This is my first posting and I searched the forums but didn't find anything which totally answered my question...

Last week I purchased an ex-display FHD1 from BB for a pretty good price. I decided to take out their $599 extended warranty since I was worried about how long it had been on display and left powered on.
It was delivered today and after I set it up my fears were realised and it had a significant amount of burn-in with it clearly showing that ESPN HD was a regularly watched channel.

At the time I purchased it I was told that if there were any problems it could be replaced under the extended warranty and that included replacing it with a 110FD.
To cut a long story short, they've now told me that they won't replace it for free with a 110FD since it isn't a like for like replacement. What they would do is offer me a Kuro 110FD at a discounted price instead.

The reason I didn't go for the 110FD initially was because of the cost and even at their discounted price I would still have to find extra funds.

Ignoring the rights or wrongs of their backtracking on the warranty, my questions are; has anyone had any reliability problems with a Kuro or are they too new to have any reports of problems?
What about the reliability history of Pioneer plasma's in general?
I have the option to cancel the warranty which would then help offset the extra cost of the 110FD but given that I've kind of lost faith that their policy won't change again and I might get screwed over if there is a real problem with the Kuro in the future. is it a good idea to cancel the warranty?

Thanks,

take it back because they lied to you. plus they really screwed you on a $600 ext warranty. a used fhd1 display model should went for around $2000 and as you have seen not been worth even that. a good price on a pro110fd would be around $4500 total, did they come down to that? and you could get an ext warranty for 3 years added onto the elite 2 year warranty (5 years total) for around $230.

They are also jerking you around on a general like for like basis, the Pro110fd is this years top of the line 50" Pioneer Elite, the fhd1 started out at $10K the Pro110fd is $6k or the 5010 is $5K, they could offer you a deal on the 5010 around $3500 at least.

a 5080, pro1150, 5010 or pro110 would all be better choices, the fhd1 was a good display last year but any of the new 8G Kuros would be a better choice.

The Kuros just came out in May, so very few reports of any long term problems yet.

no matter take that fhd1 display model back asap.

I agree with the previous post, this is not the first time they say their warranty will cover everything, only to later learn it won't cover burn in. Pioneer has been a good line for me, there are burn in issues with any plasma, but pioneer's picture, especially with non-HD content is top-tier. Don't let them take advantage of you, get your money back, and take your business elsewhere. I hope this works out for you, but don't lose faith in Pioneer!

take it back because they lied to you. plus they really screwed you on a $600 ext warranty. a used fhd1 display model should went for around $2000 and as you have seen not been worth even that. a good price on a pro110fd would be around $4500 total, did they come down to that? and you could get an ext warranty for 3 years added onto the elite 2 year warranty (5 years total) for around $230.

They are also jerking you around on a general like for like basis, the Pro110fd is this years top of the line 50" Pioneer Elite, the fhd1 started out at $10K the Pro110fd is $6k or the 5010 is $5K, they could offer you a deal on the 5010 around $3500 at least.

a 5080, pro1150, 5010 or pro110 would all be better choices, the fhd1 was a good display last year but any of the new 8G Kuros would be a better choice.

The Kuros just came out in May, so very few reports of any long term problems yet.

no matter take that fhd1 display model back asap.

BB already offered to replace it but since it's discontinued they can't replace it with the same one as they no longer carry it in stock. They called another branch and they also had one on display but it had a scratch on it so I probably won't go for it. The offer of a discounted 110FD was made because of this. I don't know how much I can argue against what one salesperson said could be done against another person. I'm waiting for the general store manager to get back to me on this since she was not in the store at the time.

They didn't come down to $4500...not certain if forum rules allow me to say what they have offered...let's just say it's between the $6000 MSRP and $4500.

The like-for-like issue was because the FHD1 is a monitor only and the 110FD has the in-built tuner and speakers. Is that sufficient grounds to say they're not like-for-like?

Does the $230 warranty offer options similar to what BB would offer? Where can I get information on this third party warranties?

I am pondering whether I should keep my BB warranty as well. I take delivery of my 6010 on the 11th. The warranty was $599 (it's based on selling price). I think I am going to cancel it?? Is there any way we can determine failure rates or anything? I am aware of the buzzing issue but I am sure I would find if I had one within the first year.

If you guys are purchasing with a major credit card, most of them will extend the warranty an additional year. This gives you 2 years on the 'regular' Pioneers and 3 years on the Pio Elite line.

Why waste money on an extended warranty UNLESS it is cheap, e.g. $300 for 4 years?

Bish

If you guys are purchasing with a major credit card, most of them will extend the warranty an additional year. This gives you 2 years on the 'regular' Pioneers and 3 years on the Pio Elite line.

Why waste money on an extended warranty UNLESS it is cheap, e.g. $300 for 4 years? Or even better yet, a $130 (or so) Mack warranty for 4 years . . . . ;)

BB already offered to replace it but since it's discontinued they can't replace it with the same one as they no longer carry it in stock.




They're full of crap. Should your panel break down in its, say, 30th month and their service dept. find it to be past repair (rather likely scenario, hence crazy warranty plans), you'll be entitled to a comparable replacement set.
Where the hell are they going to dig up a current model by then ?
Ordinarily, when buying extended service plans for big ticket items - it helps to read the fine print. Helps to reduce the flow of B.S. by about 98% ;)

Or even better yet, a $130 (or so) Mack warranty for 4 years . . . . ;)
Info?? Any idea what this covers and associated fees (min service call etc)??

Info?? Any idea what this covers and associated fees (min service call etc)??

the Mack 3 year add on warranty starts after your original Pioneer 1 year (2 year for elites in the US) warranty ends so for a 6010 that was under say $5000 you would have a total of 4 years coverage for $230 for the mack ext warranty. You just need to purchase it within 30 days of your plamsa purchase.

http://tapeworkstexas.com/mack_warranty_tv_only_.html

the only fees is the sale price, no added minimums/no hidden service call fees/deductibles, comes with the normal coverages (check with mack and read the paperwork to be sure exactly) and the in home service for large tvs.

I would return the set and cancel the $600 warranty - and consider a 5080.........

Can't you just take the FHD1 back and get your money back? You should not have to keep a TV with an obvious pre-existing defect that they failed to tell you about. And offering to "let" you buy a more expensive TV after you've already bought this one is not a solution either.

I would get a refund and then buy a new current panel from one of our fine sponsors.:D

the Mack 3 year add on warranty starts after your original Pioneer 1 year (2 year for elites in the US) warranty ends so for a 6010 that was under say $5000 you would have a total of 4 years coverage for $230 for the mack ext warranty. You just need to purchase it within 30 days of your plamsa purchase.

http://tapeworkstexas.com/mack_warranty_tv_only_.html

the only fees is the sale price, no added minimums/no hidden service call fees/deductibles, comes with the normal coverages (check with mack and read the paperwork to be sure exactly) and the in home service for large tvs.

Does anyone have experience dealing with them??

Your thread title:" Elite Kuro reliability question"

Is very misleading. You did not purchase a Kuro demo panel. You purchased a previous generation, which is a non Kuro.

I would advise you to take you panel back, get a full refund, and start over.

True, not only is it not a Kuro but it was a demo subjected to 12 - 14 hours a day of running a demo loop over and over for a whole year. Just drop the issue, return the set and buy what makes you happy.