On Fri, 21 Oct 2005 16:32:34 +0100, "mark blackall"
wrote:

I guess this is an example of the retailer 'buying out' the warranties on
new machines.

I think Amstrad pioneered this in the late eighties/early nineties.

Amstrad would sell product to retailers at vastly reduced prices on
the understanding that retailers handled all servicing and repairs.

sponix