So Mad at Sears I could spit fire

[bicker]

I didn't say her fridge should be "like new."

Then what was your point in asking PP whether it would be okay if a "new" refrigerator was missing a shelf? Your comment there makes no sense, if you weren't implying that the coverage should use "new" as a standard for reasonable consideration of the coverage provided.

But she's been paying a LOT of money for a service plan.

I pay a lot of money for everything, it seems. I think it is human nature to feel like every price you pay is high. It's a meaningless assertion; nothing more than an appeal to emotion, and that sort of thing leads more people down into making bad choices, like buying protection plans, than saves people from making such bad choices, IMHO. The price is the price. The service provided is the service provided. The terms and conditions outline the parameters, and our courts are the reasonable and customary venue for working out differences when they cannot be worked out through direct negotiations between the parties. Nothing about the price trumps any of that.

I don't think it's wrong to expect non-functioning features to be repaired under that plan.

Of course, but the question is what is "non-functioning". That's evidently a matter of dispute, at this point. The point I made further is that such determinations are not automatically "whatever the customer says is non-functioning is non-functioning". There is a process for drawing disagreements about such things to a resolution. Assuming the end-result gets us back into the thinking that, as I alluded to earlier in this reply, results in folks making bad choices.

But this is why I never, ever buy extended warranties.

I have a different reason: Because the whole point is to make money by selling the warranties. You're obviously going to pay more that way, than just paying for the service you need.

The only exceptions I make are cases where I couldn't afford to pay for unforeseeable repairs that may occur, or where having a service contract jumps me to the front of the line for service. That's a value-add that I place a higher value on than most people, so therefore the premium I'm charged is likely to be closer to how much it is worth to me than to other people.

 

[tlbwriter]

I dropped a jar of peanut butter on top of my glass cooktop, causing it to crack. Sears refused to pay for the repair, but I couldn't fault them since it was my own negligence that caused the damage. If it had cracked while I was just heating something on the burner, that would have been a different story.

I wouldn't expect anyone else to pay for something I had broken either. Maybe I was wrong to assume that the OP knew she hadn't broken it and that was why she wanted it replaced.

 

[tlbwriter]

Then what was your point in asking PP whether it would be okay if a "new" refrigerator was missing a shelf? Your comment there makes no sense, if you weren't implying that the coverage should use "new" as a standard for reasonable consideration of the coverage provided.

Different opinions. You consider a refrigerator with a broken shelf (broken to the point that it cannot be used) to still be completely functional. I disagree. I was suggesting that if your new fridge didn't have a shelf, you'd find it less than functional. Probably a bad analogy. Let's look at a different one. Say my car's upholstery splits after a few years. Well, that's annoying, but the car is still completely functional. But what if my adjustable seat won't adjust any more? It seems to me that you are saying the car is still driveable, so I have no reasonable complaint. But I would say that even though the car still drives perfectly fine, it is less than fully functional with that damaged part, and if I had an extended warranty, I would expect it to be repaired.

Of course, this presumes my warranty was a "bumper to bumper" warranty. If I only had a drivetrain warranty, I would know not to expect that type of repair. And if my service plan on my refrigerator stated that only the cooling function would be covered, and not things like leaks, doors falling off, automatic icemaker not producing ice, etc., then I would know what to expect those either. I'm wondering what the OP's warranty actually said.

Of course, but the question is what is "non-functioning". That's evidently a matter of dispute, at this point. The point I made further is that such determinations are not automatically "whatever the customer says is non-functioning is non-functioning". There is a process for drawing disagreements about such things to a resolution.

Who was arguing against that? I'm quite sure that Sears finds this fridge perfectly functional, and that they will have the last word. I simply disagree with them. So, does no one else find it unacceptable that a refrigerator shelf would last less than 10 years? Does everyone else consider this normal wear and tear? Perhaps that's why I have such a problem with it.

 

[bicker]

Different opinions. You consider a refrigerator with a broken shelf (broken to the point that it cannot be used) to still be completely functional.

No I don't. I don't consider that the shelf is broken "to the point that it cannot be used" without seeing it for myself. Like I said: You're jumping the gun, making assumptions despite having an incomplete picture of the situation. There are always at least two sides to every story, and, as I alluded to earlier, jumping on the condemnation bandwagon in such cases, as you appear to have done, is damaging, imho. That rush to judgment hits on something that is very common, and very destructive in our society.

But what if my adjustable seat won't adjust any more?

The point I was making is that you're assuming that your analogy applies, when you really have no way of knowing for sure.

It seems to me that you are saying the car is still driveable, so I have no reasonable complaint.

I think you're mistaking me for another poster, because I didn't say anything remotely like that.

I'm wondering what the OP's warranty actually said.

BINGO. This is a major aspect of all this, and much of the point I was making. The rest of my point is that the story isn't over yet. It's actually very early in the process.

Who was arguing against that?

Any jumping to conclusions argues against that. My first reaction to this - and I think the most reasonable reaction to this - is, "Oh that's interesting: Let us know what they say after you've talked with the supervisor on Monday, and the manager on Tuesday, etc." I don't see the basis for the expectation that the issue would be resolved in such short-order, given the environment we live in and what's reasonable and customary.

So, does no one else find it unacceptable that a refrigerator shelf would last less than 10 years?

10 years? I expect a refrigerator shelf to last at least 3-4 years. Expecting every part in an appliance to last for 10 years is out-of-touch with what is reasonable and customary.

 

[ccgirl]

Stopped getting those things a lot time ago. Figured out for the same amount, less usually, I can just purchase a new appliance. Those service agreements will not cover normal wear and tear such as fading words, broken shelves etc. Other posters have given you some great suggestions.

 

[sbell111]

I've been paying over $300 per year since 2003 for a "Master Protection Agreement" from Sears. We've never used it until today. I called them last week because my dryer was making a noise, my ice maker will only shoot out crushed ice, the words are coming off of the front of my washer & dryer and I have a broken shelf in the refrigerator. I explained everything to the rep on the phone and she scheduled a repair visit per my "agreement."

The technician comes today and fixes the ice maker and does something to the dryer (not sure exactly what). However, he can't do anything about the words rubbing off the washer & dryer and he can't do anything about the broken refrigerator shelf.
...

Long story short....don't waste your money on a "Master Protection Agreement" from Sears!!!

You are absolutely right about those service agreements. They are super overpriced and don't cover enough.

Regarding your actual problem of the broken shelf and rubbed off settings, there are a number of online stores where you can quickly and fairly inexpensively replace these items. We've had good luck with RepairClinic.com. One cool thing about this site is that they show you pictures of the actual parts, so you can be sure that you are ordering the correct item.

 

[Green Tea]

regardless of whether they decide to replace your words and shelf, i would stop paying them $300/year. For $2100, you could buy a really nice he washer and dryer set. If you wanted to go towerds the lower end, you could get a washer, dryer, refrigerator, and a dishwasher for that much money!

+1

 

[TN Hockey Mom]

OP here. I appreciate all of the feed back and just wanted to share a little more info.

Someone said earlier that I should know what my settings are on my washing machine to be able to just set it and go. My washing machine has 12 cycle settings on it and they're not spaced very far apart on the dial. Therefore, I could easily put it on the wrong setting. One whole half is pretty much completely rubbed off. For an experiment, completely cover your cycle settings and then try to do 3 completely different types of loads of laundry. I bet you can't do it. Whether you think you look at the settings or not, my guess would be you do. The washer and dryer are about 4 1/2 years old.

The refrigerator shelf that is broken appears to have dry rotted. The side that attaches it to the inside door just snapped apart when closing the door one day. The only thing sitting on it at the time was a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of mustard. The plastic appears to be flaking off. It's not broken in half. The shelf itself is still completely together. We bought the refrigerator in May 2003.

If I can figure out how to post pics from my phone, I will. Maybe then everyone will have a better understanding of my problem.

As I said earlier, they fixed my icemaker. The problem with it was it wouldn't shoot cubed ice out of the front door, only crushed. It's just mind boggling to me why they would fix this problem and not the others. I could very easily just open the door to get cubed ice. It still functions.

Oh well, I've learned my lesson. They won't be getting my $300 per year anymore, however, I will still be calling a supervisor on Monday.

Thanks again for letting me vent and for all the feed back.

 

[MrsPete]

$300 per year x 7 years could have been a new washer and possibly a new dryer.

And that's why those plans are never a good value.

To give another example: I just bought a new set of tires. Firestone pushed me to buy "road hazzard" for $15/tire, which would mean that if I get a nail in my tire I wouldn't have to pay for the repair. Here's the thing: I've been driving for almost 30 years, and I've ONCE picked up a nail. Plugging a nail hole costs about $20. So essentially buying road hazard insurance means that you're paying in advance for a nail in every tire. How in the world does that make sense?

It's not reasonable to insure yourself against small repairs.

 

[bicker]

It's not reasonable to insure yourself against small repairs.

I am a bit confused, perhaps by the wording. I think you mean that it is not reasonable to take out insurance against small repairs. Do I understand you correctly?

 

[Octoberbride03]

And that's why those plans are never a good value.

To give another example: I just bought a new set of tires. Firestone pushed me to buy "road hazzard" for $15/tire, which would mean that if I get a nail in my tire I wouldn't have to pay for the repair. Here's the thing: I've been driving for almost 30 years, and I've ONCE picked up a nail. Plugging a nail hole costs about $20. So essentially buying road hazard insurance means that you're paying in advance for a nail in every tire. How in the world does that make sense?

It's not reasonable to insure yourself against small repairs.

Exactly. Its funny, a couple of years ago with our old car we ran into this exact problem. Had been losing air in 2 tires for weeks and finally DH takes it to the tire place down the road. He actually had run over nails in the road somewhere. It cost us a total of $25.00 to watch them submerge 2 tires in water and then patch the holes. Ran right as rain ever since up until the car died.

I always say no to the warranties and stuff. Its money that by and large is NOT well spent.

 

[HelenePA]

I wish didn't know my washer well enough not to know where they cycles are with out looking at the settings...