Sears warranties are complex and can be confusing to prospective buyers. It is important to research them at home before going to the store, because salespeople will pressure you to buy them. The warranties at Sears are called protection agreements.
Significance
Sears associates receive most of their commission from warranties and are they are eager to sell them. When the associate asks you to purchase a warranty, they will call it a master protection agreement (MPA) or a repair protection agreement (RPA).
MPA vs. RPA
MPAs are offered on most products, including home appliances, home electronics, heating and air conditioning systems and floor care equipment. RPAs are offered on limited products. You will not have a choice between an MPA or an RPA when you enter the store--the product you choose will have the option of one or the other. The main differences are that MPAs provide free annual maintenance checks where someone will come you your house and make sure the product is working properly. Having an MPA means you can bring your appliance or electronic item to a service center, but with an RPA, repair associates must come to your house to fix it.
Benefits
Protection agreements cover a wide variety of expensive product repairs, and they also guarantee the replacement of the product if Sears is unable to repair it. Both MPAs and RPAs offer operating instructions and assistance. This could be beneficial, for example, if you buy a complex television or sound system and can't make heads or tails out of the instructions.
Cost
In general, the cost of the protection agreement will be relative to the cost of the product. Protection agreements can range from $30 on some vacuums to $400 on some refrigerators and expensive outdoor equipment. Television agreements are usually at least $100, while agreements on digital cameras are less expensive.
Risks
If you do not purchase the protection agreement, you could face expensive repairs down the line or even have to prematurely replace your new item. On the other hand, you may purchase an expensive agreement without ever needing it, therefore having essentially purchased nothing but peace of mind.
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