IF YOU have purchased electrical goods recently you may be familiar with the situation where the sales assistant spends ages describing the virtues of the product, only to change their tune when you have decided to buy and then warn you how vital it is to take out an extra guarantee/warranty to guard against poor reliability and inevitable costly repairs! Warranties are big business for retailers, and staff often receive bonuses and incentives to persuade customers to buy them.

However, whilst extended warranties can undoubtedly remove the worries associated with unexpected repair bills, surveys show that most domestic appliances are becoming more reliable and that you can pay well over the odds for peace of mind that guarantees bring.

Schemes to cover you against repair costs are called a variety of different names - breakdown insurance, service maintenance contracts and extended warranties. These are usually offered for periods of three to five years, but because most appliances already carry a one year manufacturer's warranty - which may offer free repairs, a replacement or money back - you only in fact get two or four years extra cover.

York Trading Standards urges anyone thinking about taking these warranties to think carefully. It is possible to pay almost as much in premiums as it would cost to repair or even replace the appliance. Generally, you do not have to buy the warranty at the same time as you buy the product, so do not be pressured into buying one on the spot, but shop around to compare the cost and cover of the retailer's warranty against that of the manufacturer or independent provider. Some larger insurers offer multi-appliance breakdown insurance policies which can be more flexible and much better value, but whatever type you decide to buy, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully.

Remember that when you buy a domestic appliance (or any other goods) you are protected by the Sale of Goods Act, regardless of whether the appliance is offered with a warranty or guarantee. The Act says that the goods must be of "satisfactory quality", including being free from defects, and last a reasonable length of time. Many people are surprised to learn that the Sale of Goods Act covers them for up to six years from the date of purchase, although, in practice, the longer you have the goods the harder it will be to get the retailer to pay the repair bill.

- If you require further information on this or any other consumer matter, please contact York Trading Standards. Telephone them on (01904) 551562, call at the reception at 9 St Leonard's Place or email at trading.standards@york.gov.uk. The fax number is (01904) 551590.