Nowadays, when you buy an appliance, you are almost always offered an extended warranty. What is this and is it really worthwhile?

Legal guarantee and commercial guarantee

When it comes to household appliances (and high-tech equipment), it is important to distinguish between the guarantee of conformity, which is a legal obligation, and the commercial guarantee, which is freely offered by sellers. The former covers you for two years against breakdowns, hidden defects, etc. During the first six months, you don't have to prove anything to get your money back, replace your appliance or ask for it to be repaired; all you have to do is report the defect. In addition to this guarantee of conformity, sellers offer a commercial guarantee, which extends to five years. Please note that this is not a "five-year guarantee", as it is often presented, but a three-year guarantee extension. This commercial guarantee will cost you between 10 and 20 % of the price of the device.

The usefulness of the extended warranty

Before responding to the siren call of extended warranties, you should know that only 3 % of breakdowns on household appliances occur between two and five years after purchase. Some, however, are more affected than others. For example, washing machines and tumble dryers are more likely to break down early than freezers, refrigerators and cookers. An additional guarantee will therefore be more interesting for the first mentioned. But here again, another criterion comes into play: the quality of the appliances. If you opt for a low-end appliance, an extended warranty may be of interest, as well as if you opt for a high-end appliance, due to the increased number of electronic components.

Beware of guarantees... of the guarantee

Even if you decide to take out a commercial warranty, you will need to read the contract carefully, and if possible between the lines. Are wearing parts covered (very unlikely)? Under what conditions does the repairer come to you? Will you be able to benefit from a replacement appliance and if so how? All these questions must be answered so that you can sign with full knowledge of the facts. If you have any further questions, you can contact the Luxembourg consumers' union (ULC).