[redwitch]

I had an AC/heater break on New Year's Eve a few years ago. The tech came out at 11:00 pm and left at 2:00 am. There were no charges for overtime or holiday rates -- it was a flat fee to come out (I believe around $85) and regular hourly rate. I asked the Sunkool tech why no extra fees for labor and was told that if a contractor wants to work in TV, they have to agree to charge the same rate at all times. I don't know if this is true but do know that I haven't seen weekend, evening, holiday or overtime rates ever being charged here for any repair work.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Easyrider

Quote:
Originally Posted by Easyrider View Post
One weekend or holiday service call on overtime for labor alone can cost you more than the entire service contract if you can even get someone to come out.
I would say most of us have home and car insurance and the contract is just basically insurance against the chance of your AC going down at the worst possible time.






How about reading the part in bold above, AGAIN. An extended warranty is just an insurance policy....to cover future AC failures should they occur. The extended warranty I have is transferable to a new owner if I decide to sell. Go with an established, reputable company that has been around for a while.

Sorry, I'm still not convinced. I have never had an insurance contract on my A/C and I have come out way ahead, money wise. I've been living in The Villages since 1999 and so far have only spent a TOTAL of $450 for repairs and yearly check-ups (In other words, I never called for a yearly check-up). Contracts and yearly check-ups, over that period of time, would have cost me much more.

Can you find that one person who has a lot of bad luck with their A/C? Of course you can, but the vast majority of people will not have that kind of "bad luck". Do you have a contract on your refrigerator, stove, microwave, television and computer? And there's a contract you can buy for your gas line, in case you have a gas leak. With the money you save by not buying multiple contracts, you can well afford to pay for your own repairs and replacements.

[billethkid]

No! Save your money.

btk

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by asianthree

we have sunkool 10 year and have had to use them twice worth the money

We also have Sun Kool's 10 year warranty. We've had two major repairs since 2005 that have more than repaid the cost of the 10 year warranty. In 2009 Sun Kool replaced the air exchange unit in the garage and last year after running diagnostics for two days also replaced the coil surrounding the compressor outside. The air exchange unit was covered under the Mfr's warranty and we paid nothing for labor. The second repair was also completely covered. We normally don't buy extended warranties but we made an exception for the AC and we're very happy that we did so. Like car insurance, you hope you'll never need it.

[skip0358]

I have the contract and so far so good. Three of my neighbors haven't been solucky and wish they had taken the extended. So it's a crap shoot.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

no!

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Sorry, I'm still not convinced. I have never had an insurance contract on my A/C and I have come out way ahead, money wise. I've been living in The Villages since 1999 and so far have only spent a TOTAL of $450 for repairs and yearly check-ups (In other words, I never called for a yearly check-up). Contracts and yearly check-ups, over that period of time, would have cost me much more.

Can you find that one person who has a lot of bad luck with their A/C? Of course you can, but the vast majority of people will not have that kind of "bad luck". Do you have a contract on your refrigerator, stove, microwave, television and computer? And there's a contract you can buy for your gas line, in case you have a gas leak. With the money you save by not buying multiple contracts, you can well afford to pay for your own repairs and replacements.

Sorry, but note, I wasn't trying to convince you then nor am I trying to convince you now.

I would say you are about due for a major problem anytime now especially with your lack of regular maintenance. If your system is not up to peak performance you're wasting electricity $$ too. Didn't mention if the filters were being changed.

Some things you take a contract and some things you don't but AC does get a workout here and can cost a bundle to repair.

If you can afford to take the hit in $$ for a total failure of your AC system or numerous service problems then it's your call. A stove or microwave is pocket change to what a heat pump can cost to repair in case of a compressor failure. Peace of mind is worth at least something and with a contract your request will be a priority.

[eddie888]

Thank God I had a warranty.My condenser,coil and thermostat have been replaced for free and no labor charges.I will buy it again from Sunkool in our new house.

[Debfrommaine]

Originally Posted by eddie888

Thank God I had a warranty.My condenser,coil and thermostat have been replaced for free and no labor charges.I will buy it again from Sunkool in our new house.

How old is the unit?

[Microcodeboy]

Originally Posted by eddie888

Thank God I had a warranty.My condenser,coil and thermostat have been replaced for free and no labor charges.I will buy it again from Sunkool in our new house.

That is remarkable. All those parts that should last forever went bad and were replaced under warranty. How about Munns and everyone else gets the insurance from another company and then starts replacing parts... What a business.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Anytime a company wants to sell a warranty, it's usually designed to make money for them and not to save you money. They know the odds are in their favor. Otherwise, why would they do it?

Clark Howard, the consumer's advocate, tells people on the radio to never buy a warranty. Usually, the salesman who pushes the warranty gets a big commission for doing so. You pay $500. and the salesman might get a $50 commission. What does that tell you?

I agree. There isn't a warranty out there that is worth the money.

[Dreamer61]

Dennis G, is that $500.00 per year? And is there a deductible?? Thanks

[chevy]

Originally Posted by Debfrommaine

OK, not sure what to do about my a/c warranty. Currently, have 10 years parts and 5 of the 10 also includes labor. The company is offering another 5 year warranty on labor for $499 which basically means 10 years parts and labor. We plan staying in the house for 10 years; if we move the 5 year extended warranty on the labor is not transferrable.

Would you go for the extended 5 years on labor for $499 - again giving 10 years parts & labor? The unit is 22 months old. Thanks.

YES