| Author |
Message |
    
golden
Citizen
Username: Golden
Post Number: 157
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 10:49 am: | 
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Wondering if anyone has had any experience with American Home Shield. They offer warranty protection on all major appliances, including central air and heating. Cost is $45 per month and $55 per visit.
I would appreciate any feedback. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 9189
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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Ouch. You might want to check out PSEG appliance service. |
fabulouswalls
Citizen
Username: Fabulouswalls
Post Number: 234
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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Take a careful look at the contract and see exactly what is covered and not covered. See if there is a limit to the number of visits or a maximum amount of coverage. Will they cover any appliance regardless of age or condition? How long is the response time? Do you have to pay extra for parts too? Do you want to spend $540.00 per year for the insurance? Can you cancel? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12506
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 12:59 pm: |
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Usually home warranties cover more than just the heating and cooling systems, which is what PSE&G covers, or so I believe. If the cost is worth it or not is an open question. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 9194
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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PSE & G covers most major appliances. You choose what you want to cover & there is a discount for more appliances. That way, newer things can be left off. We covered our old dishwasher, had them out once & then dropped the coverage when it was pronounced DOA.
The other thing I liked about PSE&G is that you can pick up a contract at anytime and drop it at any time. We don't have a contract now because our oldest appliance is 6 years, the rest 4 or less. As they get older, we'll buy it again. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 1:27 pm: |
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I use AHS. It was great in our last house where they replaced our AC and our furnace (We more than broke even.) The house was circa 1950.
Our South Orange house has needed MAJOR plumbing work the AHS capped out at $700 for any work involving plumbing imbedded in concrete. (Who knew it was?) Which meant we paid for our own down-to-the-studs bathroom renovation.
I can't really complain that this company wouldn't pay for a bathroom renovation, they're really only for breakdown.
Be prepared to fight for each major thing. Lot's of phone time.
J.B. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 229
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 9:38 pm: |
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We didn't feel it was worth it, we had a couple of problems and
a) they only will come out weekday business hours, a real pain for us;
b) they often charge you $50 bucks and then say they can't fix it (they referred us to PSEG a couple of times)
All in all, it seemed worth it to us just pay for locally recommended guys with more flexible hours and broader skills. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 665
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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I think AHS policies are good for anyone who's moving into a house where the history/background of the pipes, electrical, and appliances is very sketchy. (It's also nice in these cases if the sellers offer it as part of the sale, but it doesn't always happen.) The previous owners of our home were there for about 25 years, and they did very little upkeep, especially toward the end. Our realtor suggested AHS, and i think it was a good move for us.
After a while, you learn how to work it. They will come out on weekends, but sometimes they'll give you a hassle. The contractors they recommend are supposed to call you within 4 hours, but often you have to call them (get their number before you hang up with AHS.) They tend to send out the same companies to fix things time after time, but if you have an eh experience, request someone different - they'll usually oblige. They're also supposed to fix everything with a comparable model, but very often that's the most no-frills no-name product out there.
With all of that said, in a year we had our water heater replaced, sump pump replaced, several leaky pipes and radiators fixed, dryer parts replaced, refrigerator gasket replaced, and several other things done. Enough that we justified renewing it the next year. When it gets toward the end of your contract and you know your policy is about to expire, you start to walk around your house looking for things that are about to go bust if you uh... shake them a little too hard. ;-) Then you get to a point where they've done just about everything they're willing to cover, or you want to pay a little more for appliances of your choosing, so you're on your own. |
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