To extend or not to extend . . .

[LOUMFSG]

. . . that is the question.

I am buying a Panasonic TH-50PHD7UY 50" plasma for about $3,700 shipped from an authorized Panasonic dealer. The TV will have Panasonic's 1-year parts and labor warranty. I have the option to add a GE/Zurich 2-year warranty extension (begins after the 1-year manufacturer warranty ends) for $375, or a GE/Zurich 4-year warranty extension for $595. Here is the description:

Backed by GE-Zurich Warranty Management, Inc.
In-home service - They'll come and pick up your product if it is still under warrantee
Unlimited Service Calls
Nationwide Servicer Network
Surge Protection
No Lemon Policy
Replacement contract available on certain products
Toll Free 800 Number
Bilingual Customer Service

Does anyone have any general advice about extended warranties, and whether or not they are worth it on a purchase of this magnitude. Does anyone have any particular experience with GE/Zurich, and how are they to deal with?

A second question is whether or not to get the display professionally calibrated by an ISF technician, vs. using software available and trying to calibrate myself.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Spiffyfast]

its a gamble, if you think something may go wrong after a year it may cost you less in the long run if it is covered under warranty, or nothing could go wrong and you wasted your money. On such a large investment it may be worth it to have that extra coverage.

[Mort Corey]

If you make your purchase with one of several credit cards (Amex, and some of the gold bank Visa/Mastercards) there is an automatic doubling of the factory warranty on purchases such a this. $385 for an extra two years is pretty cheap insurance on a big ticket item and GE/Zurich has been around quite a long time. I'd check their list of authorized service people in your area and give one or two a call and ask if #1. will they deal with the warranty people for payment and #2. will they indeed give you in home service. Worth the effort IMO.

Mort

[Red]

Great choice for a plasma. I've had the same model for about 7 months now and could not be happier with the choice. :) My advice is to buy the extended warranty....this is a big ticket item and it is good protection for the money. If you don't ever use it, so what, if you look at it frpm a pure financial perspective, the amount, if amortized over a realistic useful life, will be meaningless.

I calibrated mine using the Avia DVD with very good results, but I am still considering a professional calibration, just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[LOUMFSG]

Great choice for a plasma. I've had the same model for about 7 months now and could not be happier with the choice. :) My advice is to buy the extended warranty....this is a big ticket item and it is good protection for the money. If you don't ever use it, so what, if you look at it frpm a pure financial perspective, the amount, if amortized over a realistic useful life, will be meaningless.

I calibrated mine using the Avia DVD with very good results, but I am still considering a professional calibration, just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Thanks for your advice, Red. What do you think about the term of the extended warranty? Actually, I noticed I had more choices than just the 2- or 4-year extensions. There is a 1-year extension for $225, 2-yr for $375, 3-yr for $475 and 4-yr for $595 (all added to the 1-year manufacturers warranty)? I'm leaning towards the 2-year extension (3-years total coverage) for $375.