This might be a good time to mention the bathtub curve again...

https://www.weibull.com/hotwire/issue21/hottopics21.htm

In summary, if something is going to fail due to manufacturing defects, design defects, or faulty assembly, it will be HIGHLY likely to fail within the warranty period. Otherwise, if the owner/user does not break it or abuse it, it will croak and go belly up after its long and useful designed life.

Since manufacturers' warranties usually do not cover our mistakes or abuse, they're somewhat limited in their worth, IMHO. Extended warranties are worth a LOT to the people who sell them, but usually NOTHING to the fearful consumer. Before anyone buys an extended warranty, THINK:

"What if I put the cost of an extended warranty in a special savings account, instead of paying it to the dealer? And what if I did that for *every item I buy* that has an optional extended warranty? Would I not eventually have a fund that could cover practically any repair or replacement I might need?"

Expressing that thought to the finance person (A.K.A. the "evil closer") at an auto dealer will make them turn purple! They hate it when your logic deflects their fear-mongering.

Most of the technology I have is well out of warranty. I don't buy cheaply built tools or machines. Whatever I use, I researched well when I bought it. So if I still have something, either it still works, or it can be repaired at a sensible cost when I need it.

I have lenses I bought in the 1970s. I have two stereo receivers from the early 1970s that I "re-capped" and cleaned out, and they work great playing digital music. One of our twins' 2009 Prius has 178,000 miles on it and runs like new. Do I worry that the HV battery will need replacement before he graduates from college? No. A new battery costs less than a good replacement used car!

Most of the cars we have bought since 2008 were used. My other son found a 2013 Lexus ES300h with 53,000 miles on it last month. New, it cost $45,595 out the door (original sticker was in the manual). Used, he paid $16,495. The paint and interior are flawless. The engine is barely broken in. Everything on it works as if new. The mechanic found no codes, about 60,000 miles left on the brakes, and maintenance records from CARFAX that show by-the-book treatment at the local Lexus dealer. It is known as one of the most reliable cars you can buy, so buying it with no warranty did not bother him. And yes, he started a "warranty savings account" a while back.

You can save a lot of money when you take the emotion out of purchases... Define your needs and buy carefully. Then treat your things with care and they will serve you well. Do you NEED more than a one year warranty on a new lens? I would bet not.

This might be a good time to mention the bathtub curve again...

https://www.weibull.com/hotwire/issue21/hottopics21.htm

In summary, if something is going to fail due to manufacturing defects, design defects, or faulty assembly, it will be HIGHLY likely to fail within the warranty period. Otherwise, if the owner/user does not break it or abuse it, it will croak and go belly up after its long and useful designed life.

Since manufacturers' warranties usually do not cover our mistakes or abuse, they're somewhat limited in their worth, IMHO. Extended warranties are worth a LOT to the people who sell them, but usually NOTHING to the fearful consumer. Before anyone buys an extended warranty, THINK:

"What if I put the cost of an extended warranty in a special savings account, instead of paying it to the dealer? And what if I did that for *every item I buy* that has an optional extended warranty? Would I not eventually have a fund that could cover practically any repair or replacement I might need?"

Expressing that thought to the finance person (A.K.A. the "evil closer") at an auto dealer will make them turn purple! They hate it when your logic deflects their fear-mongering.

Most of the technology I have is well out of warranty. I don't buy cheaply built tools or machines. Whatever I use, I researched well when I bought it. So if I still have something, either it still works, or it can be repaired at a sensible cost when I need it.

I have lenses I bought in the 1970s. I have two stereo receivers from the early 1970s that I "re-capped" and cleaned out, and they work great playing digital music. One of our twins' 2009 Prius has 178,000 miles on it and runs like new. Do I worry that the HV battery will need replacement before he graduates from college? No. A new battery costs less than a good replacement used car!

Most of the cars we have bought since 2008 were used. My other son found a 2013 Lexus ES300h with 53,000 miles on it last month. New, it cost $45,595 out the door (original sticker was in the manual). Used, he paid $16,495. The paint and interior are flawless. The engine is barely broken in. Everything on it works as if new. The mechanic found no codes, about 60,000 miles left on the brakes, and maintenance records from CARFAX that show by-the-book treatment at the local Lexus dealer. It is known as one of the most reliable cars you can buy, so buying it with no warranty did not bother him. And yes, he started a "warranty savings account" a while back.

You can save a lot of money when you take the emotion out of purchases... Define your needs and buy carefully. Then treat your things with care and they will serve you well. Do you NEED more than a one year warranty on a new lens? I would bet not.