Extended warranties, buy now or later?

[Brad]

I apologized if this has already been discussed.

If you extend or upgrade your ThinkPad warranty, and as I understand this the extension or upgrade can only be done once, is it better to extend or upgrade when purchased new or wait until the warranty is about to expire?

Also if the warranty from Lenovo can be purchased from your vendor, if of course the vendor is not Lenovo, would you get the exact same deal?

Thanks

Brad

[carbon_unit]

Wait until you can afford to buy as much warranty as possible, then purchase. Don't wait until the warranty is expired, then you can not extend.
Purchase it directly from IBM/Lenovo if you want to be sure of what you are buying.

[ryengineer]

If you extend or upgrade your ThinkPad warranty, and as I understand this the extension or upgrade can only be done once, is it better to extend or upgrade when purchased new or wait until the warranty is about to expire?

There is no limit on warranty extension, IBM will service a machine as long as lenovo lists the warranty upgrade for any Machine Type as an available option to buy on it's web page.

Also, there is a difference between upgrade and extension. Upgrade is simply jumping from a lower warranty service to higher for an in-warranty machine, for instance going to on-site warranty from depot service. On the other hand, extension can only occur when your warranty has expired, in that case you have an option to buy post-warranty service.

Technically when you buy a new thinkpad with more warranty you're neither upgrading or extending your warranty, the upgrade warranty options lenovo lists becomes your base warranty. So I suggest you should buy the extended warranty along-with your new machine.

Also if the warranty from Lenovo can be purchased from your vendor, if of course the vendor is not Lenovo, would you get the exact same deal?

I can't comment $ wise but if you buy it directly from lenovo, they'll do the activation at the time of your purchase which other business partners can't.

Don't wait until the warranty is expired, then you can not extend.

Actually you still can, lenovo also offers post-warranty services.

[Brad]

I appreciate the information.

Thanks to all who responded.

Brad

[dsigma6]

I added a 1 year warranty after the factory warranty expired on my craptacular R40. I wish I had waited until the machine had a problem..

[wearetheborg]

Anyone know the pricing structure ? Any limitations ? For warranty extensions.

[ryengineer]

Anyone know the pricing structure ? Any limitations ? For warranty extensions.

Warranty cost depends on the Machine, it's Type and the type of warranty service you're willing to buy.

Give lenovo a call to get more info.

[carbon_unit]

Yes, each machine type is different.
Adding two years depot to a (at the time) 6 month old T42 cost about $125.00
Adding one year depot to a R51 with one day of warranty left cost about $175.00
Only IBM can tell you what it will cost for your machine and only you can decide whether it is worth it or not.

[Johan]

If you check the post of Wed Jul 04 in this thread, you'll find links to various ThinkPad warranty upgrade and extenstion options, incl. prices as of summer 2007.

Best regards,

Johan

[pianowizard]

is it better to extend or upgrade when purchased new or wait until the warranty is about to expire?

Wait until the original warranty is about to expire, because you don't know how long you're going to keep the laptop for.

[GomJabbar]

Also, check when your warranty is due to expire on Lenovo's site. I waited too long on my first T42 when I went to add warranty and I was unable to do so. I thought the warranty started when I bought the machine - it does not. It starts from when the machine was manufactured. So my 12-month warranty turned out to be just over 11 months in actuality.

Start from the Parts Lookup page, then click on Warranty Status.

[ryengineer]

Wait until the original warranty is about to expire, because you don't know how long you're going to keep the laptop for.

I agree, however more warranty can add more market value to the notebook.

[pianowizard]

more warranty can add more market value to the notebook.

But this added market value may be less than what you paid to extend the warranty.

[ryengineer]

snip...............I waited too long on my first T42 when I went to add warranty and I was unable to do so. I thought the warranty started when I bought the machine - it does not. It starts from when the machine was manufactured. So my 12-month warranty turned out to be just over 11 months in actuality.

I suggest (again), one should always add desirable warranty at the time of purchase because lets say if you're late in adding yours at time but still like to buy Post Warranty Service for your out of warranty machine, you won't be able to if lenovo stops offering services for your machine like in GomJabbar's case; lenovo is still offering post warranty services for T43 but not for T42.

[ryengineer]

But this added market value may be less than what you paid to extend the warranty.

True, nevertheless, lets assume a person buys a notebook with 3 yrs. base warranty ($99) and after 1-1.5 yrs. a new notebook pops up in the market, whose features excites him enough to sell his current machine, so in such situation a machine with warranty is definitely going to earn him some extra $ as compared to a machine with none left.

[Brad]

Thanks for all your continued replies.

Brad

[Johan]

@ Brad:

I suggest you check this very recent thread - it will most likely give you the best deal!

Best regards,

Johan

[DAH]

Lenovo is telling me I need to get a 41C9174 for my 2613 ETU, but when I search on the 41C9174 is does not seem to cover my T60p 2613 ETU. As these appear to be non returnable, and my warranty is about to expire, help!

Thanks
David

[Johan]

Lenovo is telling me I need to get a 41C9174 for my 2613 ETU, but when I search on the 41C9174 is does not seem to cover my T60p 2613 ETU.

First: I find it very strange (???) that the warranty on your T60p is already running out... does this mean that a "p"-series ThinkPad only came with one year of warranty?? I would certainly have guessed that a top-of-the-line "p"-model would always come with 3-years of carry-in base warranty? If so, how can it already be running out... T60's have not yet been on the market for three years??

I have searched various psref's, the tabook etc., but I have not been able to find any series-2613 T60's, anywhere... so I am unable to determine the base warranty for this model. If it only came with one year warranty, then the extension to an e.g. 5-year warranty is of course more expensive compared to if it came with a 3-year warranty.

Anyway, all information you ask for is directly available if you follow the links, provided above: If you first go to this thread and read the post of Wed Jul 04, 2007, then follow the third link: ThinkPlus Maintenace Services, and read page 27 (of 32), you will find 41C9174 listed for T60's model 2613 and specified as: "5 YR depot repair" at a cost of US$349.00,-

Although only "T60" is explicitly specified there (and not "T60p"), I would assume that 41C9174 would also cover model 2613 T60p's, but this of course you need to have IBM to confirm. Also on the page Warranty Service Upgrade (WSU) - Mobile Products you will find 2613 listed, but I find it impossible to read from that page if 41C9174 also cover T60p's? Finally, check the page Post-warranty annual maintenance agreement (MA) - Mobile Products - 2613's are listed, but what is offered??

I have no idea of there might be a cheaper alternatives, but call IBM - they ought to know!

As these appear to be non returnable, and my warranty is about to expire, help!

What are you saying here? If you extend the warranty, then of course you are not able to get your money back, once you have paid for the extended warranty - is that what you mean? But, on the contrary, if what you are saying here, is this: "If IBM sells me an incorrect warranty-extension, which does not at all cover my T60, then I have totally wasted my money!", then I agree - that you should by all means strive to get the correct warranty-extension in the very first try! But, honestly, if you (the customer!) calls up IBM and explain what ThinkPad you have, and ask for the options, then it ought to be them who provide you with various products, which apply in this case!

Kindly keep us posted about the best offer you are able to get from IBM!

Best regards,

Johan

[DAH]

Although only "T60" is explicitly specified there (and not "T60p"), I would assume that 41C9174 would also cover model 2613 T60p's, but this of course you need to have IBM to confirm. Also on the page Warranty Service Upgrade (WSU) - Mobile Products you will find 2613 listed, but I find it impossible to read from that page if 41C9174 also cover T60p's? Finally, check the page Post-warranty annual maintenance agreement (MA) - Mobile Products - 2613's are listed, but what is offered??

I have been to Warranty Service Upgrade (WSU) - Mobile Products which was Last modified: 2007-07-12, as well as to Post-warranty annual maintenance agreement (MA) - Mobile Products That was updated on 2007-07-12. Both pages give me the impression that no warranty is offered beyond the base plan, on the majority of T60s. My T60p is NOT the same as a T60, it has the 1600x1200 display that is no longer being made. When I purchased this computer I believed, and was told it had a three year warranty. I was not expecting it to come with a T2500 CPU, but it did.

I believe I am not the only one to experience a failure to communicate with IBM. I am curious what happens if I buy a warranty upgrade from a retailer, (who will not accept returns but I save about $70.00 over what IBM is willing to sell it to me for. ) In effect I'm paying a premium to buy it from IBM, who may or may not say at some point it is not an option. The retailer says to contact IBM, which I have done, and IBM claims this is what I need, but they will not match their dealers price. The dealer will not guarantee that their product will work for my computer and their site suggest that it will not.

So for me it comes down to is it worth a $20/year premium to order from IBM direct and only have one company to deal with. Having gotten a quote from IBM that list my model and serial number, with this product number will IBM stand behind it?

[Johan]

Just to set things straight:

1) When did you buy your T60p? (and, at that time, was it brand new or used - in the latter case, for how long?).

2) Please go to the Lenovo Warranty Lookup page and kindly check up exactly when the warranty on yor T60p will precisely expire? The serial-number you need to find out this, is on the bottom of your ThinkPad.

Thanks for reporting the above!

Best regards,

Johan

[DAH]

I purchased it directly from IBM, and it expires on 8/16/2007. I no longer have the original emails, and can't prove what I was told. But at this point that is nether here or there.

I just want to know if I can still obtain extended warranty service for my computer. I no longer simply accept every thing IBM tells me at face value. I'm just wondering if IBM will accept my money, and if something actually comes up down the road will they tell me that it is not covered. If it will be a case of not knowing the status until, I truly need it.

I'm sorry but IBM is big enough, that it shouldn't be this hard to find this info, and there shouldn't be such conflicting info, IMHO.

[pphilipko]

Also, check when your warranty is due to expire on Lenovo's site. I waited too long on my first T42 when I went to add warranty and I was unable to do so. I thought the warranty started when I bought the machine - it does not. It starts from when the machine was manufactured. So my 12-month warranty turned out to be just over 11 months in actuality.

Start from the Parts Lookup page, then click on Warranty Status.

Actually, the warranty starts from the moment you purchase it, not when it was manufactured. While my X40 was purchased on August 16, 2004, it was manufactured on July 15. I called IBM and sent in my receipt -- they updated their records accordingly.