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"Guaranteed" to irritate
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Location: Blogs Sly Comments |
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| Posted by: Emory Schley |
2/10/2007 1:08 PM |
Something that really bugs me is all those ridiculous Service
Contracts that sales clerks try to sell you when you purchase an electronic
item or an appliance. Generally, the so-called experts recommend against
buying those contracts. They point out that most products come with a
guarantee of at least several months, and that most electronic items – if
they work when they come out of the box – will generally work reliably for
years to come, thereby eliminating the need for a service contract in most
cases.
But running counter to the advice from the experts, most stores
and sales staff still try to talk customers into adding, if not hundreds
then at least dozens, of dollars to the cost of a product that many might
consider a throwaway item. In an attempt to dissuade sales people from
badgering me about service contracts whenever I make a purchase, I came up
with a little spiel I use in the face of too much persistence on their
part. Here’s what it may sound like:
Me: “What do you mean, buy a service contract? You mean to tell
me, these things are built so poorly, you actually EXPECT it to break? Is
that why there’s only a 30-day warranty on it? Well – waitaminnit – let me
think for a second! Hmmmm... gee, I don’t want to buy something that’s
liable to break so quickly after purchase. Maybe I ought to just forget –”
Him/her: “Oh, no, no – not at all! You misunderstand! I’m just
trying to save you the grief of having to pay for any possible service on
the item during the period the contract runs, and in addition...”
Me: “Ahah! So you DO expect it to break prematurely, because why
else would I need a service contract on something that’s practically brand
new?”
Him/her: “Sir, as you’re probably aware, repair costs have
escalated dramatically the past few years, and most customers resent having
to pay out additional charges on a piece of equipment they’ve already paid
for.”
Me: “Oh? Excuse me, but if I, as a customer, resent paying out
additional charges for a repair, then what keeps me from NOT resenting
paying out additional money during the purchase? You make me feel like I’m
gambling with Fate! Perhaps it’s best to just avoid any possible
unpleasantness. What say we just cancel...”
Him/her: “Please! Don’t cancel! It’s totally unnecessary! This
product should work just fine for a long, long time. It’s just that if it
doesn’t, you’ll have to absorb the repair bill.”
Me: “OK, fair enough. That’s exactly what I was prepared to do,
when I walked through the front door!”
Is it any wonder that both salespeople AND their customers
eventually develop gray hair! :-) |
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Comments (2)
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Re: "Guaranteed" to irritate |
By Dick Washburn on
2/11/2007 12:25 PM |
Amen! I have never bought a service contract in the 50 odd years I have been buying things that might breakdown
and figure I am so far ahead that I could replace just about anything I might buy now and still be a winner! |
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Re: "Guaranteed" to irritate |
By Rick Bolly on
2/18/2007 8:08 PM |
Extended service contracts can be a good or a bad idea. All depends on what you are purchasing. For instance, small appliances or items less than a couple hundred bucks are in my experience not worthwhile. However, something like a new fully electronic washer might well be worth it. Electronic control panels run as high as $400 to replace. I found this extended warranty worth it. From Sears they also include a yearly tune up and check of all system operations.
As a local sales clerk working for a company that offers extended warranties I find people interesting. I always offered the oppurtunity to purchase and fully explained what was covered. But, I never used high pressure tactics. Just here it is. What I find interesting is how many people hollowed like hell when something broke just out of warranty and they had not purchased the extended warranty. Things like they then wanted to purchase one, or you should have told me I really needed it at the time of purchase. Just can't win.
Let's face it, all insurance is a gamble. You are gambling it will pay off and the insurance company is gambling you won't use it. So what is one to do. Decide how much risk you are willing to absorb. Use a little common sense. And, above all make your own decision. Don't depend on anyone else to make a decision for you. And, be nice to most sales clerks. They are just trying to make a living and doing what the boss wants. |
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