extended warranty

[Redina]

Has anyone purchased the extended warranty on their machine(s)? Mine is about to lose the 2 year warranty and Melco has advised I buy this new warranty for $100 a month. My tech has been here 2 times in 2 years but I am worried about catastrophic failure. I seem to be the kind of person who has machinery die within days of free replacement expiration.

[signman]

Get the Warranty!
We had a small piece break off in the 'cam follower'
a month after we went to extended warranty...saved us hundreds of dollars in tech travel cost.
Along with the warranty, they may not have told you that it INCLUDES a yearly total overhaul...cleaning, adjusting, tinkering, etc. by the service tech.
Well worth it...you will NOT regret it. There are some components that cost $3-4,000 to replace if damaged...can you afford that much and all the down time while you wait for a service tech to get to you? At your expense?
Roland

[Redina]

Thanks Roland,
I was leaning in that direction and just wanted confirmation that it will be worth the expense. I could use the overhaul, I am sure theyre are adjustments that need to be made.
Redina

[Hugo Torbidoni]

Redina,

There is nothing on the Amaya or the Amaya Xt that comes close to costing $3000 to $4000. I have a customer that needs to replace his X motor and Main Board on his Non XT Amaya (Big Red). The price, including my labor won't even come close to reaching $2000 let alone $3000-$4000.

I'm not saying that you or anyone else shouldn't get an Extended Warranty, I just thought you should base your decision on extending your warranty ,,,,,, or buying another machine for that matter on accurate information.

Hugo Torbidoni
Melco Tech
301-471-3157

[signman]

Hugo...I was only going by what I was told by a tech and someone else in the chat when the extended warranty was brought up around a year or two ago. I think it was the 'needle bar assembly' or something large-not the every day little things that break-but something major.
Considering someone that is running their amaya for their sole source of business income-having 'down time' waiting for a part and scheduling in a service tech 'on their own' can be a long wait-every day down is costing them money. With the extended warranty-things happen a lot faster and you are back up and running faster. The yearly tuneup alone with the minor adjustments, usually 4-5 hours worth of tech time-is well worth the price of the extended warranty and has caught several 'problems ready to hit' so they got fixed.
Would we ever consider buying another machine instead of continuing the warranty? NO-not ever. IF we wanted a second machine, new or used-we would make sure it came with the warranty.
These are awfully expensive machines to turn them into paperweights...
Roland

[Hugo Torbidoni]

Roland,

I don't disagree with you. I'm was simply stating that there aren't any components on the machine that cost that much.

You mentioned the needle bar. Just to take that for an example,it is part of the Needle Case assy.

A complete Needle Case assy which happens to be the most expensive, includes the Thread Feeder assy,Grabber assy,and Thread break assy is still way under the price for components as you stated in your previous post.

Thats all I was pointing out.

Hugo

[Steve]

The only way you can do $4000 of damage to the machine is either drop it off a truck or go to Home Depot and buy a sledge hammer and start beating on it a few times and I don't suggest trying either one. Between my parents old machines and mine, I can't ever remember paying more than a couple hundred dollars for parts and labor to repair it.

[Robyn]

Speaking of Warranties:

Am I the only one that this happened to...

I traded in my old Amaya for the new XT because according to my sales rep, it would be cheaper for me to buy an XT with a 5 year warranty than to pay for the extended warranty on my old machine for 5 years.

I was told that the 5 year warranty included parts and labor 100% and the travel fee for the tech in my area is $25 - $35.

Now I am being told from Melco that my 5 year warranty really isn't a 5 year warranty and it's about to expire!! And, if I need a service call, the trip charge is not $35 --- it's more like $150.

Did I miss something here? What were you told about your XT warranty? Feedback appreciated!


That old saying is starting to make sense to me now ---

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!"

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

I understand Home Cheepo is closing 15 stores around the country. I'll bet you could buy that sledge hammer at a discounted price at one of these stores.
Seriously folks, (something to think about)
As a tech, when I get a call from Melco or from a customer out of warranty, I give each equal priority as to prompt service with minimal down time as possible. So as to you having to wait for a service call when your machine needs service, that will depend on the tech in your area.
Worse case scenario(for one machine): Tech takes 8 hours to determine the problem and part needs to be ordered. (If tech takes over 8 hours to determine problem, get a new tech!)
Part is then overnighted from Melco and Tech takes another 8 hours to replace part.
Most techs charge between $60 and $100 per hour for labor. I charge $85 so at 2 days labor it would be $1360. However, in 7 years of fixing Amayas (and other machines too), the highest amount I've ever collected from a customer for labor was $720 in one day and that was for a 4-head machine that looked like it was dragged up from the bottom of the ocean.
The main circuit board and needlecase are somewhere around $1500 each. Your problem is usually electrical or mechanical - almost never both in these areas so you wouldn't consider $3000 in parts. Also know that some techs are good enough to repair needlecases in the field although not all.
I've also heard there's a deductible that goes with a service call. You would want to double check on this. And also know what's covered and not covered by the warranty. I don't believe it's bumper to bumper.
When we bought our first Amaya, a salesman told us to put $100 into a savings account per month for when the machine drops out of warranty.
Although, just as with any insurance, for peace of mind - whatever the cost - buy the extended warranty maintenance contract.

Ed

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

My XT has a 5 year warranty. I haven't had it challenged yet, because it's only 1+ years old, but my tech was surprised when I told him about it.

[Rod or Sharon]

All,

What most most folks are leaving out of the picture is that the 5 year plan is a "limited warranty." This is pretty much like the warranty on an automobile these days.....some of the machine is covered for the full 5 years while other parts of the machine is covered for a shorter period of time....just like the auto manufactuers do...

But....for the "FIRST" 90 days after purchase of the machine(s) , travel AND parts AND labor for any defective issues will be covered 100%. After the 90 days is over, then the customer will be responsible for travel costs for warranty work. The best thing to do if you have any questions, is contact Melco and have them explain "exactly" what is covered and how the 5 year plan works....

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[The Embroidery Authority - OLD]

Guys,
The warranty statement is clear and consise.
The 5 year warranty covers Primary Drive Train components (on new machinery). This consists of things like bearings, shafts, pulleys, belts, & rails.
Do not have the impression that the entire machine is covered for five years unless you're married to a tech. You must put some money aside on a regular basis for that inevidible break down. These machines are designed to wear with usage and more often than not, repairs are due to operator error. Just my experience.
I feel it's better to know in advance than to go on thinking the warranty is bumper to bumper.
Best of Luck,
Ed

[Mr. Sew & Sew]

The Embroidery Authority writes - "Do not have the impression that the entire machine is covered for five years unless you're married to a tech."

Ed - are you casting for a marriage proposal???

Tom