Appliances Extended Warranty
Cindy Poppy - #14 14045 Nico Wynd Place, Surrey Real Estate - SeeVirtual
Fixing Stuff Under Warranty
What can you do if something in your household (appliance, heater, plumbing) breaks and you can't fix it? When should you consider hiring someone to fix broken stuff for you?
* When it's something you shouldn't be messing with, such as a microwave's magnetron or a freezer's refrigerant
* When you can't find replacement parts, but think maybe a repair pro may know how to make it work
* When it's quite valuable and you don't want to take the chance of perhaps damaging it during repair
* When you just can't figure out what the heck's wrong with it, but want it fixed
* Most important: When it's under warranty.
Before tearing something open to fix it, consider whether it's really the manufacturer's problem or yours. Many consumer items carry a limited warranty that the item will function for at least the specified time after the consumer buys it new. What is a warranty? A warranty is a guarantee by a seller or manufacturer to a buyer that the goods or services purchased will perform as promised, or a refund will be given, an exchange made, or a repair done at no charge. Warranties usually become effective when the manufacturer receives a warranty application from the buyer -- not necessarily at the date of purchase -- and are effective for a limited period of time. Warranties usually include limitations that exclude defects not caused by the manufacturer. Warranties are included in the price of the product.
Extended warranties are really not warranties. In truth, they are service contracts sold at an extra cost that is typically quite profitable for the retailer. That's why so many retailers ask if you'd like to purchase an extended warranty when you buy something. In some cases, the retailer makes more profit on the extended warranty than on the product it sold you.
Almost every purchase you make is covered by an implied warranty. The exceptions are items marked "as is" and sold in a state that allows "as is" sales. Implied warranties include warranty of merchantability meaning the seller promises that the product will do what it is supposed to do. A warranty of fitness applies when the product package or the seller tells you that the product is suitable for the described purpose.
What is covered by a warranty? Warranties vary, but typically repair or replacement, though there may be a charge for labor (not parts) or shipping/freight costs. The manufacturer or the seller may be the one required to honor the warranty. The warranty term may be for 30 or 90 days or a year or more.
Fix-It Tip: In the future, when you shop for replacement things, open up the box and read the warranty card to find out how long the product or specific parts are covered for repairs or replacement.
Will trying to repair something void the warranty? Maybe. Some warranties prohibit repairs not authorized or done by those authorized by the manufacturer. However, most things you buy will either not work as soon as you try to use them (they'll be repaired or replaced under warranty) or the day after the warranty expires (fixing is up to you).
What about recalls? More than 15,000 consumer items, including many things throughout a household, are subject to recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). A recall is an announcement from the CPSC that a specific product offers a significant risk to consumers. Stop using the product and follow instructions in the recall announcement. That may mean calling the manufacturer for a replacement or some other remedy. Recall announcements are for a specific model of product and the remedy is different for each product recalled. You can find out if products you've purchase have been recalled by contacting the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772 or online at cpsc.gov. You also can report unsafe products that you think should be recalled.
If you've determined that what's broken isn't under warranty -- someone else's problem -- how can you select the best repair service for the job? By first asking them a few questions:
* What experience do you have repairing this item?
* What training or certification do you have?
* Do you charge a flat rate or an hourly shop rate? What is that rate?
* Do you have a minimum charge?
* Is there a charge if you can't fix it?
* May I see your shop? (You'll see how your item will be treated.)
Remember to read anything you sign because verbal agreements are not binding. If the repair service says "$29.95" and the service contract you sign says "whatever we want to charge," you may wind up with a $300 repair on a $100 item. Most repair agreements include space for a do-not-exceed price; if not, write it in. And make sure the estimate includes both parts and labor. Ask what might happen to make the estimate go up. Ask if final bills usually come in under or over the estimate. Leave no room for surprises.
What specifically should you tell the repair person? Indicate the symptoms and list the things you've done to attempt to alleviate them. For example, "The unit won't turn on. I've checked the electrical cord and it works, but I haven't found any fuses." Any information you can provide means less time the technician needs for diagnosing and should mean a smaller final bill.
By understanding product warranties and how to select a repair service you can be a smarter consumer -- and save money.
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 Bazooka BTA6100 BT Series 6-Inch 100-Watt Amplified Tube Subwoofer List Price: Sale Price: $151.47 You save: $48.48 (24%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAs all-in-one solutions go, you simply can't beat the A100 Amplified Bass Tubes by Bazooka. Designed to be a simple-to-install yet effective upgrade to your car's existing mobile audio system, the A100 Bass Tubes feature a 100-watt, 2-channel amplifier built right in, coupled to a dual voice coil woofer. Since the amplifier has a built-in crossover to remove the high frequencies that the woofer cannot play from the signal, you get exactly what you need in the A100--crisp, clean bass and nothing more. When connected to your system, the end result is seamless integration, both electrically and audibly, yielding sound quality that your factory system As all-in-one solutions go, you simply can't beat the A100 Amplified Bass Tubes by Bazooka. Designed to be a simple-to-install yet effective upgrade to your car's existing mobile audio system, the A100 Bass Tubes feature a 100-watt, 2-channel amplifier built right in, coupled to a dual voice coil woofer. Since the amplifier has a built-in crossover to remove the high frequencies that the woofer cannot play from the signal, you get exactly what you need in the A100--crisp, clean bass and nothing more. When connected to your system, the end result is seamless integration, both electrically and audibly, yielding sound quality that your factory system simply can't touch. Crisp, clean bass and nothing more. Click to enlarge. The Bazooka Bass Tubes enclosure is optimized for corner loading. Click to enlarge. The corner of your car amplifies the concentrated bass output of the Bass Tubes enclosure. Click to enlarge. BT Amplified Bass Tubes The new amplified Bazooka subwoofers feature the legendary patented Bass Tubes enclosure design, but with a twist. These units are completely self-contained bass monsters. Available in 100-watt BTL or 250-watt Class D amplifier configurations, the new amplified Bazooka subwoofers are the true solution to the common automobile interior problem of "not enough space for bass." A Bazooka subwoofer adds the bass, clarity, and realism that your system is missing with absolutely no modifications to your car, its warranty, or its original audio system. If you are leasing your car, there is no better way to upgrade your stereo system than by adding a Bazooka subwoofer. BTA6100 The BTA6100 features a 6-inch dual voice coil subwoofer and fits in places most subs can't. The 6-inch works great behind the seat of small trucks, the trunks of sedans, or hatchbacks. Simply point it into the rear corner to take advantage of the Bass Tubes enclosure, and you're rockin' in no time! The Bazooka subwoofer's patented Bass Tubes bass-reflex enclosure design allows for use of 100% of the woofer's cone area. Inch for inch, it will outperform most boxes. The Bazooka Bass Tubes enclosure is optimized for corner loading, and its port and woofer are on the same plane and in close proximity for maximum corner-loading results. And, just like a megaphone amplifies a cheerleader's voice, the corner of your car amplifies the concentrated bass output of the Bass Tubes enclosure. Its advantage is that it fits any vehicle: the perfect fit for a perfect sound. As with all Bass Tubes Enclosures, the BTA6100 comes with straps to keep the sub securely mounted, while still making removal quick and easy if you need even more cargo room. Bazooka Add-ons Use Bazooka's F.A.S.T. harnesses to make installation even easier. They're a simple way to protect your vehicle's warranty by making installation a plug-in process. The T-shaped harness has three ends: One plugs into your car's OE radio, one plugs into the plug you removed from the OE radio, and the third end runs all the way back to the rear of the car and plugs into your A100 Bazooka subwoofer. Great for leased vehicles, the F.A.S.T. systems are available for most popular cars. Bazooka's RBCM-100 Remote Bass Control Module allows you to control the amount of bass from the driver's seat. Optional Chrome-Plated UMS Brackets give a flashier look, as well as a more secure, permanent mounting when removal isn't a problem. What's in the Box Bazooka BTA6100 BT Series 6-Inch 100-Watt Amplified Tube Subwoofer, wiring harness, installation hardware, and instruction manual. Features
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