Review Squaretrade vs. Service Net (Amazon) extended warranty

[Miranda7]

I was advised to repost this in this area.

After reading the fine print in both offered policies, I discovered significant differences, some of which I hadn't seen mentioned here, so I thought I'd share what I learned.   I verified most of this info with the companies, but please correct me if I am wrong.  

Links:

> SquareTrade

> Amazon's Kindle 2 Warranty

> Amazon's Kindle DX Warranty

Cost:

The price of the two warranties including Accidental Damage Protection is close, $65 give or take a few bucks depending on Squaretrade special offers.  

Term/Length:

Squaretrade has a term of 3 years total including 1 year manufacturers warranty period

Amazon Service Net has a term of 2 years including 1 year manufacturers warranty period


Deductible/Warranty:

Squaretrade's requires a $50 deductible and a 30 day waiting period after warranty purchase before filing a claim for accidental damage.  There is no deductible or waiting period for regular extended warranty claims.

Amazon Service Net has no deductible or waiting period for either accidental damage or regular extended warranty claims.  

Claims Process:

It is my understanding that at this time there is no Kindle repair process per se, broken Kindles are replaced with new or refurbished units.

Squaretrade is a separate company.  You are required to send the Kindle to the for evaluation, after processing the claim they generally send you reimbursement via check or voucher, allowing you to purchase a new kindle.  You pay all shipping costs.

The Amazon warranty is offered by "Service Net", which is affiliated with Amazon assuring a seamless claim process.  You call Amazon or Service Net, then Amazon sends you a new Kindle via overnight delivery.  You send the broken Kindle back to Amazon.  They pay all the shipping.


After a claim/Covering the replacement Kindle:

With both companies, your warranty is exhausted and no longer valid once a damage claim has been processed resulting in a replacement.
Square Trade will happily sell you a new warranty for your replacement Kindle because it is considered a new item you purchased with your reimbursement.
ServiceNet will NOT sell you a new warranty for the replacement Kindle because it is not considered a new purchase.


Summary:

In my opinion, neither warranty is better than the other, it depends on your individual priorities and circumstances.  If you want the longest term protection for mechanical failure, don't mind waiting for a claim to process and handle it carefully to avoid $50 deductible for accidental damage claims, buy SquareTrade.

If two years is long enough, you don't want to incur a $50 deductible for damage or shipping costs and you want a seamless, quick claims process, buy the Amazon warranty.

For extra protection, buy both! (which is what I did, inadvertantly.....mine was a gift and included the Amazon ServiceNet warranty.  I didn't know this and bought the Squaretrade myself)  

[Kathy]

Great review. I went with the Square Trade warranty and after reading this was glad I did.

[bruadair]

I think it's worth noting that with Square Trade they reimburse you the cost of the Kindle less the $50 deductible, so in my case when I buy my Kindle 2 next week, and if I have a claim through Square Trade, I would get a check for $249. If my claim is two years down the road I can take this money and either buy a new Kindle 2, a refurbished Kindle 2, the most current Kindle available or even a different brand ereader. Under the warranty provided by Amazon if my claim is covered under accidental damage the only option according to the warranty is to replace it with a new or refurbished unit. I'm going to get the square trade warranty as I like having 'options' should I have a claim. The reviews for Square Trade in general have been pretty impressive.


D&D

[Jo]

Ditto on purchasing the Square Trade warranty. I got 20% off so it was 39.99 including the accidental coverage too.

[lmk2045]

I purchased the Square Trade warranty with the accidental coverage for my KDX. With the 20% off coupon, my total was $71.99.

[cqprime]

anyone of you done warranty replacement with amazon service net or square trade while u r based outside USA.

I spoke to amazon and they told me i need to shipped the faulty kindle to amazon and they will shipped the replacement kindle to a USA address.

I am considering whether to get extended warranty since my current location is overseas.

Share your experience.

[Ms Deb]

Thank you for the reviews.  I decided on Squaretrade because I could spend the settlement on the newest reader instead of a refurbished (maybe outdated) reader.

[MarthaT]

thanks for the review, wish I wouldve seen it before I got my warranty

[kevindorsey]

Thank you for the reviews.  I decided on Squaretrade because I could spend the settlement on the newest reader instead of a refurbished (maybe outdated) reader.

That's a good choice.

[stitchbug]

I originally got mine from ST bc it was cheaper, but after I got it, I am so glad bc of this!

Thank you for the reviews.  I decided on Squaretrade because I could spend the settlement on the newest reader instead of a refurbished (maybe outdated) reader.

[pearledgar]

How long do I have to decide on getting an extended warranty?  I received my K2 for Christmas:)

[cheerio]

I got mine through Service Net so I could stay with Amazon

[KimberlyinMN]

How long do I have to decide on getting an extended warranty?  I received my K2 for Christmas:)

You have 30 days to decide if you want Amazon's extended warranty, 30 days to decide on Square Trade with the Accidental Damage addition or 90 days to decide on Square Trade for the basic warranty (no accidental damage added).

[KimberlyinMN]

One thing to point out is that, according to Square Trade's website, they will send you a pre-paid mailing label to send your item in to them.  Granted, I guess they don't say who prepays it, but I understand this to be that they prepay it.  https://www.squaretrade.com/pages/learn-more-warranty-buyer 

[ashash]

Great review. I went with the Square Trade warranty and after reading this was glad I did.

I did as well and i couldnt be happier with my decision

[Martel47]

After much deliberation, I just ordered a DX early this morning and started investigating warranties.  According to squaretrade, the info at the top is no longer accurate.  It's even better news!

Quote from their website:
If your Care Plan is bought on the same day as your item, then your ADH coverage begins immediately, if you buy your Care Plan on a later date than your item, accidents occurring in the first 30 days are not covered. ADH coverage does not cover willful damage, negligent use, theft or loss. A $50 deductible applies on ADH-related claims for Cell Phones only. SquareTrade has waived the deductible for all other ADH claims. ADH is not available on all items.


So there is no deductible for Kindle DX!  Now, I have to decide before 3AM if I want ADH to begin immediately.

[furcifer]

I would like to share my opinion of "Service Net". My experience with service net was horrible and I feel I was scammed.

I purchased a Kindle for my wife through Amazon.com last year in June. I also purchased the case and the 2 year extended warranty.

My wife only reads before she goes to bed (helps her fall asleep). So the kindle never leaves her nightstand.
Last week she attempted to read in bed. It refused to turn on. I had assumed the battery was dead, and told her to charge it.
The following morning, she took it off of the charger and it still would not turn on.

No big deal, I bought the extended warranty through "Service Net"!!

I contacted Service Net. They were very professional and prompt (replyed same day) when I e-mailed them about our Kindle. They sent us an overnight shipping label via e-mail so we could send the Kindle in to them. The same day we received the label, my wife shipped it out (Tuesday).

Yesterday, we received the kindle back. In the package was the Kindle and an envelope. I handed the Kindle to my wife.
She tried to turn it on, still won't turn on. So I opened the envelope. Inside the envelope was a copy of the warranty, a check, and a letter from Service Net. I read the letter and it stated "We have opted to buy out the remainder of the warranty. Enclosed is a check for the amount of $31.64."

I immediately called them and asked what this was all about. I gave my information and the lady asked if a copy of the warranty was included with the package. She told me to look at it and there should be a highlighted section that will explain everything.

I unfolded the warranty and noticed a section was highlighted and circled.
It states "If the product cannot be repaired, it will be replaced or the Contract may be bought out."

She stated "You have owned the kindle for 1 year and 5 months. The original manufacturers warranty expired in June and our warranty started. We have opted to buy out the remainder of our warranty contract. We issued a check for the amount $31.64. We are reimbursing you for the 19 months that were remaining on your warranty contract."


So now, we have a broken kindle and a check for 31.64. I feel this is a scam......

[Centient]

I just wanted to comment on furcifer's post about service net. I am dealing with a computer problem with them at this time. They have opted to "buy out" my warranty as well. They are offering 600.00 on my 1100. computer that was a year old when the mother board died. I've been waiting for it to be fixed for almost 3 months. It appears this is something this company does quite often. I've only ever had to deal with a warranty repair one other time and my experience had been a pleasant one. I would advise you to REALLY look into the "warranty contract" before using service net. Provided of course that you're given the contract.

As for the Kindle. I plan to read up more on it. I'm a BIG reader and have been looking into these. Told the hubby it would made a perfect Christmas gift 

[Hippie2MARS]

Thank you to you both for posting this. I am so glad I opted to go with Square Trade instead. I'm now looking at a warranty for the Kindle I bought my mom for Christmas. I was considering getting the one from Amazon, but this has definitely changed my mind.

Also, I just wanted to make it clear that there is NO $50 deductible on eReaders!

[retailranger]

I have read all of the notes below and here is some information that I have in my experience with the Service Net kindle warranty. First of all, the Service Net warranty is fulfilled by Amazon which means that the same people who you deal with if you dont have a service agreement helps you when you have a service contract. Secondly, the replacement product for the Service Net warranty comes from the same company that Amazon uses to refurbish the Kindle.

Does anyone know who repairs the units for Squaretrade and who takes their calls?

[tantien]

Update on the SquareTrade Kindle warranty:

Warranty Summary

    * 100% Parts & Labor Covered - Zero Deductibles
    * If we can't fix the item, we refund you item price
    * Free in-home service for large TVs/appliances
    * 5 day service guarantee
    * Cancel / Transfer anytime
 
I'm getting a 3 year with a 30% warranty with dropped unit coverage + a Mothers Day Warranty coupon. This is for the Kindle WiFi with Special offers.

Item:
amazon kindle
Coverage Limit:  $114.00 warranty summary
3 year product Care Plan    $17.99
Accidental Damage from Handling    $15.00
Mother's Day Sale!    -$6.60
Estimated Tax:    $0.00
 
Total    $26.39

Sounds like a fair protection plan. 

[mrskb]

...and if you want to cancel your Square Trade coverage for any reason (selling the covered item, etc.), they refund any $$ you have left on the warranty!