[LEARN ABOUT][GENERAL
TIPS][MISC]
Extended Service Plan
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BULLETIN: (10 Dec 02) For
a while Philips had relegated sale of the plans through dealers, but they apparently have
reversed that policy.
Davis Weis writes "I just spoke with
Philips, and the CONTINUE to deal with CONSUMERS! I asked em why someone told me they
dont', and she said, that person probably heard it from a dealer!"
I normally don't get these extended service plans but I bought one for this set for a
number of reasons:
- TV's enormous size makes it almost impossible for me to move it, put it in a vehicle
that would have to be a pickup trup, and haul it to a service center. It took at
least 6 people to take it down to my basement. I certainly wouldn't want to carry
this thing on my back all alone.
- HDTV is still new technology and as such will have some gremlins that might cause
problems down the road.
- A single in-home service call is almost the cost, if not more, of a typical extended
service plan.
- Full Warranty service period is normally only 1 year and then only for the picture tube
during the second year.
The Toshiba Extended Warranty Plan is good. It covers parts and labor for any
component failure of the TV. It however costs $412 for the 5 year plan.
When I was still shopping for the TV, I came across another service program by Philips
Priority. A fellow HDTV enthusiast did a bit of digging around and found that their
5 yr plan can be had for a lot cheaper.
After comparing the two plans against each other, I decided to purchase the Philips
Priority Extended Service Warranty. Here are the highlights:
- Five (5) year plan that provides for service support above and beyond what other
standard plans offer including that of Toshiba.
- The plan runs concurrent with the Toshiba standard warranty which provides you peace of
mind that one way or another, the TV will get fixed if it ever needs it.
- The plan provides for in-home repair service for the TV. All electronic components
are covered including the remote.
- It has a no-lemon clause that provides replacement of the TV with a new one or
replacement model after three (3) failed repair attempts at NO
COST to the customer.
- Warranty is transferrable and can be cancelled at anytime during the life of the
contract.
- Fully insured by an established and solid insurance company.
- Fully owned by Philips Consumer Electronics and Frigidaire Consumer Services which
have over $12B in net worth.
- 94% Overall satisfaction rating: Ranked #1 in the industry.
- I like the fact that their contracted service folks are paid at retail rates rather than
the lower warranty rates. This makes for a happy service tech and ultimately a happy
customer.
- I also like that fact that a local ISF certified tech can use this program to conduct
work on my TV. That assures me that the tech knows about HDTV, specifically
Toshibas; he has worked on HDTVs before; and he knows how to bring the best out of my TV.
- And best of all, it only costs $194 for the 5 yr plan! ($194 for widescreens and $158 for regular
4x3 sets). So, let's see.... that's 10.6 cents per day for 5 yrs..... I think I can
afford that. =)
I gathered the info above from their website and from the single page description of
the plan terms that was faxed to me.
DISCLAIMER: I don't know of Philip
Priority's track record other than what's on their website. I know of only a few
other enthusiasts who have purchased this plan which convinced me to get on the
bandwagon. Personally, I cannot make a recommendation either way.
I just hope I never ever have to use it. I'd rather have
the TV running troublefree for the rest of its useful life.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Okay, below is the contact information for Philips Priority. You'll need to
provide a copy of your TV receipt which shows where and when the TV was purchased, the TV
brand and model, and the TV serial number.
Philips Priority
(800) 818-6878
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