Bought a Washer & Dryer today -

[Woody]

They say that I need an extended warrenty because of the motherboard. They say that when we get Lightning that it will wipe out the motherboard.

Is there any other way to protect the motherboard?

Not sure if this belongs in the computer forum of what - but would appreciate anyone who knows appliances or computers to answer.

[Gail]

A surge protector wouldn't help with that?

[Woody]

Do they make surge protectors for appliances?

[CoAspen]

Yes!! Go to some place like HOME DEPOT and ask about it. That is the first time I have heard that line to used to sell an extended warranty.

[CoAspen]

Only if your home took a direct hit...then nothing may be safe and that is why you have home owners insurance!!

Tell them to go suck an egg!! Strictly a scare tactic!!

[Woody]

Yes!! Go to some place like HOME DEPOT and ask about it. That is the first time I have heard that line to used to sell an extended warranty.

I bought them at Sears.

[Dottie]

The surge protectors are not for specific appliances. They will work anywhere you can plug them in between an appliance and the wall. But make sure that it is srong enough to do the protecting.

[Woody]

The surge protectors are not for specific appliances. They will work anywhere you can plug them in between an appliance and the wall. But make sure that it is srong enough to do the protecting.

Thanks Dottie. That was my question - do they make ones that are strong enough for the washer.

[Gibs]

Woody, A surge protector big enough to handle a washer is very expensive. All these appliances have computers in them and it is cheaper to buy the extended warranty unless you live where there is no lightning and other outages causing pulses. A lot of things cause pulses on the power lines, I worked as a Journyman lineman for 30 yrs and 5 before that. Even things shorting out other circuits that are off your feeder line can cause a pulse and take out something. I've lost some electric equipment here as we have a lot of lightning and outages.

I could tell you an unbelieveable true happening of what lightning did to one house on our system once, very unbelieveable, but it's a tall one to believe, only seeing it could you believe it.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gerr]

Only if your home took a direct hit...then nothing may be safe and that is why you have home owners insurance!!

Tell them to go suck an egg!! Strictly a scare tactic!!

We got hit by lightning about two years ago. There was a loud pop in our living room. It knocked out our dishwasher, dryer, cooktop, microwave, the electronics of our player piano, my Carver receiver, and a few smaller electronics. The total damage came to about $15k. Fortunately, it was all covered by the house insurance. A friend of mine just had a lightning strike near his house and knocked out several appliances also.

[Woody]

Please Gibs - tell me your tall tale.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: CoAspen

Only if your home took a direct hit...then nothing may be safe and that is why you have home owners insurance!!

Tell them to go suck an egg!! Strictly a scare tactic!!

We got hit by lightning about two years ago. There was a loud pop in our living room. It knocked out our dishwasher, dryer, cooktop, microwave, the electronics of our player piano, my Carver receiver, and a few smaller electronics. The total damage came to about $15k. Fortunately, it was all covered by the house insurance. A friend of mine just had a lightning strike near his house and knocked out several appliances also.

Thanks to you Gerry and also to CoA for mentioning the home owners insurance. Why pay for an extended warrenty when you are already covered by Home Owners?

[Gibs]

Please Gibs - tell me your tall tale.

No tall tale to tell there Woody. I gave you the facts of this new stuff out is more fragile to pulse damage than the older stuff.

We have a fridge we bought in 1951 and it went with us to Florida and several other places we lived and it is still living and runs cheaper than the the new ones. Just checked it's freezer temp yesterday, 5 below zero and 35 in the fridge part. Lighting has takes out another one and some other things and this old girl still perks on.

Just replaced the one we have in the kitchen and it has cost us around 500.00 since we bought it on repair and it died so I bought a new cheap a one as I could find. Has a computer board in it and if it goes bad, might as well buy a new one, just as cheap. Most at these stores will tell you the same and the repairmen the same.

I do hope you good luck with your purchase as they are expensive. We have a maytag washer and dryer bought in 1990 and no repair yet but I know I'll be doing the same for long.

Hope we don't have to go back to the old washboard and cloths line, but we may, hang in there!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

Thanks GIbs. That wasn't such a tall tale after all. IT was rather short. But sweet.

[Jeannieb43]

About extended warranties, in general. Our rule [mine and my late husband's] has always been NEVER buy an extended warranty. Today's appliances are sold on such small profit margins that that's the way the stores try to increase their profit. For [new] automobiles, too: No extended warranty. There's already a good manufacturer's warranty on everything these days, so why pay money for something which [likely] will never be needed. Better to put the price of that extended warranty into an interest-bearing account somewhere, and keep that money to pay for any big repairs which may be needed.

[i heard Dave Ramsey on the radio say the same thing: never buy an extended warranty.]

[Stan]

When I managed stores several years ago, we would get the price of a extended contract, and bank that money for everything. We paid repairs out of that.. The average use was 10% of our cash we put aside for that.

[cricket]

Our washer died this morning. We bought a new one from Sears and went ahead and purchased the maintenance agreement. The unit we purchased was already on sale at $148 off the regular price, we asked for another 10% discount (and got it), and asked for free hoses (and got them, too). The maintenance agreement will cover all costs including parts and services as needed on the machine for 3 years--with free optional yearly maintenance check-ups. The maintenance agreement begins from the moment we purchased it. Additionally, if the maintenance people think the unit should be replaced instead of repaired, then they will do so--all free of additional charge to us. I think we'll be satisfied with our purchase (we always have been in the past with our appliance purchases from Sears).

I suppose we could have kept that $99 we paid for the maintenance agreement and put it in a high-yielding investment at 8% per year. After 3 year years we could have "earned" an additional $25.

[Woody]

Way to go cricket.

As instructed here by some - I went to Home Depot and Lowes. They all said the same thing - that nothing would protect the washer from a power surge. They said the best thing is to buy the extended warrenty.

Okay - I'm still not sure I believe that is the best route. But it might be.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Here's a surge protector that can be used with appliances..AND has Lifetime insurance coverage for connected equipment:

Tripp Lite ULTRABLOK Isobar Surge Protector/Suppressor 2 outlets, Direct Plug In, 1410 Joules

The ULTRABLOK comes with $10,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage for connected equipment—guaranteed lifetime protection against damage due to surges, including direct lightning strikes. Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage begins the moment you purchase your Tripp Lite surge suppressor—no forms to fill out or send in! Additionally, all Tripp Lite surge suppressors are backed by a lifetime product warranty and a rapid-response, no-questions-asked replacement policy.

[Woody]

Thank you Pam. I looked it up on Ebay and emailed them to find out if it works on Washing Machines. Appreciate your help.