Breakdown cover on electrical goods can cost more than half the price of the appliance itself and is often unnecessary, says consumer website which.co.uk.
When which.co.uk investigated warranties on electrical goods, it found a Kenwood smoothie maker, for example, being sold for ?17.50, and the three-year extended warranty for it cost almost as much at ?14.
Stores sell policies as ‘peace of mind’, but a replacement item could cost little more than the warranty, and with product reliability improving people are less likely to need cover in the first place.
Shoppers also have statutory rights which mean that in some cases, stores should repair faulty goods even after 12 months, when extended warranty cover would start. Shoppers can find out more at http://www.which.co.uk/shoppersrights .
?900 million worth of extended warranties are sold to consumers each year.
