LCD TV Extended Warranty

Lee Stewart

It's only a "fact" according to you and anyone that agrees with you.

EW's are like an insurance policy. Some people want them and some people don't. For those that buy them and have to make use of them in the future - as is what happened in that thread I linked - they are probably thanking their lucky stars they bought it.

For those that do have them and haven't had to use them - they represent; "piece of mind."

So my opinion on the matter is . . .

Each person has to make that decision for themselves and be comfortable with it.

For you to make a generalized negative statement like you did just means you are against EW's - to the extreme if you asked me.

Old saying:

"Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it."

tagprod

Bingo!

I only take issue with the statement that they are worthless. Some definitely are worthless. Even the one's that aren't a rip off make money because the odds are nothing is gonna go wrong.

daleb

One could argue either way. Most people hate the fact retailers make so much on them, but that's an emotional argument not a rational one.
To say your odds are it will not fail IS a valid argument not to buy
one.
And of course, you can put money away in your savings for repairs in case you need to fix it down the line. That is a wise alternative.

The argument for and against warranties are kind of like equipment reviews.
Everybody likes reviews that they agree with. Everyone who has to use an extended warranty, is glad they bought one.

It's seems the OP picked the middle road, because Sony warranties are very reasonable, and now he can redeem it to cover the expense of a repair, very likely higher than what the warranty cost. True, it is an exception to what most likely experience.

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cheezz

You hit the nail right on the head. I buy EW for big ticket items only like the two Sony XBRs that I bought but I passed on the HD DVD and BD players. As far as EW for vehicles? I definitely would buy them. Past experiences tell me so.

cheezz

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tagprod

I worked for an electronics retailer my first job out of college and on many models the only money we made was on service contracts. I worked at Sears during college and it was the same way. I agree that if it helps the consumer - why should they care how much profit the company made? If it gives you piece of mind then by all means buy it. I think it's unneccessary for the overwhelming majority of people and an anecdotal occurrence of one person that it paid off for doesn't change my mind. Now for open box stuff - I'm a little more open to the idea in some cases.

Lee Stewart

Well that thread just came out and it was handy to prove a point. Believe me - after almost 2 years here - it is not alone - not at all.

Again - it's a personal preference. If you can afford a total loss on the product as soon as the MAN's warranty expires - then save yourself some money.

If you don't feel comfortable with that - then explore an extended warranty.

Usually mechanical things go before electronic things - been my experience.

Vader1025

Well, if you don't use it, of course it's a waste.

That's why make sure it's a "performance guarantee."

If it doesn't look "brand new" in say, 3 years time, they will get it back to "brand new" condition or replace it.

Circuit City's is the best in the business for this, but I don't know what problems you'd have using it now they are in bankruptcy.
The way their plan works is, if it can't be fixed-which is usually the case for HD set-they give you full in-store credit for what you paid for it.

I would have customers that bought a Sony XBR, 3 years prior, use it to get a new XBR that was a hell of a lot bigger and maybe a home theater system.

Best Buy calls theirs the same thing but it's kind of a scam. They pick out a product that they deem "equivalent" and you get that towards the purchase price of a new set.

I just used it and upgraded from a 37" 720p set to a 1080p 42" set for $60.

Not bad but I still lost $75 from what I originally paid for the set.

Basically, extending the warranties can and usually are a waste but if you get something that guarantees "day one performance" anyone in their right mind should either get the TV serviced towards the end of their contract or, if they can't, get it replaced.

Vader1025

That's the problem people have. They wait for something to "go wrong" when they should be getting it serviced as soon as it "dims" a little or you start having more "persistence image" problems.

Those are a FACT that WILL happen.

Don't be stupid and get something just in case it "goes wrong" get something that make sure it "stays right."

I'm sure CC and BB are not the only ones that guarantee performance.

tagprod

how do you prove it's dimmer than it was when it was brand new? I'm not denying it dims, I'm just saying.... CC and best buy are both facing some tough economic times.

Vader1025

Well, from my experience, they have to prove it didn't.

I was a manager of Circuit City for 5 years and left when they went the non-professional/non-commission route.

In that time, it was mainly big screens this happened with but all a customer would say is "the TV is not as bright."
If there was an issue (and it only happened 2 times) they brought the TV and set it side by side to one on the floor.

In the case of big screens, they just replaced all the lamps.

With my LCD, Best Buy was going to replace the front panel but the cost was too much so they replaced the TV.

They know word of mouth can sink/swim them.

Both have hard times but with Circuit at least, they are underwritten by someone else. No idea about Best Buy.

No matter, as hurting as they are, they need to sell these plans.

Even if everyone here bought them and got the repairs/replacement I mentioned it would still be a small percentage of their sales.

Eeyore

For what it's worth, I bought the 4 year ext. warranty with my Sony 57" Grand Wega. Year 3 a circuit board went out, more than paying the cost of the warranty. Year 4 the bulb went out. The reason I purchased the warranty was replacing the bulb would cost as much as the warranty and I knew that would be a necessity at some time within those 4 years.

I think Sony puts out a decent product but with the cost of today's repairs it's certainly a difficult decision.

The LCD panels don't have a bulb to replace which makes this an even more difficult decision on the Sony 40" I just purchased. With my Grand Wega it was an in-home warranty. From what I read on the Sony site they say:

This can be an expensive caveat when dealing with a large panel television. Does anybody know if this holds true for these or is there an exception involved for the televisions?

I am really interested to know.

Thanks for everyone's input here. It is a more pertinent subject than some members think.

One final thought: Most credit card companies (Gold & Platinum) may automatically double the manufacturer's warranty (VISA and I think Discover, among others...bue check your own for verification). Also check with VISA as I have been told they can have some very competitive warranties available.

iserum

CC and BB warranty are most expensive, MACK and CPS are other reasonable choices, new HDTV sets are not reliable (3 years or more, there is no data to support the reliability after three years use) in my opinion, so EW is worth if it not that expensive like $125 to $150 for three years on $1500 TV. EW is a must for Tier 2 brands, their failure rate are much higher (no offense to any one but it is a fact), i have many failures on my TVs in last 5 years and always saved by EW, i did not bought EW for my SONY though, i forgot to buy it before the manufacturer warranty expired (i would have bough it as it was only $80 for three years). SONY replace defective TV with their choice if same TV is not available, at BB or CC on can upgrade by paying more money on top of what amount they give you.

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gwl

I bought it for my panny pt47x54, knowing that there are convergence problems with CRT's. I went ahead with a 5 year E.W. Called them once so far and will call them again in a few months for a tune up. With the LCD's, I probably won't get one. With the Panny and my PS3 are only two times I extended the warranties.

Gladius

Which EW company did you use? And how is your experience so far?

gwl

I bought my TV from a local employee owned store chain that have few stores in the Los Angeles area. They use their own field techs. to service the merchandise that they sell. I have no problems with them but I only used them once. Even the service tech suggested that I should call them before my warranty expires.