"Insurance" for DLP TV

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

The extended service plans cover the cost of replacement bulb assemblies
(currently $299/piece). According to the local joints here if you buy the
plan and have not used a bulb by the end of three years they will give you
one bulb.

Merry Christmas,

Bob K.


"Roger" <nospam@world.com> wrote in message
news:np4zd.1108$NH2.138354@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Hi all,
> A relative bought a Mitsubishi DLP TV a week ago at Tweeter. Model 52725.
> (52" HDTV) They recommended, and she did buy, a $500 insurance of some
kind
> for the DLP mechanism that gives, apparently, several more years of DLP
use
> in terms of replacement of an expensive part or something.
> Does anyone know whether this was a sales gimmick or was she right in
> getting this?
> Roger
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Roger wrote:
> Hi all,
> A relative bought a Mitsubishi DLP TV a week ago at Tweeter. Model 52725.
> (52" HDTV) They recommended, and she did buy, a $500 insurance of some kind
> for the DLP mechanism that gives, apparently, several more years of DLP use
> in terms of replacement of an expensive part or something.
> Does anyone know whether this was a sales gimmick or was she right in
> getting this?

The extended warranty the largest profit margin item that an electronics
store can sell. It's a good deal for the store and a bad deal for the
consumer. Some people like to buy them for the "peace of mind", but as
a pure economic decision, it's a bad one.

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I'll be reading the fine print of the service
plan when I go over to her home in two weeks. One response I had to this
post said that it was all a big gimmick....I'd say its insurance with a
hefty premium.
On a related score, I did cover my daughter's Compaq laptop with a 3 year
service plan from Circuit City...
Roger

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I am not a fan of these insurance policies. I bought my set at Best Buy and
they tried to sell a $400 policy saying it would cover the cost of the bulb
and that it was not a user-serviceable item. Bad information because you
can get the bulb from Sony for $200 and replace it yourself. Most
electronics will fail very soon if they are going to fail and this would be
covered by the manufacturers warranty. Companies make a fortune on these
insurance policies. In rare cases, they may be worth it, but I have not
needed them.

Jeff


"Roger" <nospam@world.com> wrote in message
news:np4zd.1108$NH2.138354@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Hi all,
> A relative bought a Mitsubishi DLP TV a week ago at Tweeter. Model 52725.
> (52" HDTV) They recommended, and she did buy, a $500 insurance of some
> kind for the DLP mechanism that gives, apparently, several more years of
> DLP use in terms of replacement of an expensive part or something.
> Does anyone know whether this was a sales gimmick or was she right in
> getting this?
> Roger
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

Personally I feel it is like life insurance, you don't need it unless
incurring a loss. <
>Many ESP cover the lamp for replacement, at the consumer's site, at which
>time the tech can also evaluate if the ballast may need changing also, or
>if there may be other problems.<
> Seen too many of these with light engine problems, not just a cleaning,
> replaceable normally as a complete assembly, available only from the
> specific manufacturers for their respective products. May want to check
> the cost of these assemblies, if you care to. <
>IMHO, if the buyer can absorb the cost of service during the life time of
>their set, then don't buy the Extended Service Policy, however, as with
>most average consumers, you do not have the luxury of doing this, then drop
>the additional amount for the insurance. As stated, win-win for both sides
>eventually.
"42" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1c3d35582d20cfc6989964@shawnews...
> In article <GsWzd.13348$IZ2.429@fe37.usenetserver.com>,
> jdurham@outdoorlife.local says...
>> I am not a fan of these insurance policies. I bought my set at Best Buy
>> and
>> they tried to sell a $400 policy saying it would cover the cost of the
>> bulb
>> and that it was not a user-serviceable item. Bad information because you
>> can get the bulb from Sony for $200 and replace it yourself. Most
>> electronics will fail very soon if they are going to fail and this would
>> be
>> covered by the manufacturers warranty. Companies make a fortune on these
>> insurance policies. In rare cases, they may be worth it, but I have not
>> needed them.
>>
>> Jeff
>
> I rarely if ever have bought extended warranty on anything. However the
> Visions I purchased my HDTV at has a program where you pay $349.00 for
> an extra 4 years of warranty (excludes bulb replacement), and at the end
> of it you are given a $349.00 store credit if you don't make any
> warranty claims. To redeem the store credit you must make a purchase of
> $400.00 or more.
>
> So from my perspective, its win-win. If I need the warranty I've got it,
> and if I don't need it I get the money back as I'm sure I will have no
> trouble buying 400.00 worth of Merchandise at an electronics store 5
> years from now.
>
> The *only* thing I have to do is remember to claim it. I can live with
> that.
>