* In a message to Steve Brack on 10-24-97, MATT SMITH said the following:
MS> SB>         And it's served you well, I imagine.  OTOH, our radios are 
MS> SB>         all covered by factory warranties, and have 60 months'
MS> SB>         coverage available for as low as $19.95.
MS>     The Panasonic has done just perfect.
MS>     More important to this debate is that neither I nor most customers 
an
MS> to be bothered by the hassles of warranty service, even if it is free.  
MS> Most of us just don't want to spend our (little) free time rushing radio 
MS> equipment back to the retailer or UPSing it to some repair center.  Most 

MS> us also don't want to be without a radio while ours is being serviced, 
ve
MS> for free.
        You need to compare apples & apples.  First off, for most
        items under $100, replacement is made at the store instead of
        having the equipment serviced.  For any item, if repair is not
        possible, the item will be replaced, even with the next better
        model if the current model is no longer available.  And, for
        any item of appreciable cost, there will be a wait to replace
        it, since the money is usually not lying around.
MS>     The $20 extended warranty is damn expensive when the radio itself 
ell
MS> for $160, the warranty would add more than 10% to the radio's cost.
        Again, apples & apples.  The $20 extended warranty will
        eliminate the cost of repairs, each of which would have cost
        $39 plus parts, or an estimated $59.  Or comparing to
        replacement, instead of repair, the $20 extended warranty will
        eliminate the $160 charge you would have to pay to replace it.
        And, since the extended warranty covers unlimited repairs or
        replacement, it could save even more money over the course of
        years of use.  Further, the extended warranty's coverage does
        not alter as the cost of repair or replacement increases,
        protecting the purchaser from price inflation.  There are
        7,000 U.S. locations at which products can be left for repair,
        and repair is done within two weeks in most cases.
MS> SB>         I can earn a living practically *ANYWHERE*.  I choose Radio
MS> SB>         Shack because I am impressed with the company's abilities,
MS> SB>         commitment to the communities it serves, and its commitment 
MS> SB>         to be more than a sales organization (through training,
MS> SB>         educational benefits, etc.)  I've had offers to make more
MS> SB>         elsewhere.  I stand behind Radio Shack.  (What I don't do is
MS> SB>         speak for Radio Shack.  8-)
MS> 
MS>     I don't doubt that RS is a great employer for those who stay with RS.
        Yes.  It also goes farther than most companies do in order to
        be fair to its customers.  Where most places, if they can't
        repair the item, will simply refund the cost of the extended
        warranty, Radio Shack will give you a replacement, in some
        cases even six years from the date of purchase.
        As usual, I don't speak for Radio Shack.
 -- SPEED 2.00 #2712: Sittn' on this barstool talkin' like a damn fool 
--- GEcho 1.00
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