Extended warrentys ?? - Montana Owners Club

scductman · 12-19-2007, 03:43 PM

Since I had to repair my gray tank and with one already changed under warrenty I have been thinking about ext warrentys. I have not had many problems but you never know. First can I get one since mine was delivered in the summer of 05 but is a 2006. If I can what would be a good price for say a 5yr plan. The only plan I ever had was on my truck and it paided off with one trans repair. Just wondering if it is a good Idea. Thanks bobby

bncinwv · 12-19-2007, 03:51 PM

check out rvprotection.net, one of the places I checked on when I was researching the same thing. I personally purchased the plan through my dealer for reasons outlined on another thread. This site has a FAQ page and lots of information that I would think generally applies to most plans. Good luck and keep us informed on your findings.
Bingo
I have no interest or connection to this site, I am providing it as a possible source for info.

On edit, if I remember correctly I had a quote within an hour, but I am sure that depends on the time of day.

stiles watson · 12-19-2007, 03:59 PM

If you will go to the Good Sam site, they offer an extended warranty. Another approach could be to go to you favorite dealer and see what he has to offer. Ask the service department what warranties are good to work with. Price is immaterial if they resist paying for the service you need. There are several packages out there. You will just have to research it.

I would certainly recommend it. I had 2 major claims under the extended warranty: major repair of the main A/C and replacement of the landing legs motor. Others have been glad they had the coverage also.

scductman · 12-20-2007, 01:36 PM

Thanks guys I will call my dealer first he is only 30 miles from me. I have gotten 2 campers from them. They are as good as anybody I have dealt with. we are on a first name basis will also ck the net. thanks again always good help here. bobby

ggranch · 12-21-2007, 03:23 AM

I'm a little late checking in on this one but here is my two cents worth. I prefer the aftermarket extended warrantee (mine is CSP) because the dealers usually can only extend the factory warrantee, whereas the aftermarkets cover many more things/systems. They can also be more cost effective. Bob

bncinwv · 12-21-2007, 04:55 AM

Bob,
Not sure I agree with your statement, but I may be interpreting it wrong. I purchased an aftermarket extended warranty from the dealer where the dealer acts as an agent for the policy seller. It is not an extension of the factory warranty and covers additional items that the dealer installs as well. I am not an expert, but am only relating my experience and choice.
Bingo

richfaa · 12-21-2007, 05:08 AM

THERE IS A big DIFFERENCE.. . Example Ford sells a "extended Warranty" which IS a extension of the Factory Ford Warranty and backed by Ford. However The plan we have through Rv Shield is called a Extended Warranty but it is not a Extended Warrahty at all but a "service plan" and is so stated on the contract...know the difference before you purchase anything. Our error is in calling ALL of them "extended Warranties" There MAY be others but I only know of Forest River that offers a 'Extended Warranty" on their campers.

bsmeaton · 12-22-2007, 06:19 AM

Just a few sense from those of us that do not buy extended warranties.

First, they are NOT warranties. The manufacturer already warrantied your product to be free of defect for a reasonable amount of time before wear and tear starts to play into the equation. Extended warranties are insurance, no different than that insurance option you get in Black Jack when the Dealer lays down a face card and gives you a chance to even the odds. However, in Black Jack as well as Extended Warranties, you are not bettering your odds, you are participating in what is referred to as some of the biggest scams and worst investments out there as a consumer.

"Fully Refundable" is the biggest scam yet. Now you let the Extended Warranty company hold approximately $2,000 of your money for 3 years, and you can have it all back if you don't turn in a claim. You tell me, what is going to be your decision when the Dealer says you have a $1,200 repair? Knowing you will loose $2,000 instantly, you most likely are going to pay the $1,200 to preserve your $2,000. Then, what happens when you get the second $1,200 repair? - it starts over again. What if it's only $300, $800? If you turn in the claim, you may never need another repair again to that extent, and you loose the rest of the money anyway. In the meantime, while you are paying out of pocket every repair they are supposed to cover just so you can get your money back, they are making interest on your $2,000 through large investments.

Look at the larger picture. It's not just the extended warranty on your Montana, it's your truck, your car, your electronics, maybe even your house (there are some of those around too). Realistically look at the payout of these individually and then combined, and then calculate what you pay for all of these "insurance" policies!

I have not purchased an extended warranty for over 20 years. Given a continuous inventory of three cars and two RVs, plus numerous appliances and electronics, it is easily figured that I still have about $12,000 or more in my pocket because I did not buy "insurance", and my repairs have been no where near that cost. I've had one transmission go out and that vehicle was traded in rather than repaired. (hmmmm - new transmission, smell of new leather - easy decision).

Do the math, save your money and buy yourself a nice satellite dish or something. Don't succumb to the bells ringing, the lights flashing, and the screams of joy next to you in the Casino - sit back and know the better bet is you and 98% of the others in the Casino are going home without any of the money you or they came in with.

richfaa · 12-22-2007, 07:56 AM

You are absolutely correct in what you say.. As My post above yours indicates these are NOT extended Warranties but service contracts and the you will get your money back if you don't use it is ,of course, a marketing scheme. However... We have had Homeowners insurance for 30 years and never used it.. Therefore using your logic I should not have ever purchased it and I would have 30 maybe 35K plus interest in the bank but IF my home is destroyed that would not rebuild the garage.The same can be said for any insurance we purchase..it is is crap shoot. Insurance companies and Service contract companies stay in business because they play the odds, just like Las Vegas. The odds are you will never use the extended warranty (service contract) Just had the DPF filter replaced on my shinny new Ford Diesel,well over 1000.00. We paid 1100.00 for a 7 year Extended warranty (service contract) for the 3400.They are betting I will never use it....We are betting we will. The probabilities are that you will be, as you suspect, ahead of the game by not going with extended Warranties or service contracts. But like with auto insurance, home owners insurance, rv insurance, We are not willing to take that chance. The only insurance you know will pay off is life insurance but even then you will never collect as you will be dead..so why do we need life insurance.

bsmeaton · 12-22-2007, 09:22 AM

Rich,

The similarities in that logic gets too simplistic. The majority of your homeowner and auto insurance goes towards protecting your financial assets from those who would take it from you in the event they are injured or suffer loss as a result of you owning property (liability). The next major cut goes to insuring the total value of your property, and more often than not this is required by the lienholder, not you. In fact, a financial advisor will tell you that insuring a 5 year old car in most cases is "over-insured", as the insurance would pay far less than you might think and you most likely could recover the loss in a couple of years.

After that, its all the same. If you can absorb the financial loss for replacement or repair, you are feeding the profit hungry companies that sell you security for your own insecurities, and when it comes to extended warranties, they are at the top of the shark pool. It's not my opinion - I just watch the same news as everybody else.

ols1932 · 12-22-2007, 09:29 AM

Every extended warranty I have purchased, whether it be on my RVs or motor vehicles, have all paid off in more than it cost for the warranty, much more. I believe in this day and age that if you get by without having some extensive expensive repairs, then you are the exception.

Orv

bsmeaton · 12-22-2007, 09:37 AM

Orv,

Realistically you would have to be the exception, or there would be no profit in the business.

Not saying I haven't had expensive repairs, just nothing to equal the total value purchasing extended warranties on all of my vehicles.

ols1932 · 12-22-2007, 01:48 PM

Brad,
I guess that's what makes some of us believers in extended warranties. I remember when we could buy something from Sears and know it was going to last. And they still have a lifetime warranty on their Craftsman tools. But everything manufactured today is manufactured to fail within a specified amount of time, or so it seems. Yes, I may be the exception but there are many just like me who, if they'd speak up, would more than likely back my assertion that the extended warranties today are pretty much worth the money. Too many failures and that is with our Old World Craftsmen.

Orv

richfaa · 12-22-2007, 02:21 PM

We are with you ols.The probabilities that we will have a major failure on these units are very high. We have already had major failures that if they occurred now would cost major $ if we did not have a Extended service contract. We have leaks in two of our hydraulic lines. Lippert says it is a Keystone warranty responsibility. We are out of Keystone Warranty...more big $ without a Service contract. These units are high risk for major failure over time. I agree with Brads logic.... However ..the risk factor outweighs all.

bsmeaton · 12-22-2007, 07:20 PM

Given the problems you two guys have had with your rigs, you win the argument on the benefits of an extended warranty. Just know that for each of you two to benefit from the service, there were dozens of folks out there that had to loose money to make the business work. I'm just pointing out the "other side" to Bobbies question.

With regard to everything manufactured to fail Orv, I could not disagree more. In the 70s and 80s, my vehicles were DOA at 100,000 miles, and it took a transmission, paint job, reupholster job, valve job, water pump, alternator, timing gears, carburetor, and 12 tune ups to get me there. Today I have a '98 Ford with 140,000 miles and I've yet to perform a single repair of a failed part. Beyond worn out tires and brakes and regular preventative maintenance, it looks and drives nearly as good as the day I drove it off the lot. I would go as far to say that anything built in the USA in the 1980s, including RVs, was pure junk, and only today are we finding ways to build quality back into our products that we haven't seen since the 50s and 60s. Even my Sears washer and dryer have lasted far beyond any appliance from the past. Even with Montana's shortcomings such as poor assembly, the materials used to build them are far better quality than the older rigs. Far more resistant to weather, mold, mildew and general wear and tear.

Sans Bill Gates and the computer industry, I believe planned obsolescence is an urban legend.

ole dude · 12-23-2007, 01:39 AM

Each presenter has valid points, me tinks its up to the comfort level of the individual, however BUYER BEWARE.

trukdoc · 12-23-2007, 04:12 AM

I am not a fan of extended warranties. Insurance companies do not buy problems. It is also a very profitable sector of finance. "For them" A question to ask here in the forum is how many of us have spent more than $2500.00 (this is what I was quoted for extended warranty) in three years. Granted there are instances where it would pay off but for the most part it is cheaper to maintain the unit yourself. For instance if the frige goes out it is about $1100.00 to replace I still put money in my pocket. In the event of catastrophic damage I have good coverage on my homeowners and auto insurance which I already have paid for. I am handy so I do most of the repairs myself. And usually the things that are covered under warranty are things that will go out immediately or much later....just my two cents worth.

glenwynn · 12-23-2007, 06:09 AM

I have GoodSams and pay $303.00 a year with a $200.00 deductible, for me it's worth it.

Glen

scductman · 12-23-2007, 02:16 PM

Guys I wanted your thoughs and I really thank you all. I am also handy working on my monty so I will be thinking about cost. Glenwynn you seem to have a very good plan. I would really like to put that $$ towards a second AC. IT gets hot in the south in july. thanks again for the replies. bobby

trukdoc · 12-24-2007, 03:23 AM

As in any warranty read it very carefully! Some warranties are so full of exclusions and conditions that they end up not worth the paper that it is written on. I had a friend that bought a extended "Bumper to Bumper" warranty on his Dodge Pickup. And it seems that the only things covered were the bumpers. None of the electronics were covered, abuse was not covered, natural disaster was not covered,normal wear and tear item were not covered. He was having electronic problems and nothing was covered under warranty.
Another note I come across. Circuit City's reported 4th quarter earnings are low and one of the reasons cited was the lack of sales on the very profitable extended warranties.

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