Third-Party Hardware Maintenance vs Manufacturer’s Warranty: What’s Best For Your Business?
Third-Party Hardware Maintenance vs Manufacturer’s Warranty: What’s Best For Your Business?
We all know when something goes wrong with our business computers, it can be a huge headache. While the manufacturer's warranty would provide you with a one-time fix, you may find that the price for repair is much higher than what you can afford. But what happens if your equipment breaks and requires long term support? Whether to pay out of pocket or have your replacement repaired by an outside vendor, there are many different factors to consider as well as legal ramifications that could come into play.
Let’s take a look at the differences between manufacturer’s warranties and third-party hardware maintenance.
A manufacturer's warranty is an assurance of the quality and condition of the product, specified by the maker. It must be in effect before you purchase a product to be covered. It also covers repair or replacement of defective parts during a certain period, usually within 12 months after you purchase it. If you experience problems with your equipment, call your computer company for help or reference your manual for troubleshooting steps. If you need to get your unit repaired by an authorized dealer, return it to them and they will do it at no charge under the terms of their warranty.
When it comes to third-party hardware maintenance, the services are typically provided by repair shops. In some cases, you may be able to choose between the manufacturer's warranty and third-party maintenance plan. For example, a printer may come with an option to extend its manufacturer's warranty from one to two years, which would bring the total cost of ownership down by half. On the other hand, a third-party plan might include free parts and labor within a year from purchase or an extended 3-year service contract for $135. You can generally do this for all computer equipment such as your desktop computers and laptops as well as peripheral devices like printers and scanners.
When comparing manufacturer’s warranties to third-party hardware maintenance, there is a definite cost difference. A two-year manufacturer's warranty plan can be up to $300 per year. On the other hand, you may pay $135 for a one or three-year plan from a repair shop. Manufacturer’s warranties are good for only one time and cannot be renewed, whereas repair shops will continue to provide you with service over the life of your equipment. This can cost up to several hundred dollars annually depending on your needs, so it is important that you ask questions and do your research before making a final decision.
In addition to the cost, you also need to consider how much control you have over your equipment when it is being repaired. When manufacturer’s warranties expire, you will be responsible for the costs of repair should your machine break down outside of that period. However, third-party service providers can be contacted even when your manufacturer's warranty has expired with a variety of different costs and options. There are always pros and cons to purchasing any type of service contract; before making a final decision, one should consider all their options.
When it comes to managing technology, a company's IT department is normally responsible for any technical issues that arise. However, in smaller to mid-sized businesses, there is no IT department and most employees do not have the necessary knowledge to repair or troubleshoot their equipment. When your company needs a replacement part or computer service, you have to seek outside help. This can often come with high costs and little flexibility in terms of scheduling repairs or replacements. Third-party hardware maintenance can be beneficial when you need repairs done quickly or if you do not have time to wait for the manufacturer’s warranty guidelines on how to handle your equipment problems.
Conclusion
When purchasing third-party maintenance options for your company's technology, it is important to consider all the costs and options prior to making that final decision. Before you purchase a plan, research your options and find the best fit for your business.
How Can We Help?
Hire us today! With over 1/2 century's experience in IT management, we've got you covered! Let us tell you how we can help better today.