To add Sprint TEP or not

[AZTECHKA]

Originally Posted by stomicron

If TEP were free, then everyone would have it. And if TEP cost $100/month, then no one would get it. Right? So it's better to put emotion aside and just look at the numbers as you did, OP.

As you mentioned, the warranty covers most of the problems people have with phones in the first year. Most credit cards will give you additional protection for 30-90 days or so against theft, damage, etc. They will also extend your warranty for a second year.

With all of these protections in place I find it difficult to justify TEP. Yes, if you bought it tomorrow and your phone was stolen next week, it would seem like buying TEP was a great idea. But the majority of people with TEP will pay premiums for years and years that will exceed, by far, the value of what they get in return on the one or two claims they may file in that span. Especially considering the high deductible.

Ask the average TEP user how much they've paid over their (not the phone's) lifetime an how many claims they've filed. Most people could do themselves a favor by just saving the money. Not to mention that there are cheaper warranty options out there if you're hellbent on getting one.

Remember, the question isn't "Do I want my phone fixed if it breaks?"

It's "Does it make financial sense to spend $84/year and $100/claim compared to self-insuring?"

Emotions aside... you are assuming we all have 800 credit scores and use our 0% interest credit cards to buy our phones and/or promptly pay our credit card bill as soon as it hits the mailbox so as to avoid interest charges. If I had put 400.00 on my credit card I would be paying the phone off for the duration of my contract.
I saved money and sold some stuff on ebay in order to come up with th 400 bucks up front. (or is it 450?). I carry insurance cuz I don't want to deal with it if it gets stolen or lost. I am not absent minded. However I have lost things in my lifetime. I assume you have too.
That is the beauty of ANYTHING that is OFFERED... You can choose to or not to get it.
I choose to.... You don't.
There's no convincing the opposite camp unless someone is making a mistake and realizes he should or shouldn't based on these threads. That's why we share and post our experiences. Not to be called on it or told that we should or shouldn't.
Just my take on things Ameirca... What's yours.
lol.
p.