Weighing cost of home warranties

Few home sellers offer unlimited warranties. One of the increasingly rare examples is L.L. Bean. Not satisfied with an ax you buy there? Return it for replacement, refund or store credit- and no time limit. Unfortunately, most warranties run only a year or two and come with paragraphs of fine-print exclusions. That's why many consumers who buy everything from washing machines to lawn mowers also buy an extended warranty or service contract.

By Mike McClintock

February 23, 2013