I will buy, but should I get the extended warantee?

[klondikejim]

I was looking at my upgrade options for the new Premier. $700 and some change in my cart. Debating extended warantee and lifetime sub though. Heres the deal.

Under my upgrade plan, my lifetime is 299, or the cost of 3 years of the yearly plan. Extended warantee protects my box for 3 years.

If the machine can die in 3 years (granted none of my other tivo's had failed) and the warantee would be up, is the life time even worth it, let alone the extended warantee? I could save, $250, if I pay for 1 year service, and get a new TIVO after that period a year from now if I had too with little loss, and the wife would be better me spending 500 vice 700 anyway.

BTW, only getting as I needed a new HD tivo anyway. Was going to get a 3rd Tivo a month back when i got my new TV, but was waiting for this big announcement. I am one of those that though not exstatic with the announcement, assumed that was what we were going to get anyway, so I am not totally let down. Its an upgrade from my non HD tivo anyway.

[wesbc]

Use a credit card that doubles your warranty like Amex. I've used it twice and it was quite painless.

[phredster]

An extended warranty is really an insurance policy. Do you need Tivo insurance? Don't forget the opportunity cost - the $40 (for 3 year warranty) that comes out of your pocket today could be doing something interesting (such as making you more money.)

In the past, I believe Tivo has had a pretty reasonable repair policy for out-of-warranty boxes. I remember one of my friends had to have the modem replaced in an S1 and they charged him something like $35. Given how few problems modern electronics really have, my thoughts are that I'd save the money on the warranty and instead 'self insure'. Just don't get mad if it does have a problem out of warranty you pay to have addressed. Remember the cost of the extended warranty and think of that as being in your 'repair Tivo fund.'

But hey, if you live in an area that suffers power surges, electrical storms, or gremlins it might be worth it. :)

[oViTynoT]

The TiVo advanced replacement on the S3/HD was $150. If the premiere is the same, then one failure pays for the warranty, three-times over.

[TWinbrook46636]

From the look of it I'd say that there was a lot of cost-cutting involved so an extended warranty may not be a bad idea.