Extended Warranty???

LGB used to have a five year fully covered warranty on all of their products.  Since Marlin took over I'm not sure how long the warranty is now.  

There were two items we bought extended warranties for and both were well worth it.  Although I don't typically buy extended warranties.  A 1993 Ford Taurus, we bought used at the end of that year, that ate up way more than the $850.00 we spent and our washer and dryer from sears.  The washer and dryer needed service within the five year period twice that I can recall.  Both times the cost to repair would have been more than the cost of the warranty.  

As I said, I typically do not buy extended warranties.  Especially on automobiles.  Things I purchase from Home Depot and Lowes don't rate the extra cost.  These places are too willing to accept returns on anything.  

Lionel Century Club 1 items had a 5 year warranty. Don't recall what the warranty was on the Century Club 2 items.

Lionels problems are right  out of the box. These are covered by the 1 year warranty.

 Lionel  has been no longer accepting " out of warranty" repairs for some time now because they can barely handle the volume of defective items still under the 1 year warranty. How could they possibly accommodate an extended warranty program?

I have well built Tmcc locos that go beyond 12 years old. All of them were bought after the 1 year warranty period. None of them have ever had a problem and they will most likely outlast any of my recent legacy purchases.

Anything made worth a **** shouldn't need an extended warranty. Lionel already charges enough for items, to the point some have suggested they figure the warranty repair cost into the original purchase price.....hmmm.

I have yet to see the extensive failure complaints about ANY of the other manufacturers products.

MTH has delivered tons of scale engines the last few years and there's been barely a peep. Most are quietly sold out, while those of us buying Lionel cringe at every box opening.

Of course Lionel always says "it's only a small percentage of the entire run that has the failures".

Yeah.....sure...and that small percentage of failures " just so happens" to all end up in the hands of forum members.

Adding insult to injury. Lionel no longer responds to emails ,and I've yet to waste enough hours sitting on hold to reach a customer service person.

I don't believe that an extended warranty can work on today's electronic trains. If you look at P/W trains and those made up until the 80's,  there was a commonality of parts and  all used the exact same electrical systems. Parts were easy to identify and find.  Repairs were easy.  Today's trains use more complex electronic circuit boards that support features that can vary from year to year.  After just a few years the circuit components become obsolete. IMO today's trains are like the appliances that you buy and fall into the category of disposables. In contrast the P/W to 80's era stuff was built to outlast the pyramids.

To my knowledge; Bachmann still offers a lifetime warranty on their Williams engines.  An owner must obtain an RA and pay - if memory serves - a $25 fee.  The owner is also responsible for the shipping cost to Bachmann.  

Of the 30 plus Williams engines in my collection; I believe I’ve only had to send two - possibly three back for warranty work and one of those they simply replaced.

Curt

Extended warranties are for-profit products sold either by manufacturers or stores. As such, the consumer in most cases ends up paying for something with no benefit, other than peace of mind.

In almost all cases, extended warranties use the same principles of an actuarial table. The warranty term is a safe bet for the manufacturer, who knows a product will exceed the term in the vast majority of samples.

But let’s say Lionel did offer a five-year extended warranty. How many people do you know who are only concerned about a locomotive’s performance for only five years?

When the cashier asks me if I'd like to buy an extended warranty, I simply reply "No, it's a wedding gift for someone I don't like".  

Mixed Freight posted:

When the cashier asks me if I'd like to buy an extended warranty, I simply reply "No, it's a wedding gift for someone I don't like".  

I usually ask when they bring the extended warranty up with a " Why, is this not a reliable product that I need insurance on it? Maybe I better look at a different brand." Same for the 100,000 mile warranties on some cars but still want to sell a warranty. Makes one wonder.

I am a warranty guy, all my Automobiles, Kitchen and Laundry appliances, have extended warranties,  and I have profited with the warranties. Yes, I would be a player for an extended warranty on the Lionel engines and accessories. The VisionLine Locomotives Have 2 year warranties, I would gladly pay another $100 for a 5 year comprehensive repair warranty.  On $550 Diesels, $50 for a 5 year warranty.  Also, I think Lionel should offer special programs to their diminishing dealer base on repairing these engines. If you look in the back of our popular magazines, there are very few repair stations.  To me, Service after the sale is More important than the Sale itself.  I hope that some of you fellows that have friends in high places, like Lionel and MTH, Atlas O, Sunset Third Rail, make this suggestion as a priority in 2019. There are No Lionel authorized repair centers within 250 miles from my home, every defective Engine/Locomotive has to be mailed to somewhere...., or I have to drive a long way for repairs....This may sound like a train to know where, but it could become a reality if we all group together with this Idea.....Listen Lionel if your reading....Great Thread, Happy Railroading....

That this question even got asked is indicative of how un-hobby-like this hobby has become. Really off-putting that these things do, or are perceived to, need this sort of care and feeding. No fun there.

You do know that these hyper-trains have become a source of stress, not the other way around.

leapinlarry posted:

 There are No Lionel authorized repair centers within 250 miles from my home, every defective Engine/Locomotive has to be mailed to somewhere...., or I have to drive a long way for repairs....

Does Lionel, MTH, Atlas, etc. Have schooling, text books, etc. to train repair centers, people, in repairing their products? If so, are they up to date in training?

JOSEF, Lionel at one time, several years ago, offered their dealer network for $5K, an intensive training program for repairing their Legacy Locomotives and most all TMCC equipment.  I am sure they offered their dealers comprehensive repair manuals, but, there are few dealers that went for this expensive Legacy Training program.  The way Lionel sells their products to the top ten dealers, and their smaller dealers purchasing from wholesale vendors, has eliminated competitive competition therefore causing the mom and pop stores to slowly disappear. Please do not infer negativity, it’s sincerely Survival of the Fittest....So, this is why I said Yes, to an extended warranty. 

Now, I can understand those that feel, the newer “Hi Tech” trains are a stress maker, however, I enjoy all the new Bells and Whistles, and  I have actually had very good luck with the newer Legacy engines and love the sounds, the crew/tower com, StationSounds cars, Blue Tooth Operation, and will possibly go for the DCS System in the future.  When I was a kid, I loved the post war trains, and as I grew older I ventured into TMCC, and Wow, then Legacy, and it’s so realistic... As you can see, three Rail scale evolved and that’s what keeps my interest in the hobby. Look at Jack Wheelihans O Scale 3 Rail Layout....This Hobby has changed in a real good direction and hopefully will continue on with more innovations....Who knows the future, Change is Constant, Toy Trains are Fun....Happy Railroading 

The big problem with extended warrantees in our hobby is the availability of parts issue. Yea we can pay extra and Lionel, or MTH etc. could promise us the moon, but will the electronic components still be made five years down the road, or even in three years?

Also, if a company is callous enough to produce products that can't be riled upon to work over the long haul what makes us think they will honor their commitment to the insured after the fact.

I found over the years the best protection is the have an honest, smart and dependable repair person to turn to like Gun Runner John, or your local hobby shop.  Yea for a new car a warranty is definitely a plus because their dealer network is established, trained and well stocked, but toy trains? I'm not so sure.      

gg1man posted:

 

I found over the years the best protection is the have an honest, smart and dependable repair person    

 

To me the key word in a repair person as you wrote, "honest". I been having issues with that word and one I at one time highly regarded.

Is the warranty issue the same for a consumer product hat has some kind of usage counter like hours under power or in the case of DCS locos, the mileage reading on the odometer. Shouldn't that open up more warranty options--like (making up numbers for the sake of example) $50 up to 400 hours of use, or $50 for up to 2,500 miles on the odometer? I wonder if MTH has explored any of that?

Don

juniata guy posted:

To my knowledge; Bachmann still offers a lifetime warranty on their Williams engines.  An owner must obtain an RA and pay - if memory serves - a $25 fee.  The owner is also responsible for the shipping cost to Bachmann.  

Of the 30 plus Williams engines in my collection; I believe I’ve only had to send two - possibly three back for warranty work and one of those they simply replaced.

Curt

Bachmann wants $35.00 to send my zinc pest infested Peter Witt trolley back. I told them forget it I’ll sell it for parts and I’m never buying WBB again. Defective materials should be replaced, no ifs ands or but’s.

tom