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Thank you very much, but no thanks!
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Location: Blogs Sly Comments |
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| Posted by: Emory Schley |
11/7/2007 6:01 AM |
There are lots of little nit-picking peccadilloes that plague us during our everyday activities. Among the most annoying, at least to me, is whenever I buy some little gee-gaw, the sales clerk always asks if I want a service contract to go with the item. As a marketing tactic, it strikes me that this is not a very sound strategy. It can have a deleterious effect in the mind of the customer. I’m sure this technique adds a lot of additional bucks to the bottom line of the ledger, but most of the experts say service contracts generally aren’t a good idea for the consumer, who winds up paying for repairs that are never made, in most instances.
Most items bought from reputable sources have at least a 30-day warranty on them, and some even longer. That should be long enough to get the item home, open up the packaging, and take the little gee-gaw for a spin, just to make sure it’s in proper working order. If not, then a trip back to the merchant to return the device should take care of the matter. Or in some cases, the customer is expected to ship the item back to the factory.
If it works when it comes out of the box, then it’s reasonable to expect the item to perform for quite awhile as long as it’s not abused or put to tasks it was not designed for. When a clerk tries to sell me a service contract on something I’m buying, I immediately start questioning WHY they are recommending a service contract for the item. Do these products break down so frequently that the store considers the service contract a necessity? If so, then I tell the clerk I certainly don’t wish to walk out of their place of business with an item that’s expected to break down shortly after the time I get it home.
A few pertinent points made along this line, along with a veiled threat of canceling the purchase generally gets them to refrain from making additional suggestions along that line of thought. It always makes me feel somewhat smug knowing I've talked my way out of spending a few unnecessary dollars, but then I'm brought back to reality while walking out the door as I realize that on the next purchase, I'm probably going to have to go through the same routine all over again. |
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Re: Thank you very much, but no thanks! |
By Howard on
11/13/2007 11:40 AM |
| I totally agree, in principal, with what you say about service plans. I personally don't get them either. However, that being said, I was employed in the retail jewelry trade that made such service plans available with the purchase of certain types of jewelry. It was essential that this be offered with each purchase, because, as you said, it adds to the bottom line. On the other hand, it is important that people understand to what they will expose their purchases and the potential damage they can inflict themselves. Thus, the service plan that repairs gold chains, gem settings, and gold jewelry itself (without gems) could in the long run save the customer money if they want to wear it with confidence and enjoyment and not being concerned about the cost of repair. My experience is that people will not pay to get the jewelry repaired if it comes out of their pocket, but would rather relegate it to the back of the drawer, never to be worn and appreciated again. If you make the item portable and can be abusive with it, you may want to rethink that service plan. |
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Re: Thank you very much, but no thanks! |
By bawb on
11/19/2007 12:11 PM |
| Since everybody seems to agree that it is in the best interest of the seller to offer these plans, what's the problem with them asking you to buy one? How many would they sell if they did not ask customers to get it? |
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