Sometimes extended warranties are a joke, like a $4 warranty on a $25 item, but other times they actualy make sense, like a $50 warranty on a $500 item. Kinda like insurance on your car or house. The way I see it, If I couldn't afford to just go out and buy another one, (and dont think I could fix it if it broke), I'll get the warranty. On little things that I could probably fix or just replace, I dont bother with extended warranties, but on something big, you bet I do.
A little over a year ago we were in the market for a new TV with a budget of about $400. We fould lots of nice "name brand" 35-40" TV's in that price range ($375-$425). Then we went online to walmart.com and found a 47" LCD, with some brand I had never heard of (apex), for $350. Add a 3 year warranty for $50, and really, how can you lose (plus free site-to-store shipping)? For the price of a "good" brand 35-40", we got a no-name 47" with a 3 year replace it warranty..... Sounds good to me.... So far its been a great TV, more features than some of the "better" sets we looked at, and good picture quality.
As for crappy electronics, I hear ya... we have terrible luck on DVD players... We have tried cheap $30 units and a name brand $100 unit, none seem to last more than 6months to a year for us..... we know people that have used the same DVD player for 5 years, but we just arent that lucky.... We have resorted to keepimg them unplugged between uses and that seems to help
