Extended warranty options for a fridge? Also brand suggestions?

[cheapass]

OK I know generally extended warranties are a horrible investment. But our rationale with buying one for our fridge 3 years ago was that they don't make fridges like they used to and many of them got horrible reviews ("fridge died after 18 months") etc.

Anyway we're glad we got the warranty because over the last couple years this PIECE OF SHIT LG Fridge has had many issues. We've had probably 10 service calls and the last 3 were all for cooling issues (evaporator or compressor). Now that we've had 3 of the same issue they (Home Depot/Asurion) are going to pay us out for our original cost of the fridge.

We will be getting another extended warranty. Feel free to facepunch. I found the process for Home Depot/Asurion to be a total pain in the ass. Are there any "better" warranties available from someone other than the retailer?

Also if you have any input on reliable brands I'm all ears. I've heard good things about Kenmore. We will not be getting an LG again after this most recent experience and every Samsung model has a ton of shitty reviews. 

[Dave1442397]

We've had a Samsung for six years with no issues.

As for warranties, Costco will give you up to four years for free - https://www.costco.com/concierge-two-plus-two-warranty.html?ddkey=http:CatalogSearch

They also have a good extended warranty by Square Trade - https://www.costco.com/SquareTrade-3-Years-(For-Major-Appliances-Under-%241000).product.100280696.html

[inline five]

GE and the most simplistic one you can find.

I bought ours at a scratch n dent place. It was $400, the handles were stolen off of it they cost me $170!!! But the fridge was a great deal even for $570 and we've had it nine years.

[Valhalla]

I usually never buy extended warranties, but I did buy an extended warranty for the fridge and it paid out more than the cost.

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

I strongly suggest that you

AVOID
MAYTAG!!!

Since bought new three years ago, the number of things that have broken (including the DOOR FALLING OFF!!!) is too high to count!

[paddedhat]

I bought a $20 Square Trade warranty with a dehumiifier that I bought from Amazon. The unit, delivered to my door W/ warranty was cheaper than buying local. I left the thing in a house we sold last September.  It died recently. The new homeowner takes the email printout I left from Square trade, and gives them a call. They quickly transfer the policy to her name, email me a copy of the transaction, and replace the unit. I was impressed. As for warranties, I almost never buy them, but I wouldn't think of buying another dehumidifier without one. I bought several a year when I was building new homes, and they are a stunningly unreliable product overall, regardless of brand. Having spent tens of thousands for appliances since the mid-2000s, the one thing I'm sure of is that LG is a hard no, and Fridgidaire is pretty shaky too. Current fridge is a Samsung and seems to be a good one.

[WhiteTrashCash]

Extended warranties are usually a waste of money, but if you purchase your appliance with an AMEX or Discover card, you will get free warranty extension of one year beyond the manufacturer's warranty. It costs nothing if you pay your card in full and might give you a little peace of mind for at least an extra year.

[BTDretire]

 I have a 22 year old Kenmore Side by Side that is still running strong.
 Had to reinstall a pin the fell out in the ice maker, twice since we owned it.
The second time I secured it so it can't fall out. About 3 years ago I had to
replace the heating unit in the defroster. Google, Youtube, and Amazon are great!
 I had to adjust the icemaker water level one time, it would drip out and make a
big ice ball in the tray.
 Over 22 years, that's not much, I have cleaned the condensor coils several times over the years.
 I suspect at this age it is not as efficient as it once was, but I'll probably hang on to it until
it has a major issue.

[Zamboni]

Check out consumer reports if you are buying a new appliance. Your local public library likely has a subscription.

I bought my current fridge about 6 years ago for very little ($150? $100? I can't even remember) from a guy on Craigslist who had it in his garage. He did not offer me an extended warranty, but he did load it in my minivan. I also bought a used clothes washer and dryer from neighbors that year. Again, I was just gambling my money away I guess. Since then I have bought a new dishwasher and a new clothes dryer using the Consumer Reports method. No extended warranty, no problems with either.

I can't even be bothered trying to make someone honor a warranty on something as piddly as an appliance. More hassle than it is worth. MMM shares this life philosophy:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2017/04/25/there-are-no-guarantees/

[Roots&Wings]

Check your credit card benefits too. Extended appliance warranty was one of the free benefits on my Chase card, so purchased appliances (Whirlpool fridge) with it.

[paddedhat]

Check out consumer reports if you are buying a new appliance. Your local public library likely has a subscription.

I bought my current fridge about 6 years ago for very little ($150? $100? I can't even remember) from a guy on Craigslist who had it in his garage. He did not offer me an extended warranty, but he did load it in my minivan. I also bought a used clothes washer and dryer from neighbors that year. Again, I was just gambling my money away I guess. Since then I have bought a new dishwasher and a new clothes dryer using the Consumer Reports method. No extended warranty, no problems with either.

I can't even be bothered trying to make someone honor a warranty on something as piddly as an appliance. More hassle than it is worth. MMM shares this life philosophy:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2017/04/25/there-are-no-guarantees/

Sorry, but this makes little sense.  Appliances are becoming less reliable as they are built in third world countries, to rigid price points, and are loaded with electronics. It's nothing to have a fairly new major appliance in need of a  $400-600 repair, within the original warranty period, typically because it needs a new control board, touch screen, or ECU, and two service calls, to address the problem.  If you "can't even be bothered trying to make someone honor a warranty on something as piddly as an appliance"  you certainly have a different viewpoint that most folks who are careful shepherds of their hard earned money.

As for how this apply to the MMM article you link, it's simple, it has nothing to do with what he is conveying. As a homebuilder, I dealt with lots of appliance issues, frequently as a service to a customer who would find it incredibly inconvenient to deal with problems with their new vacation home, hours from where they are conducting their day to day life. One of the reasons I did it was because it was about as far from "trying to make somebody honor" a contract as it gets. A five mine phone call with the manufacturer's or sellers 800# including an appointment made with a local, factory authorized tech. and your done. Be there to open the door for the guy, and get hundreds of dollars of repairs done with no money exchanged, no hassles, no drama. For something as unreliable and poorly built as a typical
 digital dishwasher, fridge, range etc.... a low cost, or free (via credit card ) extended warranty is well worth it.