MSI or Square Trade?

I got over-excited and purchased a square trade "3 Year Drops & Spills Warranty" for my new MSI GS60 606 (which arrives tomorrow). I live between the USA and France.

Amazon reviews for Square Trade looked excellent, until you actually sort by 'most helpful' - then you realise that the positive reviews come mainly from people who have never filed a claim. Those who have post mainly negative reviews - damaged laptops being sent to customers, inferior components swapped in, claim denials, etc!

I paid $339.99 for the Square Trade warranty and don't know how much an MSI extension costs.

So what's the best option here? Square Trade or an extended warranty from MSI?

 

MSI provides standard warranty for 2-year, and 1-year accidental if registered within 30-day of purchase.
Square trade provides services on the 2nd and 3rd year after manufacturer warranty expires, thus, you are getting more out of your investment if anything happens to it within the entire 3-year of coverage.

 

Right - but is it better to extend the MSI warranty instead of Square Trade given their terrible reviews?

 

MSI's extended warranty will only provide standard warranty up to 3 years, and it's not accidental.

 

I always buy Squaretrade with one of their 30-40% off coupons for new laptops. I've never had to use it, but like knowing it is there if I need it.

Plus, what I also like is that it either easily transfers when I sell the laptop or I can cancel it if new buyer doesn't want it and is prorated so I get a fair bit of money back.

 

What I'm saying though is that there may not be any value to the protection plan. If you look at Amazon reviews, most are by people who have never filed a claim who - like you - just comment on how they 'feel' covered. Look at the most helpful reviews from those who have filed claims and it looks like nothing but trouble:

http://www.amazon.com/SquareTrade-C...UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending

Your feeling of 'knowing its there when you need it' doesn't sound justified..

 

Claim denials are normal because people don't read their warranty contract and call to make a claim with their extended warranty during the first year and then get upset when they are referred to the manufacturer. Squaretrade is great but you have to understand what you are buying

 

Not to mention the majority of the reviews are fantastic, but the people who whine the most seem to call the most attention to themselves

 

Read the reviews - The claims sound perfectly legitimate and the problem isn't only denials. This is what I've gathered so far from the reviews:

• They damage laptops: Many reviews write about their products coming back in terrible shape, with dents on the case/bezels as technicians apparently pried open the case.
• Worse parts: Many reviews complain of lower spec parts being used, many of which are refurbished or visibly damaged.
  
• Theft: Some reviews mention that their working components were swapped out for worse parts. For instance, an i7 processor swapped out for an i5 (good thing the guy checked but most people would miss this).
  
• Excessive time: Some people have their laptops take over 2 months before being returned
• Unrealistic charges: The cost of repairs are deduced from your coverage and people complain that these costs are unrealistically high.
• Seemingly purposeful delays: Promises to send a box for repairs but no box ever appears, then support just stops replying.

I'm seriously wondering whether I should just cancel my plan with them....

 

Look at the fantastic reviews - the vast majority of them never filed a claim and just say they feel protected. Apparently Square Trade encourages clients to post reviews when they purchase the product (before they ever claim). This appears to be how they get high ratings.

 

On my phone so I will keep it short - damaged laptops from the depot? Extremely rare, almost never have this issue. Length of repair 2 months? After 10 business days you can request reimbursement for the item not to mention the warranty.

 

Box from depot never comes, this does happen but its usually exasperated when overseas support processes it incorrectly. Call centers are all being moved stateside

 

Lower spec parts / refurb parts - lower spec? Much the same as laptop damage this is extremely rare and a legit depot mistake. Refurb? Yes of course that's how warranties work

 

Lol, just cancel the policy man, you wanted an opinion and I gave it on why I like their coverage.

My main reason for purchasing it is for the accidental damage coverage, in which case they just write me a check for the amount on my receipt for my damaged laptop. With dogs and kids around, accidents happen, I like the coverage. It's not a "feeling" of coverage, it is coverage with a binding contract.

Have you read the horrible reviews for RMA service direct from MSI, Dell, Acer, Asus, Sager, Gigabyte, Apple, Microsoft, Lenovo, <insert ANY manufacturer here>... they all have occasional problems, there is always going to be an issue pop up for some users, and guess who writes the reviews?? The few that have the problem with the service.

I doubt I'll take the time to write a review for Squaretrade if I ever need their service, but you better believe that if I do need them and then have an issue I'll be shouting it from the rooftops in an online review to anyone that will read it. Simple human nature.

Additionally, as I mentioned, it's a very simple 30 second process to transfer the warranty when I sell my laptop, which is a plus for the buyer if they want it and adds value to a used laptop. If they don't want it, every time I've requested a prorated refund it has been hassle free and payment processed quickly. I've been a customer with them since 2004, no complaints, but your mileage may vary of course.

Sounds like extended coverage might simply not be for you. Save your money and take your chances.

 

It really depends on what types of product you are covering under SquareTrade, perhaps they have strength in some items and weakness in computers?