Sky+ Warranty Extension

[Feathers]

This is pretty much wildly off-topic for most things we discuss here but I was intrigued by the maths of it so I reproduce it for posterity.

We got our Sky+ system (Satellite TV and DVR) just about a year ago so the manufacturers warranty is about to expire. As a result, we got a letter last week offering extended insurance at a cost of £99 for the year.

Nothing unnusual in that except for the statistic quoted at the bottom that 850,000 Sky subscribers took up this insurance annually. By my maths, that's approaching £85,000,000 in premiums in a year! (OK, £84,150,000).

I guess they can afford to make a few callouts!


(Actually, I'd quite like to know how many they make and what it costs them per annum just to see how the premiums paid stack up against the costs incurred.)

[Bromptonboy]

Yes, those extended warranties are big business everywhere.  Sounds like everyone is putting Mr. Sky's kids through college..  ;)

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I avoid extended warranties anymore.  If the thing is going to break, it is usually within its standard warranty.  It rarely breaks within an extended warranty I've found.

King

[Feathers]

Yes, those extended warranties are big business everywhere.  Sounds like everyone is putting Mr. Sky's kids through college..  ;)

I'd have though Rupert Murdoch could afford to buy as many colleges as he wanted without this sort of revenue!

I avoid extended warranties anymore.  If the thing is going to break, it is usually within its standard warranty.  It rarely breaks within an extended warranty I've found.

King

True...except for Samsung flat screen TVs apparently. They blow just after the warranty normally. (Underrated capacitors on the power supply board)

[Dangelus]

I wouldn't bother with the warranty personally. Is it an HD or SD box? If it isn't HD then you could pick up a second box off eBay for half that price if you needed to.

[Feathers]

No, not going to bother personally. I was just staggered at the number of people who seemingly have!

(FWIW, it's an SD box and if it did break I suspect I could upgrade to a free HD+ box from Sky if I wanted to at the moment)