By Gregory Karp Do extended service contracts warrant your attention and your dollars? It's a question that comes up time and again. Seemingly whenever we buy anything of value, a salesperson suggests that we should buy an extended warranty, sometimes…
You're buying a new computer. As you pay, the salesperson asks if you want an extended warranty. The cashier may call it a protection plan, insurance or a service agreement. You're already making a large purchase. Should you pay even…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With much of the nation still digging out from extreme winter weather that brought battering snowstorms, treacherous ice and Arctic temperatures, cars have become more susceptible to the dangers of rusting undercarriages caused by snow, ice and…
It's the holiday shopping advice you hear every year at this time: Skip the extended warranties. Consumer advocates have repeated this mantra for decades. "They're basically a waste of money," said Anthony Giorgianni, an associate editor at Consumer Reports. "If you…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Consumers are expected to spend $66.5 billion on electronics this holiday season and a record number will protect them with service contracts, given the high risk that portable electronics will be broken or damaged. “After spending a…
1. The dog ate my smart phone. In a recent survey of 1,000 parents, half said their kids had damaged a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Pets do their share of mischief, too. Plus, plenty of responsible adults drop a phone…
As consumers including those with damaged credit hold onto their vehicles even longer the Service Contract Industry Council reminds us that this is one more reason to consider one even if that auto loan is paid off. What we know…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In the aftermath of the Great Recession, American motorists are hanging onto their cars longer – and with the rising cost of repairs to keep those vehicles on the road, the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) says…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Consumers considering whether to buy an extended warranty for their important back-to-school purchases now have a convenient, free tool to help them make good choices. The Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) is offering a simple and handy…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The summer mowing season is in full swing, and consumers are faced with the unpleasant fact that popular lawn mower models are among the most repair-prone consumer products. That’s why shoppers are turning to extended warranties to…