Still going extended warranties on HDTVs?

[Eric Z]

Are people still going the extended warranty route with HDTVs? I've bought plenty of electronics and never even needed to use any type of warranty. I know HDTV technology hasn't been around forever so still a good idea to drop a couple hundred extra?

Fyi, my local dealer charges about $280 for 4 year plan- everything included (in house repair, replacement if needed, even one pixel out on LCDs, wear and tear, etc).

Thanks!
ez

[superpanavision70mm]

Are people still going the extended warranty route with HDTVs? I've bought plenty of electronics and never even needed to use any type of warranty. I know HDTV technology hasn't been around forever so still a good idea to drop a couple hundred extra?

Fyi, my local dealer charges about $280 for 4 year plan- everything included (in house repair, replacement if needed, even one pixel out on LCDs, wear and tear, etc).

Thanks!
ez

Heck yeah. I ask myself....is 4 years peace of mind on my TV worth $280? Absolutely. Some might feel different, but I would absolutely go that route. It's better to never even have to use it and know that you had the coverage than to kick yourself for not getting it and being SOL.

[L.J.]

I'm the type of person who gets the extended on most of my purchases. My 56" RP HD JVC went out after about 2 years so the in home extended paid for itself. I also got a 5 year with my 60" Sony that I just got this year that includes bulb replacement and all that good stuff.

[Eric Z]

i see your points- thanks! i do like the peace of mind- just imagine if i didn't go with it and then something happens- man, would i be kicking myself!

i double checked on the stores website and the price is $249 for 4 years- is that comparable to warranties from other places? just wondering.

[L.J.]

i see your points- thanks! i do like the peace of mind- just imagine if i didn't go with it and then something happens- man, would i be kicking myself!

i double checked on the stores website and the price is $249 for 4 years- is that comparable to warranties from other places? just wondering.

Yeah that sounds about right. Most places I looked at was very close in price for warranties.

[pixelthis]

i see your points- thanks! i do like the peace of mind- just imagine if i didn't go with it and then something happens- man, would i be kicking myself!

i double checked on the stores website and the price is $249 for 4 years- is that comparable to warranties from other places? just wondering.

"extended warrenties" are the biggest ripoff in the business.
There is a reason that most warrenties are 90 days, if something is going to break it will usually be in the first 90 days, this is a fact.
Add in that you are covered for parts for a year and the "extended warrenty" is really just a placebo playing to a buyers insecurities.
A poster above said that his "extended warrenty" paid for itself when his deal broke after two years.
TWO YEARS!
Take a chance and skip the warrenty, spend the extra on quality, that way you wont need to worry about it

[PapoHT]

Get a card, like AMEX that'll double the manufacturer's warranty... one year will become two.. and if it breaks it'll prob. be easier to go through your card company.... that'll be plenty for stuff under 2000....

i would think about getting one though, if i were to buy like a 5000 set....

But even warranties can be negotiated down... or shop for one online...

[bobsticks]

"extended warrenties" are the biggest ripoff in the business.
There is a reason that most warrenties are 90 days, if something is going to break it will usually be in the first 90 days, this is a fact.
Add in that you are covered for parts for a year and the "extended warrenty" is really just a placebo playing to a buyers insecurities.
A poster above said that his "extended warrenty" paid for itself when his deal broke after two years.
TWO YEARS!
Take a chance and skip the warrenty, spend the extra on quality, that way you wont need to worry about it

I can see this applying to items of lesser mechanical complexity. I can't imagine buying a warranty on speakers and any amp that is worth your time should have a high level of customer service associated with the company.

That said, if we're talkin' laptop or big TV I'm probably looking at some kind of warranty. I prefer in-store just because I can place a face with the responsibility of taking care of things over the potential arguments with unknown, unseen Indians or Pakistanis.

Remember that Samsung P568somethihn'somethin' pedestal DLP? Very cool design and lured alot of folks in early. My buddy snapped up one before the initial reports of faulty chips and bad bulbs came out. He's pretty happy with the 50 inch Fujitsu for which he negotiated upon return within the extended warranty period.

[L.J.]

"extended warrenties" are the biggest ripoff in the business.
There is a reason that most warrenties are 90 days, if something is going to break it will usually be in the first 90 days, this is a fact.
Add in that you are covered for parts for a year and the "extended warrenty" is really just a placebo playing to a buyers insecurities.
A poster above said that his "extended warrenty" paid for itself when his deal broke after two years.
TWO YEARS!
Take a chance and skip the warrenty, spend the extra on quality, that way you wont need to worry about it

So, what's your point? I asked the service tech how much the cost would be if I didn't have the warranty and was told around $400. My extended was $249 or something like that. It paid for itself. If I would have never used it, big deal! It's only a couple hundred bucks.

"Spend the extra on quality"? What the hell are you talking about? Were talking a couple hundred bucks for extended warranty for a $1700 display. Skipping the warranty and dropping an additional $249 on some other brand would have took me to a new level of quality?

[PeruvianSkies]

So, what's your point? I asked the service tech how much the cost would be if I didn't have the warranty and was told around $400. My extended was $249 or something like that. It paid for itself. If I would have never used it, big deal! It's only a couple hundred bucks.

"Spend the extra on quality"? What the hell are you talking about? Were talking a couple hundred bucks for extended warranty for a $1700 display. Skipping the warranty and dropping an additional $249 on some other brand would have took me to a new level of quality?

Exactly!!!

[PeruvianSkies]

I can see this applying to items of lesser mechanical complexity. I can't imagine buying a warranty on speakers and any amp that is worth your time should have a high level of customer service associated with the company.

That said, if we're talkin' laptop or big TV I'm probably looking at some kind of warranty. I prefer in-store just because I can place a face with the responsibility of taking care of things over the potential arguments with unknown, unseen Indians or Pakistanis.

Remember that Samsung P568somethihn'somethin' pedestal DLP? Very cool design and lured alot of folks in early. My buddy snapped up one before the initial reports of faulty chips and bad bulbs came out. He's pretty happy with the 50 inch Fujitsu for which he negotiated upon return within the extended warranty period.

Also Exactly!!!

[pixelthis]

So, what's your point? I asked the service tech how much the cost would be if I didn't have the warranty and was told around $400. My extended was $249 or something like that. It paid for itself. If I would have never used it, big deal! It's only a couple hundred bucks.

"Spend the extra on quality"? What the hell are you talking about? Were talking a couple hundred bucks for extended warranty for a $1700 display. Skipping the warranty and dropping an additional $249 on some other brand would have took me to a new level of quality?

ACTUALLY , yes.
Spend the money on something you already have, its your dime, but I have NEVER
seen anybody advocate these warranties. They have become a major source of income for a reason.
Look at it this way, if they were shelling out hugh sums on repairs, do you think they would be offering these warranties?
TRUTH is they pay out a fraction of what they get on premiums, its the closest thing to having a printing press in your basement.
I have known people who have spent several thousands of dollars on these warranties and never used one, think of the gear they could have bought.
I buy carefully, and in 40 years or so have had about five breakdowns, most minor.
And most in the first 90 days. (three were toshiba)