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Exercise to Flip Class: Should you buy extended warranty for new car, used car, new appliances?

 

Sept. 24, 2025 GPT5 Prompt: give clark howard's advice on whether to buy extended warranties for 1- new cars, 2-used cars, and new appliances. Then provide your opinion on whether the advice is right or wrong

 

Clark Howard’s Advice: What He Says & His Principles

From his podcasts, articles, and interviews, Clark Howard’s stance is fairly consistent:

Context	What Clark Says / His Principle
New Cars	Clark is skeptical of extended warranties; he might permit considering one only under limited circumstances, but strongly prefers sticking with manufacturer coverage and having savings for repairs.
Used Cars	His view is largely similar: extra caution with third-party warranties; only buy if you lack the funds to absorb a breakdown and if the vehicle’s make/model and history justify it; lean toward manufacturer/authorized warranty sources if possible.
Appliances / Electronics / Home Warranties	Clark almost always recommends declining extended warranties on appliances and electronics. He considers them a poor financial decision and says they rarely pay off.

 

Nuanced Critique of His Advice (by GPT)

Clark’s advice is sound in many respects, especially as a general guide for most consumers. But as with all “one-size-fits-most” financial advice, there are caveats. Below is where I agree, where I think he overstates things, and when I’d deviate.

What He’s Right About

1. Warranties often favor the seller, not the buyer
   Many extended warranty / service-contract plans have exclusions, limitations, deductibles, or conditions (e.g. requiring dealer service, geographic restrictions) that make it hard to get certain repairs covered. This undercuts their value. Clark’s warning about loopholes is appropriate.
2. The “expected return” is generally negative
   Statistically, many people never use their extended warranty, or use it only for small repairs that don’t recover the full cost paid. Clark says (in one article) that only 8 cents on every dollar spent is “used on repairs” (i.e. you lose 92 cents). Clark Howard While that figure may be an illustrative or rounded claim, it captures the asymmetry: sellers price in margin, risk, administrative overhead, and they expect many buyers won’t file claims.
3. Self-insurance / emergency fund is a better “warranty”
   If you can afford major repair costs (or build a cushion over time), you skip the premium paid to third parties and retain control. For many durable goods/appliances, this is a sensible approach.
4. Manufacturer warranties are more reliable than third-party ones
   If you were going to get extended protection, Clark is right to prefer the automaker’s extended warranty or authorized extension rather than a disconnected third-party plan. He’s cautious of warranties sold by the dealership or third-party services. WSOC TV+1
5. Avoid overpaying at the point-of-sale under pressure
   Dealers and stores often push warranties as add-ons at checkout when consumers are in “buying mode” — a classic upsell. Clark’s repeated advice to decline the warranty offer (or at least slow down and evaluate) is good consumer protection.

Where More Nuance Is Needed

Home warranties and “protection plans” differ from extended warranties
Some home warranty services (covering systems or appliances faults) might have limited use, but in some markets and with proper contracts they can offer peace of mind, especially in older homes. Clark tends to lump all of these under “never buy them,” which may be too blunt. For example, if you’re buying a home with older HVAC, plumbing, etc., a home warranty may provide value (though still often marginal). Clark does allow that sellers may buy a home warranty to reassure potential buyers. Clark Howard+1

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My (GPT) Bottom Line

• For appliances / electronics / home gadgets, I largely agree with Clark: extended warranties are rarely worth it for the average buyer. They often cost more than what one would expect to pay in repairs, especially given limited likelihood of failure within the extended period and contractual restrictions.
• For new cars, I lean toward a cautious “sometimes, but usually no.” I think it’s reasonable to consider an extended warranty under specific conditions (you plan to use the car far beyond its factory warranty, you drive very aggressively or in rough conditions, the car is known to have expensive repair parts, or your savings are limited). But I would not default to buying one; I would instead estimate repair risk, check reliability ratings, and compare warranty cost vs expected repairs.
• For used cars, I'm more skeptical. Because you already lose some “known good period” of the vehicle, warranties become more expensive relative to risk. If the used car is from a reputable brand with good reliability, and you have enough buffer to absorb small to moderate repairs, skipping the warranty is often prudent. If the seller offers a manufacturer-backed or certified used car program warranty, that’s more trustworthy than generic third-party plans.

GSU CETLOE Book Club for Innovative College Teaching

 

I had a great time on Friday! Looking forward to the October and November meetings. 

“The Trailblazers: GSU Faculty Leaders in AI Teaching Innovation," Sept.17

Looking forward to this... 

For our next panelist spotlight, we would like to introduce you to Perry Binder. Perry is part of a panel of four GSU faculty who will share their real-world experiences, challenges, and strategies for integrating AI ethically and effectively into their teaching practice as a part of our new fall series, AI x AI.

Perry Binder, J.D. is a Clinical Associate Professor of Legal Studies at GSU’s Robinson College of Business. While practicing law in South Florida, he got the teaching bug when he taught part-time at Miami Dade College and Broward College. Perry’s latest book, Innovative College Teaching (2024), has a chapter on “Using AI to Enhance Classroom Activities and Student Projects” and offers teaching tips and insights from a dozen current and former GSU master teachers. The book debuted as an Amazon #1 New Release and #1 Best Seller (Teacher & Student Mentoring) and received the International Book Award (Education & Academic category). Each year from 2016-2022, Perry’s book, 99 Motivators for College Success, was sent to hundreds of rising high school seniors nationwide as part of the Book Award Program at Randolph College in Virginia.

Join us for “The Trailblazers: GSU Faculty Leaders in AI Teaching Innovation” virtually on Wednesday, Sept.17 from noon to 1 p.m.For our next panelist spotlight, we would like to introduce you to Perry Binder.

GPT Prompts for Consumer Law & Advocacy class

 First Prompt: consumer question: My apartment complex had 10 cars broken into 3 months ago and 15 cars this month. no security has been added. If my car is broken into tonight do I have have a good lawsuit against the owners of my apartment complex?

Second prompt:  I cannot afford an attorney -- please put into plain English what I can do now and will I have a good lawsuit

GPT response to second prompt

1. Do you have a strong lawsuit?

Maybe, but it’s not a sure thing.

• The apartment owner only has to take “reasonable steps” to keep the property safe.

• If crimes keep happening and they do nothing (no lights, cameras, patrols, notices), a judge might say they failed their duty.

• But the law does not make landlords automatically responsible every time a tenant’s car gets broken into.

So: you might have a case, but it’s hard to win without proof that management knew about the crime problem and ignored it.

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2. What you can do right now (low cost / no lawyer):

• Write to management in email or letter: Tell them you’re concerned about repeated break-ins and ask what steps they will take (lights, cameras, patrols). Keep a copy. This shows they were on notice.

• Document everything: Save police reports, photos, and any messages you get from neighbors about break-ins.

• File a police report if your car is ever broken into. Keep the report.

• Check your renter’s or auto insurance: Often this is the quickest way to get compensated, even if it feels unfair.

• Legal aid: If you can’t afford a lawyer, look up free tenant legal aid groups or housing legal clinics in your area. They often help with exactly these situations.

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3. Bottom line

If your car is broken into:

• You can try to sue, but you’ll need to show the landlord knew there was a serious problem and didn’t act reasonably.

• It’s not guaranteed money, but documenting now will make your case stronger later.

 

Using GPT-5 in “Study Mode”

 

Using GPT-5 in “Study Mode” (August 25, 2025)  Perry Binder

My Prompt: Let's go into study mode so I can learn about comparative negligence in Georgia tort cases

ChatGPT said: Perfect — let’s switch into Study Mode: Comparative Negligence in Georgia Tort Law.

Here’s how I’ll guide you:

1. Quick Explanation – I’ll give you a clear, digestible overview.
2. Breakdown of Rules – Key points and how Georgia applies them.
3. Practice Questions – I’ll quiz you with hypotheticals (active recall).
4. Review + Clarify – We’ll revisit anything that’s fuzzy.

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1. Quick Explanation

In Georgia, comparative negligence is the rule that a plaintiff can still recover damages in a tort case even if they were partially at fault — but only up to a point.

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence, 50% bar rule:

• If the plaintiff is less than 50% at fault, they can recover damages, but the award is reduced by their percentage of fault.
• If the plaintiff is 50% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery.

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2. Key Points in Georgia

• Statute: O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
• Reduction: Plaintiff’s damages are reduced in proportion to their negligence.
• Bar: At 50% fault or more, plaintiff recovers nothing.
• Jury Role: Typically, juries assign percentages of fault to each party.

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3. Quick Practice Hypothetical

Carla is hit by Dan while crossing the street outside a crosswalk. The jury finds:

• Carla (plaintiff): 30% at fault (jaywalking).
• Dan (defendant): 70% at fault (speeding).
  Damages: $100,000.

👉 Question: How much does Carla recover under Georgia law?

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Do you want to try solving this one, and then I’ll walk through the answer with you?