Warranty? Not really..

Once again, Big Business has shown me that they really don't care about the customers they "serve". A friend of mine had purchased a computer package from Future Shop in nearby Regina. They got the extended warranty package, simply because it was a good choice.

Recently (about two months ago) they had a problem with their LCD monitor, so they took it in to be serviced. The store had to send it back to the manufacturer. Here's the first problem. No loaner or anything in the mean time. TWO MONTHS! Terrible.

A few days ago, they contacted my friends and told them they can't fix the monitor and they would be getting a new one. We went to Regina to pick it up. Once in the store, we were told that in order to continue with the store's "warranty" package, my friends would have to pay for another 4 or 5 years on the monitor. Otherwise, it was "considered satisfied". Pardon? A five year "warranty" is satisfied after an monitor is exchanged due to poor construction? What kind of warranty is this?

Apparently, this is how it works. If you exchange a part for a new one due to whatever reason, they cancel the rest of the "warranty" unless you pay again. As I saw it, they either don't trust their products enough the back them with a standard warranty agreement, or they don't want to deal with you unless you shell out more money. Probably both.

The manager came out to "dumb it down" for us enough to understand. As if it wasn't insulting enough already. The last thing I said to the guy as we left the store (new monitor in hand) was, "This isn't a warranty... it's an exchange guarantee. As far as I'm concerned, you're guilty of false advertising."

All I can say is, if they try to sell you an extended warranty, check closely. Get them to write it out and have the manager sign it. Keep the person's business card, and never allow them to have the originals. Only provide them with copies. I, for one, and all of my friends, will not be shopping at Future Shop anymore.