Do Panny Plasma's need an Extended Warranty

[hdforme]

I'm a new owner of a TH42px80u plasma purchased from BB and would rather spend the $200 on the Harmony One remote instead of an extended warranty. I'm only considering doing this because of Panny's quality reputation with Plasma tv's, has anyone had any problems with their Panny Plasma

 

[MDS]

Nothing needs an extended warranty. The warranty is an insurance policy and the insurer is banking on the fact that very few of their insured devices will go bad and actually require a pay off. They definitely have far more information about failure rates vs repair cost than the consumer - in other words they wouldn't offer the insurance if there was a high probability of them having to actually pay it.

Look at it this way, I've been paying car insurance for 25 years. I haven't had an accident since I was 17. That's how the insurance company makes money and stays in business by paying out far less than they take in.

So my answer is: buy the Harmony.

 

[Soundman]

i agree

Agreed. Extended warranties are usually a rip off. Hey, if you make it through the first year with no problems, chances are you'll make it though several more.

 

[hdforme]

Nothing needs an extended warranty. The warranty is an insurance policy and the insurer is banking on the fact that very few of their insured devices will go bad and actually require a pay off. They definitely have far more information about failure rates vs repair cost than the consumer - in other words they wouldn't offer the insurance if there was a high probability of them having to actually pay it.

Look at it this way, I've been paying car insurance for 25 years. I haven't had an accident since I was 17. That's how the insurance company makes money and stays in business by paying out far less than they take in.

So my answer is: buy the Harmony.

Thanks for your explanation about extended warranties and how they work I fully understand what an extended warranty insurance policy is but my basic question is has anyone had issues with their Panny Plasma to justify purchasing the warranty. Thanks

 

[Hi Ho]

Panasonic plasma sets are extremely reliable. The company I work for is a service center and Panasonic plasmas have a less than 1% failure rate counting the ones that we have sold over the past 5+ years.

 

[chadnliz]

Screw the first year, if something is bad from the factory it likely is going to be almost instant or within an ectremely short period of time.

 

[gus6464]

Plus Panasonic 1 year warranty for their plasmas is pretty damn good. They will come to your house and if the set requires to be shipped somewhere to be fixed they will actually give you a loaner plasma at $0 cost to you.

 

[hdforme]

Thanks for your info, I called Panasonic and they also have their own EW that can be purchased anytime within the 1st year warranty period, gives you time to decide instead of making the decision at the time of the purchase.

 

[Mort Corey]

Curious.....how long did the $200 extend the warranty?

Mort

 

[Seth=L]

Curious.....how long did the $200 extend the warranty?

Mort

I believe BB does a 2 year extended warranty.

 

[gus6464]

I believe BB does a 2 year extended warranty.

4 years for the TVs. BB has the cheapest extended warranties when compared to CC and Sears. Sears wanted $400 for a 3 year warranty when I bought my plasma from them.

 

[gus6464]

By the way Panasonic charges $499 for a 3 year extended warranty for 42 and 46 in plasmas. Eeeeeeeeeeekkk!

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Supplies-Accessories/Televisions/Plasma-TV-Accessories/Customer-Care-Plans/model.CCPD423IA_11002_7000000000000005702

 

[sploo]

If it helps, Panasonic in the UK are currently doing a free 5 year warranty on TVs bought in stores (not just their own).

As they're running the warranty themselves, they're obviously not expecting lots of failures of their current TVs, so hopefully that's an indicator they're pretty reliable.

 

[Mort Corey]

If it's two hundred bucks to extend the warranty to a full four years....sounds like quite a bargain. Having to deal with BB customer service might not be quite the best available. I purchased an EW when I bought my PDP but that was six years ago and the technology wasn't quite proven and the cost of the unit was pretty steep. It came in handy for me but I think at todays prices of the displays I would pass.

Mort

 

[gus6464]

We have their extended warranty on my washer and dryer and we have used it for our washer. All in all the machine was down for 2 days after we called since they had to order a part so an in all it was a good experience.

 

[Alex2507]

So my answer is: buy the Harmony.

MDS,

I can't believe you didn't tell the OP about the URC MX-350.
I've seen 1/2 a dozen threads where you reccomended the thing and explained why you prefer them over the Harmony so I finally bought one for $103 from Amozon.

hdforme,

You could do a search for universal remotes and if the arguements for the MX-350 sway you, you can save $100 or so.

 

[MDS]

MDS,

I can't believe you didn't tell the OP about the URC MX-350.
I've seen 1/2 a dozen threads where you reccomended the thing and explained why you prefer them over the Harmony so I finally bought one for $103 from Amozon.

Well you know the OP was torn between the Harmony and an extended warranty. I would never endorse an extended warranty because it is basically a money sink so I said choose the Harmony.

Now if he asked Harmony vs URC, I'd definitely say URC and the MX-350 in particular. I got the newest version of it and for all intents and purposes it is the same as the old version I had except it can work with the narrowband RF basestation (which I also bought this time). I just personally think it is the best bang for the buck.