt]

The funny thing is my release day Palm Pre- still works! I only had to repair the power button. The spring popped out Otherwise even the battery still keeps a charge for a long while! But sadly its just a clock now. No longer my great backup phone. I left Sprint!

But you are correct about the buttons.

 

[camiller]

I've been looking into warranty options myself as I approach my Aug 1 upgrade on Sprint. Best Buy's "Black Tie protection plan" seems pretty good but I will have to look into the credit card thing, thanks for mentioning.

Another option people often overlook is adding a rider to their homeowners insurance. Although even back when I did this not all insurance companies offered it, so it could be hit or miss.

 

[jaekim717]

So I'm on an unlimited data plan on Verizon which means the Galaxy S3 that should be arriving any day now will probably have to last me a good bit of time b/c no more subsidies for me. I just don't see myself dropping $650 on a phone anytime soon. As such, I've been doing some due diligence and reading up on the protection offered by my credit card.

People often seem to overlook this coverage but it seems like a pretty good deal. I'm not feeling the $100 deductible for Squaretrade along with the purchase price for just 2 years of protection. Asurion just seems like a complete rip off.

Apparently I will get something like 90 days coverage for anything that happens since I bought it with my credit card. Assuming Samsung guarantees phones for 1 year, it will double the manufacture warranty to 2 years. This is where I normally would purchase a new phone.

Apparently, with the Visa Warranty Manager, I can get repair coverage for $41/$59 for coverage until July 2015/2017, respectively. Normally I think any kind of service plan/extended warranty is a huge rip off (I used to sell these stupid warranties back in college when I worked at Sears and I felt dirty after every sale). However, $60 for peace of mind for 5 years doesn't seem too bad. It apparently covers batteries too and I'm sure I'd go through 2 batteries in that time frame and either the home button or the power button will break.

However, I've never ever broken a phone (knock on wood) since I started carrying a cell phone in 2001. Well, scratch that, my OG Droid power button got all mushy and wouldn't spring back out. Also, I think it is unrealistic that I would be able to carry the same phone for 3 full years, let alone 5, even if it was in good working condition. I'm trying to get away from this whole consumerist mindset, and I'm good in almost all areas except phones for whatever reason.

What do you guys think? Yay or Ney?

hey i bought my gs3 using my visa card as well. how do i get this visa warranty? i have to call them up and tell them i want to pay the $60 for the warranty? i

 

[CarlGalgano]

Well, my opinion on all insurance is they dont sell it because they lose money on it. I generally only insure things that I cant pull my wallet out of my pocket and replace (my home, car, life, etc), but I cant ever see insuring small electronics. They are either obsolete quickly or you have moved on to the next "gotta have" device. Trust me, I fall into the 2nd camp, but if I break the phone I have, Im guessing there would be something else I would rather have anyway. I'll just buy a new one. If replacing your phone is going to change your financial life, then you probably cant really afford the phone to begin with. Just MHO of course.

 

[snork]

Check if the battery is covered. That can fall under 'normal wear and tear'. Also, remember usually after a phone has been out for 6-12 months, the prices for accessories (and batteries) drops dramatically, so unless you find yourself prone to breaking your phone, its not worth the money just for battery replacement, especially considering you'll probably only need to replace the battery once in a 2 year span, in my experience.

 

[jaebberwock]

hey i bought my gs3 using my visa card as well. how do i get this visa warranty? i have to call them up and tell them i want to pay the $60 for the warranty? i

I'm not sure if all Visa's have it, maybe only the Signature line which sometimes involve fees.

I've attached a link to the visa site because it actually sends you out to another site, which I wouldn't feel comfortable entering in credit card info to a site directly posted by a stranger.

Click on the extended warranty link and it will take you to the Warranty Manager service and enter in your credit card number. It will automatically check whether you are eligible and you can create an account and purchase the extended warranty then and there. You can either mail your receipts and stuff to them or just hold on to it in case you need it.

Warranty Manager Service | Visa Signature

 

[jaebberwock]

Check if the battery is covered. That can fall under 'normal wear and tear'. Also, remember usually after a phone has been out for 6-12 months, the prices for accessories (and batteries) drops dramatically, so unless you find yourself prone to breaking your phone, its not worth the money just for battery replacement, especially considering you'll probably only need to replace the battery once in a 2 year span, in my experience.

Check the link:
https://visaclaims.newcorp.com/visaclaims/jsp/pdf/VisaVPG-eClaims2006.pdf

Perform a search for "battery". It's weird because like you said, they don't cover batteries but then later on it goes to say:

10.This plan provides battery repair/replacement for notebook computers, cellular and PCS phones

I think I'm going to get it since it seems like I can probably get around 2 batteries AND I'm going to bet my money that the S3's power button or home button will get mushy or stop responding in less than 3 years.

 

[wowpaw]

I also purchased my phone using my Visa Signature. Will have to look into this.

 

[dfb8085]

att wants $9.99 a month for insurance on this phone. I guess I may be stupid but I decided to forgo it. Seems like a ripoff to me

 

[vzwty]

American Express offers the same. I may have to purchase my GS3 with it when my upgrade is available.