Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

Hi. I just bought a Visor (basic model) from Comp USA. When I bought it, the guy there offered me the option of buying an extended warranty for about $60-$70. He said that, if I were to buy this, they'd replace the unit for--I think--3 years no questions asked. Without it, I'd only get that for 30 days. Well, I'm only going to use the Visor for the most basic functions (I'll use those a lot), and $240 seemed like too much to pay for that. I saw that someone else got a one year extension for $20. That would seem like a reasonable hedge against damage. But $60-$70? So, I'm wondering if the extended warranty is worth getting. I don't tend to drop things much, but I've seen a lot of people who say that they've had to get their unit replaced because of cracks, etc. Will Handspring replace the unit free of charge, or do you have to have some kind of extended warranty to qualify? Also, do cases help prevent damage? Most of the pictures I've seen seem to suggest that people don't use the plastic cover when the Visor is in the case. Thanks for the input...

Pete

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 64

I'd be very skeptical of anything CompUSA offers. They offer 2 different extended warranties on notebook computers; (1) the basic extended warranty that covers most of the parts and (2) a special "Screen Damage" warranty that covers specifically, "damage to the screen." The downside to the customer is that you end up paying somewhere on the order of $500 just for the WARRANTY on your notebook computer! And if you don't get the screen damage coverage, you'r not covered if there is damage to the screen.

Make sure you get all of the warranty details IN WRITING before you purchase. Retail store employees have the habit of making false promises of what coverage your actually getting just to sell you the warranty (mainly because they get paid more if they sell it to you).

I bought my Blue VDX directly from Handspring (so I didn't get pressured by some retail sales droid into buying a warranty). Handspring gives you a 12 mo. parts & labor warranty on the Visor. The only time I've needed to use this is to replace the plastic cover, which developed a crack near the top where it snaps in place, due to removing and putting it back on. Handspring sent one to me by UPS within two weeks time (would've been shorter, but this was early on, and I think they had a lot of plastic cover replacements),...

Registered: May 2000
Location:
Posts: 209

Extended Warranties comes real close to being a personal topic (some like 'em, some despise them, etc.):-)

Here's several things to keep in mind:

1) Keep all of your receipts. Should go without saying but you'd be surprised.

2) When you purchased your Visor, it came with a limited warranty from Handspring. However, what Handspring provides only warrants your Visor "will be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal intended use, for one year from the date of original purchase from Handspring." Handspring has been known to bend the "rules" a bit and that makes for good customer service. But I wouldn't count on that forever if the bean counters start figuring out money is being lost.

Although that last wording states "purchase from Handspring", you can consider CompuUSA as an agent of Handspring (legalese)-- they are an authorized distributor and the HS warranty is still valid to you.

3) Read the fine print of the CompUSA-offered extended warranty. Although the CompUSA salesperson said CompUSA will replace it "no questions asked", make dang sure that's spelled out in the contract. If it does and price is reasonable, then see #4. Also, check the plan if it will replace your Visor with the same or _similar_ new or refurbished unit and whether the plan kicks in at the end of the manufacture's original warranty period or if it goes into effect immediately. There's pros and cons to each.

Better yet: Read the entire plan and make sure you know what you're paying for.

4) A 3-year extended warranty plan? That might be too long and too expensive. Remember that the computer technology sector in general and the PDA market in particular changes fast-- just under the terms set forth by Moore's Law.

5) And don't forget "hidden" extended warranties or insurance you may already have. If you purchased your Visor with a "gold" or "platinum" type credit card (or AMEX), your credit card may already come with an extended warranty program (you might have to do a little leg work to get the service but it won't cost you anything extra). That might be good for repairs/replacements. And your homeowner's insururance might cover your Visor in case of loss.

However, both a credit card's extended warranty plan and a homeowner's insurance coverage doesn't immediately give you back a Visor-- that's one benefit a CompuUSA-offered plan gives-- walk into the store and walk right out with the replacement (so-- in other words, you might be paying for the convenience of getting the replacement Visor immediately).

[Edited by ProjectZero on 08-20-2000 at 03:51 PM]

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 7

Hey, thanks a lot for the info. I did buy it with a gold Visa, so I'll have to check out whether or not that would apply. Cashman: does your 12 month warranty from Handspring cover damage which is your fault (i.e. if you drop it and the screen cracks) ? Waiting a couple of weeks for a replacement wouldn't be much of a problem for me at all.

Thanks,
Pete

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 64

quote:

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Originally posted by pje65
Hey, thanks a lot for the info. I did buy it with a gold Visa, so I'll have to check out whether or not that would apply. Cashman: does your 12 month warranty from Handspring cover damage which is your fault (i.e. if you drop it and the screen cracks) ? Waiting a couple of weeks for a replacement wouldn't be much of a problem for me at all.

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