extended warranty on flat panel tv

[stl]

What does everyone think about purchasing an extended warranty on a plasma or LCD tv? I normally pass on these, but think it might be a good idea since the technology is fairly new. The only problem is the warranties on these models are pretty expensive. Some are almost 400 bucks. I don't know if there is an Ultimate Electronics in your area but they have a deal where you get half of it back in in store credit if you don't use the warranty. Very appealing because most stores won't offer that. What does everyone think? Also do you think the prices on these will come down over the next few months? Since we are getting to the end of the year and getting close to Christmas. I came across a great deal today on a Sony LCD. I have some money ear marked for a new tv, but apparently not enough. Can i expect to see the same deal or even better over the next couple of months?

 

[Pascal]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

What does everyone think about purchasing an extended warranty on a plasma or LCD tv? I normally pass on these, but think it might be a good idea since the technology is fairly new. The only problem is the warranties on these models are pretty expensive. Some are almost 400 bucks. I don't know if there is an Ultimate Electronics in your area but they have a deal where you get half of it back in in store credit if you don't use the warranty. Very appealing because most stores won't offer that. What does everyone think? Also do you think the prices on these will come down over the next few months? Since we are getting to the end of the year and getting close to Christmas. I came across a great deal today on a Sony LCD. I have some money ear marked for a new tv, but apparently not enough. Can i expect to see the same deal or even better over the next couple of months?

I picked up the latest edition of PCworld mag today and remember reading headline in the consumer watch section that said "LCD glut could mean holiday bargins".

The gist of the write up was that the manufacturers are/have been over producing and shipping these units and that the price should come down some....

What happens - happens......

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

My parents got the warranty on their flat panel TV. It's a Sony, so it's the best, but the warranty is free in home repair/replacement for like 4 years. If it doesn't go out in 4 years they will last a while. There is no repairing one of these TV's. If they break, they give you a new one.

So 400 dollars for a 4000 dollar TV that can't be repaired easily.....yea, it's a good deal IMHO.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I posted what I was advised to do in another topic.
Buy a mid-range unit and take the max extended "in-house" warranty....so I have a total of 5yr coverage.
Don't know how big it is....certainly not small....and total price $1,700 I think, so for every minute it goes past 5yrs is a bonus.....when it stops, who cares....will just repeat the exercise with whatever the latest is then.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[mthieme]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Rule of thumb, warranty should cost no more than 10% of the value per year.
Yes, this is expensive. I've noticed the warranties on LCD & Plasma TVs are very short - most one year. The last tube TV I bought covered the tube itself for 10 years, a lesser period on other components. On thing you need to be aware of is exactly what is covered. The guarantor may require a certain percentage of pixels to be disfunctional before honoring a warranty claim. I like the idea of a warranty buy back. That would be an incentive for me.

The technologies are not new. Both have been around for at least 40 years, although not as consumer goods.

I've been shopping and checking prices, makes models, etc. every other day as I am in the market too. You're one step ahead of me having some funds set aside though. One thing I discovered is that Sony has some (last year) model on sale at their site which you buy directly. They are cheaper than the stores.
Just by virtue of bringing out new models will drive down prices unless you have to have the latest and greatest technology. There's not a significant difference - for me.

 

[JB]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I have had my Sony Grand Wega 55" LCD back projection TV for a bit less than 4 years. I paid about $2700 for it.

I bought a one year extended warranty, about $250, which replaced a failed optics module ($1600). So I bought a 2 year for $425 when that ran out.

So far the 2 year has replaced the lamp ($250) twice. One lamp failed and the next one went dim after about 13 months. It is on about 16 hours a day, so I figure that is about 2 years of normal use, which is the predicted life of the lamp.

I understand that Sony doesn't make this type any more because of reliability concerns. I am very happy with the performance, but not thrilled with the cost of maintenance.

I will renew the warranty when it is time.

 

[dolluper]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Always bargoons around xmas or just after boxing day...ifin you want to buy an LCD see how much the invertor replacement cost is for that model most common problem with them....some cost close to purchase cost ..making them disposable

 

[arboldt]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

For several years now Consumer Reports has recommended against extended warranties for LCD or plasma TVs, but do suggest one for TVs with any mechanical action like DLP and projection TVs.

We rarely get an extended warranty and have never had an issue. Of course, the 2 times we did get an extended warranty they both paid off -- 1976 microwave (when they were still very expensive) and 1987 refrigerator. Haven't gotten one since, nor have we needed one.

We generally keep things a long time -- our TV is only 40% through what we expect to be a 30-year life (and yes, we got a digital converter box).

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I stopped buying extended warranties. I've never received anything from an extended warranty (having said that, the next thing I buy without one won't last). I prefer to keep the 100s of $$$ in my pocket and take my chances.

But, it all comes down to your comfort levels.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

So far the 2 year has replaced the lamp ($250) twice. One lamp failed and the next one went dim after about 13 months. It is on about 16 hours a day, so I figure that is about 2 years of normal use, which is the predicted life of the lamp.

There are after market lamps for these that are approx 1/3 the price and work just as well. Google the part # and you should find them (if you ever need to replace outside of a warranty)

 

[JB]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

There are after market lamps for these that are approx 1/3 the price and work just as well. Google the part # and you should find them (if you ever need to replace outside of a warranty)

Daughter #2 has the same set in a 60" model. It is about a year older than mine. (It was watching a Cowboys game on hers that made me buy mine). She didn't buy an extended warranty.

The lamp failed and she Googled up an aftermarket replacement for about half price. It lasted a month. She then bit the bullet and bought one from Sony that has lasted about 2 years and is still going strong. Her set is on maybe 4 hours a day.

I don't trust aftermarket cheapos. I have other tales of aftermarket stuff that fell waaay short of performing as well as OEM replacement stuff.

I suppose in hindsight I could have paid another $1,000 to $2,500 for a plasma or LCD set, but I can replace a lot of parts or buy a lot of extended warranty for that one or two kilobux.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Not of fan of the extended warranties.

Ever since I worked doing the books for a company selling cell phones, I saw how much of the warranty price stayed in the selling company. About 1/2 went to the firm carrying the warranty. Figured if they could maintain a business on 1/2 the gross sales, there was a substantial reason to not buy them.

Didn't buy one for my 42" rear projection JVC I bought 7-8 years ago. Had the tech in once (right away) as the picture didn't look right. He took the whole front apart and cleaned the screen (no charge). Never had a problem since.

Wondering if I just got a good unit or something.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

The lamp failed and she Googled up an aftermarket replacement for about half price. It lasted a month. She then bit the bullet and bought one from Sony that has lasted about 2 years and is still going strong. Her set is on maybe 4 hours a day.

Thanks JB, good to know. I haven't replaced the lamp on mine yet (21 months old) so I'm glad you mentioned it. I'll stick with the Sony part for sure.

 

[Jerico]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I would recommend getting the warranty. Up until last year I did service calls for a national warranty company. I've replaced several power boards and main boards in LCD's and plazma's both. Even had a couple of them that the entire tv had to be replaced.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I would recommend getting the warranty. Up until last year I did service calls for a national warranty company. I've replaced several power boards and main boards in LCD's and plazma's both. Even had a couple of them that the entire tv had to be replaced.

Do you have any stats that help determine the risk factor of buying vs. not buying extended warranty. You may have replaced several but if several is 30 per technology and there were 30,000 of those units sold that year, I say the failure rates are quite low.

I'm not arguing for or against, but Consumer Reports will give you some better #s to help determine failure rates. Still, you assume the risk, but some are better than others.

 

[gss036]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Pay for it with your Costco/American Express card and American Express doubles the warranty on the product. I have never needed it for a TV, but use it on an Eagle fish finder that went haywire at 14 months w/12 month warranty.

 

[Pony]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Some of you put WAY too much stock in Consumer Reports. There is a lot of good information in there, but you really have to sift through some of it. The reason they advise against it is because in theory you could invest the money that you would have spent on the warranty and come out with enought to replace the unit in time. Really though who would do that? I know I wouldn't.

I always recommend them, and I actually buy what I sell. I have plans on all my TV's and actually had to use them. 2 years ago I bought a 26" Sony. After a year and a half the LCD panel went bad. Without the plan I would have had to buy a whole new unit, but for the $100 the plan cost me the unit was replaced with a brand new model. The plans make sense if you ever have to use one. Its a gamble.....you may or may not use it, but if you need it its well worth the investment.

I work in retail electronics, and deal with this stuff on a day to day basis. If you think that the chances of a problem occurring with an LCD or Plasma are small.......you would be surprised to see how many I send out for repair on a daily basis. This sounds cliche, but you get what you pay for. I rarely see Sony's with a problem, or Samsungs for that matter.

Its the bargain buys that really have the issues......and quite a few of them at that.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

Pay for it with your Costco/American Express card and American Express doubles the warranty on the product. I have never needed it for a TV, but use it on an Eagle fish finder that went haywire at 14 months w/12 month warranty.

Yeah, I really like the warranty coverage Costco adds.

Its a gamble.....you may or may not use it, but if you need it its well worth the investment.

That's my point, and I've gambled more lately and have come out on the winning end so far. (Knock on wood) It depends on your risk/reward comfort with these things.

This sounds cliche, but you get what you pay for. I rarely see Sony's with a problem, or Samsungs for that matter.

Good to hear as I'm sitting in front of my Sony

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: extended warranty on flat panel tv

I rarely ever buy them. The companies have some really smart people crunching the numbers and it's kinda like Vegas, the odds are in their favor. chances are you will never use it, or if you do, it will be for something small, that is less $$$ than you paid for the extended warranty. Now, if you have to use it for something big, they are great, but over the long run, you will be better off not purchasing them.
My $.02
Erik