What’s being sold with extended warranties – or service agreements – its a seemingly sound combination of protection and peace of mind.  You save yourself from hefty repair costs should your computer break down after the original warranty expires.  But there’s the first pitfall.  If there are problems, they typically show up quickly – while the original warranty is in place.  If you get your purchase up and running smoothly, it will often work trouble-free for many years.  In fact, less than 20 percent of products covered by extended warranties are ever brought back for repairs.  If you want the extra piece of mind, you may already have the means in hand.  Many gold and platinum credit cards will extend the manufacturer’s warranty for up to a year if  you use them to make your purchase.