[Purple]

I am looking at purchasing a 46" HLN467W at a major chain.


I never purchase extended warranties with electronics and have never had a problem. But this is a large purchase and i am wondering if this time i should pay for the extra warranty.


You folks think it would be worth buying or is it a waste of money?


Thanks

 

[IndyJeep]

Depends on where you go. I know BB's will cover the light bulb if it ever goes out.

 

[Tom_Bombadil]

In general they are a tremendous source of profits for the reseller. According to data I've seen from Consumer Reports, the typical HD set has a repair frequency rate of under 10%. If the average repair is $700, this means the typical payout on an extended warranty is around $70. So if they sell you a warranty for $499, the profit margin is $429. Hard to beat that.


However if you buy a unit that has a much higher rate of failure, or it covers parts that are likely to fail within the warranty period, then the cost benefit calculation can work out much more favorably.


For example let's say your set has a 30% chance of a major repair and the warrenty is priced at $349. Now the expected value is $210 ($700 x .3). So the extra premium you are paying for piece of mind is more reasonable.


What I don't like about these electronics extended warranties is that they are a comparably very high percent of the purchase price, say as compared to cars. A $2500 set frequently is offered with a $500 extended warranty. That's 20% of the purchase price. However a $25,000 car's extended warranty is not even close to $5000 (it's usually around 1/4th of this). This despite the fact that the chance of the car incurring a major repair is much higher.


So electronics extended warranties are always a consumer ripoff in absolute terms. If they were sold for $199 they would still be a big profit item for the seller. However many people don't want the hassle of dealing directly with the company for warranty repair, or with repair firms for post-warranty repair, so they are willing to overpay for an extended warranty. For them, it may well be the right decision.


If I were you, I'd try to find out how reliable the Samsungs have been. Then compare that to the price being asked for the extended warranty.


If you don't go with the extended warranty, then make sure you use a credit card that adds another year to the manufacturer's warranty. Easy way to walk out with a 2-yr parts & labor warranty for no additional charge. Given that the Samsung is light enough to carry it into a warranty service center at least gives you a better option than people with 300 pound sets.

 

[HDKing]

Actually, Best Buy does not cover the bulb. I asked if the bulb wears out over time and if they'd replace it. The salesman said that BB considers the bulb inside the DLP tvs a consumable item and will not be covered under their extended plan. Circuit City on the other hand does cover the bulb and everything else inside the tv.

 

[Tom_Bombadil]

The "bulb thing" is a real factor here.


These bulbs are rated for what ... 8000 hours??? I think I've heard that.


If so, then with 4 year warranty, you'd have to be watching over 5 hours a day, close to 38-40 hours a week, on average. That's a lot of TV. When my kids were younger, I'm sure we went over that. Nowadays, no way.


If the bulb went out at 3000 hours, now that would likely fall within most 4-5 year usage and, if covered, would make a warranty more attractive.


I'd definitely want the bulb coverage in writing.

 

[Purple]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom_Bombadil So electronics extended warranties are always a consumer ripoff in absolute terms.

That has always been my understanding


Can anyone speak to whether the Samsung DLP's are likely to break in any way? I dont care about the bulb; i care about things that would require me to return the set for repairs.


My impression was that these sets were very stable/reliable.

 

[stubal]

Reliable yes but when they break they can be expensive. BTW the bulb on my Sammy HLM507W Lasted only 434 hours.

 

[studranger]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom_Bombadil In general they are a tremendous source of profits for the reseller. According to data I've seen from Consumer Reports, the typical HD set has a repair frequency rate of under 10%. If the average repair is $700, this means the typical payout on an extended warranty is around $70. So if they sell you a warranty for $499, the profit margin is $429. Hard to beat that. However if you buy a unit that has a much higher rate of failure, or it covers parts that are likely to fail within the warranty period, then the cost benefit calculation can work out much more favorably. For example let's say your set has a 30% chance of a major repair and the warrenty is priced at $349. Now the expected value is $210 ($700 x .3). So the extra premium you are paying for piece of mind is more reasonable. What I don't like about these electronics extended warranties is that they are a comparably very high percent of the purchase price, say as compared to cars. A $2500 set frequently is offered with a $500 extended warranty. That's 20% of the purchase price. However a $25,000 car's extended warranty is not even close to $5000 (it's usually around 1/4th of this). This despite the fact that the chance of the car incurring a major repair is much higher. So electronics extended warranties are always a consumer ripoff in absolute terms. If they were sold for $199 they would still be a big profit item for the seller. However many people don't want the hassle of dealing directly with the company for warranty repair, or with repair firms for post-warranty repair, so they are willing to overpay for an extended warranty. For them, it may well be the right decision. If I were you, I'd try to find out how reliable the Samsungs have been. Then compare that to the price being asked for the extended warranty. If you don't go with the extended warranty, then make sure you use a credit card that adds another year to the manufacturer's warranty. Easy way to walk out with a 2-yr parts & labor warranty for no additional charge. Given that the Samsung is light enough to carry it into a warranty service center at least gives you a better option than people with 300 pound sets.

TOM.i stood at the service desk at circ city and overheard a conversation regarding a lap top puter a customer was returning--the cc person told him to send it back to the factory--but he said he has the ext warranty-and was told that if he returned it to the store all the store would do is=return it to the manuf for repair -i ask you-is THIS the way they handle warrantys?why bother?and what i said actually happened-he said he took the stores warranty to AVOID sending back to manuf.-yet they told him itd be faster if he shipped it to manuf himself---to me this is intolerable--a complete extended warranty ripoff

 

[ChrisFB]

If you take a look at the extended warranty prices from different stores on the Samsung DLPs you'll notice some major variation. This deviation is basically the bulb factor. Some will cover it (Sears and CC I believe - my friend was figuring this a few months ago) and they are typically more expensive. My friend priced the BB warranty and it looked like a bargain - the salesman even told him it covered the bulb (honest mistake likely) but if you really check with BB you will find that the warranty does not cover the bulb. If someone at BB tells you it does, get a manager to put it in writing and hope for the best.

 

[Tom_Bombadil]

434 hours on the bulb?!?


Boy, if the bulb life is anywhere near this, then an extended warranty w/bulb coverage would pay off in a big way.


This would change the equation a lot. If one had a $200'ish repair that was likely to happen multiple times over a 5-year period, then buying the extended warranty would be a no brainer.


It all comes down to probabilities and cost per repair.

 

[JediMaster_Windo]

Quote:

Originally posted by HDKing Actually, Best Buy does not cover the bulb. I asked if the bulb wears out over time and if they'd replace it. The salesman said that BB considers the bulb inside the DLP tvs a consumable item and will not be covered under their extended plan. Circuit City on the other hand does cover the bulb and everything else inside the tv.

Best Buys service plan is only $249 and CC is $500. The light buld is about $150-$175 and should last 1500-2000 hours as I've read.

 

[lovebuzz#836]

Jedi, some of your information is incorrect. Service plan prices are right but the lamp is listed for $200 at Samsungparts.com and it will last 8000 hrs for all the 100w versions. The 120w that is in the 61" is rated at 6000. I wouldn't have bought the set if it was only 1500-2000 hrs on a lamp. I've topped 2000 now without replacing, although I did get a new color wheel.

 

[ricksm3]

I've posted this before in other threads. I have major concerns that anyone covers the bulb. There are many threads on EW and all, at some point, get into the subject of a covered bulb. Many people say they think it is covered because the manager said so, or wrote it on the receipt. I do not recall any poster ever saying that they actually had a bulb covered by an EW. I would love to hear from one.


I have read BB's plan as well as CC's, Repairmaster, and Sound Advice (Tweeter's) and I doubt any of them cover the bulb. Each, in one way or another, excludes consumables. Since these plans cover a wide variety of merchandise, none of them specifically mention a DLP bulb, either as included or excluded. The best argument I could come up with is that some of these plans cover "wear & tear" but w&t is not defined in the plan so I don't know what that means.


Lastly, and I think this might be very important, none of these plans are actually funded and serviced by the store where you purchase them. I have a very difficult time believing CC's store manager's commitment on something is legally binding on XYZ Company that actually offers the plan, services, and pays the claim. All of the plans (as do all contracts) say the terms and conditions in the plans are binding - meaning verbal or written assurances outside the scope of the plan are not binding. Now, someone with true authority may be able to extend or waive a term or condition, but I don't see how a non-employee (as would be the case of the store employee or manager where you bought the product) could have such binding authority.


EW threads are more numerous than I can count. I have yet to see a definitive answer on this issue that I can rely on. "The store manager said so" just doesn't cut it.


Please - if anyone out there has actually had a bulb covered under warranty - and just the bulb - not because the bulb was replaced due to some other part failure, please speak up!

 

[J9_ls1]

You must have missed my post a few months ago where I researched...in depth...if CC covered the bulb or not. I used to work for CC, so I knew who to talk to exactly, noone knew who I was, and I was treated just like a customer. I have a Hitachi 60v500a. I asked the store manager and they assured me that it was. Even though there was no documentation to support that. That is not a big deal though, as their paperwork was about20 months old. I called the service center requesting a new bulb under my extended warranty, and basically told them that the light was flashing "replace bulb." I told them my set was out of mfr warranty, but it was well under the extended warranty. This would force them to not warranty the bulb out to the mfr, but actually eat/incur the cost themselves. They sent me a replacement next day no problems. Some people doubted this, so I did what any stubborn customer would, and called corporate, and chatted with their extended warranty department. They confirmed it was covered. During my bulb replacement, noone once gave me a hard time...at all. So, at CC at least, a 220 bulb will be next day aired to your house, with no problem as long as you have a warranty.


PS if anyone needs more info, I can help. I worked with returns for years, and I can assure you that bulbs are not considered wear and tear items. For those doubters, now here is my work scenario, I have also seen, from an employee view, customers getting bulbs replaced no problems (this is not just sony, we all know the gw3 fiasco). I would not really worry about this if you got your set from CC, they will warranty it out...if you are unsure, go to the source, their corporate extended warranty department.

 

[ricksm3]

J9_ls1:


Thanks. No, I didn't see your previous post. There are way too many EW threads to follow them all. I must admit, while I certainly accept what you say, I don't understand. A bulb is designed to wear out. I don't see how it can be considered a failure or defect. You say it isn't a wear & tear item, which at least in some of the plans (but not all) is specifically covered. I just don't uinderstand why it's covered. I certainly am not unhappy if it is covered. Just confused.

 

[ricksm3]

J9_ls1:


How many hours did the bulb have when it was replaced. If it went bad with only a fraction of the projected lifespan used, possibly that could be considered a failure/defect that should be covered?

 

[Tom_Bombadil]

I've seen bulbs in other industries that were covered for a period of time. For example, some automotive headlight bulbs have 1 year warranties. So it isn't unprecidented that it could be under a warranty. However, as I said earlier, I would want written confirmation that it was covered as I would not want to have to argue with someone three years later with me having no definitive proof that it was ever covered.


If the bulbs actually last close to their 8000 hour rating, then even if they are covered, it wouldn't be much justification to buy the EW unless you use your set a lot. Even at 4 hours a day for 5 days a week, it would take 400 weeks (over 7.6 years) for it to get to 8000 hours.

 

[J9_ls1]

When I called in, they never sent a service tech to the house, they never asked how many "hours" were on the bulb. They only basically asked 5 questions: MY name/addy, the ticket number, the shipping address, when it failed (date), and was I happy with the service. The whole call took 20 minutes. The tv was over 1 year old so it was not covered under the mfr warranty. Circuit City ate the bulb price because I had the extended warranty. No other part was replaced, and I called and told them the bulb was bad, as the flashing light indicated, as well as the owners manual stated.

 

[J9_ls1]

ttt

 

[Goelz83]

Quote:

Originally posted by ricksm3 I've posted this before in other threads. I have major concerns that anyone covers the bulb. Lastly, and I think this might be very important, none of these plans are actually funded and serviced by the store where you purchase them. I have a very difficult time believing CC's store manager's commitment on something is legally binding on XYZ Company that actually offers the plan, services, and pays the claim. EW threads are more numerous than I can count. I have yet to see a definitive answer on this issue that I can rely on. "The store manager said so" just doesn't cut it.

I work for CC and I realize that many of our employees and other B&M employees give us a bad rep. But I can tell you this..


Our store has always had corporate direction that we cover bulbs on DLP's, LCD Projos.. etc.. (which is why our price is higher than others)


Also, @ our store, the store/department manager has all the say in any warranty issue. He doesn't have to check with the warranty management company (GE-Zurich, I believe) on anything. If they have to write something off to please a customer, they will do so.