RonFrank
Contributor
dschulte:It goes on a bit further but the sentiment is the same from ScubaPro and many others. Internet retailers will help you to a point, and many do partner with actual brick and motor stores (Amazon.com does this), but this is done under the radar. Best case you get stuck with shipping your item to the brick and motor site for annual service (your cost both ways), worst case you have no warranty and get ripped for the annual. I have always been able to work with local stores and get almost the same deal after you add the shipping and ability to hold what you are purchasing and have that relationship.
:monkeydan
IMO warranties are VERY over-rated. I'd LOVE to purchase a relationship. Unfortunately what you are purchasing is a false promise in MOST cases. The company can go under, discontinue the product, or any number of other things that is a joke, and coved in the small print that as the consumer you agree to when you purchase an item.
In fact it IS a joke. American Warranties, and the value we place on them is a BIG joke to MANY other countries. They attribute this to lawyers, and I agree. I can count the number of times I've actually been able to USE a warranty on less than one hand. There are a few exceptions, and they tend to be BIG, Cars for example.