Are extended warranties on LCD tv's worth it? I am looking to buy a 46" Sony XBR4. I've never had an lcd tv before or a high def tv. This is definitely a major purchase for me. I usually shy away from extended warranties, but on this item, is it worth it? Is there a good chance something may go wrong? Are extended warranties on LCD tv's worth it? I am looking to buy a 46" Sony XBR4. I've never had an lcd tv before or a high def tv. This is definitely a major purchase for me. I... » Read More Are extended warranties on LCD tv's worth it? I am looking to buy a 46" Sony XBR4. I've never had an lcd tv before or a high def tv. This is definitely a major purchase for me. I usually shy away from extended warranties, but on this item, is it worth it? Is there a good chance something may go wrong? « Show Less
1189173
Sony's website (sonystyle.com) sells 3, 4, and 5 year warranties, if you purchase the extended warranty within 60 days of your purchase. The 5-year plan is $289 and grades down from there about $60 per year (4 year plan $229). Still considering it myself!
1189174
Patrick has it right. I bought a Sony SDR rear projection unit about two years ago. Normally I never buy service contracts/extended warranties, but I figured that any repair might be very expensive, so I opted for the the extended warranty. Long story short, a major component of the tv failed and Sony abandoned the technology altogether. After replacement part was delayed, Circuit City warranty offered to replace my tv with dollar for dollar on the original purchase price. I upgraded to a Sony LCD and will hopefully live happily ever after. Still, I'm awfully glad I had the extended warranty.
680083
I also am not sure about a warranty. Say you pay $299 for a 3 year warranty. What could break on an LCD, the lamp? If so, how much is a replacement and how long for the serviceman to fix it?
1189175
I am mixed about warranties, but with so much stuff now made in China ( not japan) they maybe worth it until there is some manufacturing history.
1189176
If the price is reasonable I'd get the 4 year max extended warranty so you have 5 yrs coverage. My last sony TV (not LCD) worked great 4 yrs & died the 5th. I didn't have the extended warranty so it ended up curbside as junk. One repair call + parts can cost as much or more than the warranty cost for a large investment like this.
1189177
Don't buy a Sony without the extended warranty.This thread began with a question about an extended warranty for the Sony KDL-46XBR4. I purchased this model in Sep '07 without the extended warranty. The LCD is failing and the repair estimate is $2100. Sony was very quick to tell me that it was out of warranty.
509438
Hi, I purchased my LCD for 2100.00, being that i still saved some extra money from the original reduced price I added the protection plan, @ $400 for 5 yrs. The tv is awesome, it comes with its original manufacturers warranty but for a bit more i don't have to worry about accidents for the next 5 years. It covers any non-physical damage.
503175
I purchased the extended warranty, $329 at Best Buy (for 52" 650) for 4 years. The reason I purchased this tv is because my 4 year DLP died, while the tv repair guy was out pronouncing the time of death on my DLP, I asked about LCD repairs. He said you are crazy not to get the warranty, if something, practically anything goes wrong, it is at lease $400-500 to repair it. The final reason I decided to get the warranty is that the technology continues to change and who knows if this stuff will last 3-5 years.
1106736
question 1. is there any better benifit from buying the extended warranty from amazon when you order the LG set or directly from LG themselves?question 2. Some have said you have 6 months and some have said 1 year from the purchase date of the LG TV to purchase the extended warranty. Will either then extend out from the one year in house warranty coming with your Tv purchase to include an additional 5 year warranty rather then the 4 year you get when you purchase the warranty at the same time as the TV??
2140622
Ok, I work in the field of repairing HDTVs under warranty. I'll tell you first hand that most extended warranty companies allow up to 2 months for service and parts. I don't know about you guys, but when my set breaks I want it fixed yesterday, not 60 days from now. I would most definitely recommend buying the extended warranty straight from the manufacturer. It may cost a few more dollars, but they hold their FEs to higher standards that the contractors that get normal ext warranty work. Samsung gets upset if a ticket isn't closed with in 5 days.When it comes to warranties remember this, there is a reason why some are cheaper than others. Ok, I work in the field of repairing HDTVs under warranty. I'll tell you first hand that most extended warranty companies allow up to 2 months for service and parts. I don't know about you guys, but when my set breaks I want it fixed yesterday, not 60 days from now. I would most definitely recommend buying the extended warranty straight from the manufacturer. It may cost a few more dollars, but they hold their FEs to higher standards that the contractors that get normal ext warranty work. Samsung gets upset if a ticket isn't closed with in 5 days.When it comes to warranties... » Read More Ok, I work in the field of repairing HDTVs under warranty. I'll tell you first hand that most extended warranty companies allow up to 2 months for service and parts. I don't know about you guys, but when my set breaks I want it fixed yesterday, not 60 days from now. I would most definitely recommend buying the extended warranty straight from the manufacturer. It may cost a few more dollars, but they hold their FEs to higher standards that the contractors that get normal ext warranty work. Samsung gets upset if a ticket isn't closed with in 5 days.When it comes to warranties remember this, there is a reason why some are cheaper than others. « Show Less
148207
Don't buy a Sony TV. They are completely unreliable, and Sony's warranty is worth NOTHING. I bought this TV, and two years later with VERY little use, and absolute care the TV failed and the cost for repair was more than I paid for the TV. I junked it, and bought a Samsung! Fantastic TV, and complete platform compatibility right out of the box!!!
1348881
I literally just ordered a KDL-W3000 52 inch television 1 hour ago. I did 3 months of research and although I am not sure how I'll fell when I get the television, I can say that I went for the w3000. I looked at some seocnd tier brands first, but quickly moved on to the main brands.... settling in on the Sharp D64 or a Toshiba 167 or the Sony W3000. Of course the Sony was the most expensive of the brands I was looking at. As far as picture and blur: I can not even tell you if I could see any difference between the w3000 and the XBR, so I went for the XBR. I did see one scene in a movie where I saw a slight amount of motion blur, so I am sure it exists.. the quesiton is, "how bad does the blur appear to you and what is it worth for you to minimize the blur" ? For me... the answer was in my order.. I went with the W3000. The price was $2309 no tax, no delivery fee.
1672370
C.. what no parade today? You're a lot of help!? Just kidding. Are you thinking about an extended warranty w/your set? $300 isn't casual money, but I assume an electronic problem would be a financial disaster. Still we're only talking about 4 years in a set life hopefully a good deal longer for the price. Do you already have a blue-ray? thanks dn
16522
I am looking to buy this tv as well. Bestbuy has it for the same price. + tax of course. i hear alot about a buzz. that is why i am thinking best buy might be the way to go just in case of a return.
239603
I've never bought an extended warranty. If the product is that bad, extended warranties would either be very expensive, or not available ... they are NOT going to lose money on them. Figuring the store selling the warranty takes its 50 percent cut, then that leaves only 50 percent for the warranty company (either a 3rd party or the manufacturer) ... and again, they wouldn't do it if they lost money. If you're worried and need the extension to sleep at night, fine. But the companies are betting that they will pay out less in claims than they take in through warranty sales ... and they have their own research to back up their business plan. Certainly some products might prove a good deal to have that extension, but which ones? You'd have to buy a warranty on every product you buy ... and you would most definitely lose out overall. In my case, from cars to VCRs, I would never have made out with an extended warranty. And remember, many credit card companies already double the warranty anyway.
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Guy's,I need a little advice. I know nothing about LCD TV's. I'm moving into a house and ran into a guy that wants to sell a Samsung 40" 4061. The TV has been siting in his bedroom and is hardly used as he watches a bigger set in the living room. The set looks and works great and he's asking $500 for it. I think the set is several years old. Does anyone out there have any advice on buying this?Anything to look for? Is this a good price on a set with prices coming down this Christmas?Thanks for any input,Rudy
591685
I definitely would especially since you will still be under the retail price. Did a lot of research on LGs warranty program and they seem to be on of the best. If it is a family TV it is going to be put to the test. For me, after 5 years, I will probably be ready for a new TV. (Best TV I have ever had btw.)
937913
You are the quality control for all the manufacturers..People are very price sensitive and want to perpetually buy products for the same or less than they cost 5 years ago. Companies that made top drawer products (like the Pioneer Plasmas) were forced out by the Chinese garbage... I still have a 20 year old Sony tube XBR that I am hesitating to replace with a HDTV because of the concerns raised by the poster. A really big problem is that very few of the sets can be repaired and the goons they send to guess at the repairs could be fortune tellers in a prior life. They either tell you it is not a problem or to live with it. I actually had a repair person tell me he couldn't repair the remote control receiver in a high end receiver (part no longer available) which was still under an expensive extended warranty. He said tough luck...
747705
No. They are really selling you a 4 year extended warranty because for the first year the TV is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This is the way all extended warranties seem to be set up and it is very deceptive for them to call it a 5 year warranty when it is actually a 4 year warranty that takes effect after your one year manufacturer's warranty expires. I'm not sure of why warranty companies are allowed to deceive or confuse consumers this way.
1244798
I purchased our Panasonic at Costco for $449. We have found that the TV's become obsolete rather than breaking down. We still have our 10 yr old 32" Sony box type that works perfectly, but we can't give it away because everyone wants the flat screens! I have never really bought into extended warranties and hope I don't kick myself for saying that outloud!
2140623
Thanks, guys, for the info. I'm still kicking it around and have about 3 more weeks to decide. I'll check out Warrantech for sure. BTW, the TV is awesome.
163857
Do not buy a Sony TV and the extended warranty is a waste. Sony contracts these repairs out and we have been fighting for over a month to get the repair completed. Last iteration was Warrantech sent two guys who had never done the repair on this TV, and within 5 minutes of starting the work, they broke two of the components so now the TV doesn't work at all. Seriously ??? Have spent way more time than you can imagine on the phone trying to get this sorted out. Clearly Sony and their contractor Warrantech have NO INTEREST in customer service or in honoring warranty repairs.