Extended warranties

gibbsisgod · 10-29-2008, 03:31 PM

I would like to get some peoples opinion on a problem I am having.

In Feb of 2007 I bought my dream TV. 52'' HDTV. I found an amazing price, and an amazing offer for an extended warranty. I think I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 for another 2 years after the manufacturer warranty expired. The best parts were in home service, and a no lemon policy where if they had to replace the same part more than once, they buy back the set. well, the TV broke,and
he first thing they tried to get me to do was bring the TV to a repair center. When I explained I had a in home service contract she then agreed to send somebody to me.
It takes a week for somebody to become available and when a tech finally shows up has no clue what is wrong, or what parts need replacing. He guesses that If he replaces 3 parts total, its gotta be one of them. He aslo tells me he is not sure if parts are even still available for my particular model. It was a Friday so he tells me to call back on Monday to the Repair center to get an update. He was to do some research on my problem and order parts if they were indeed available.
I waited until Tuesday Oct 3 to call. They tell me, 1 part had been ordered, 1 was on backorder, and 1 was no longer available. I was then told the claim was sent back to the warranty company and I should call them. When I called them they told me to give them until the end of the week to find parts or to make a decision on whether or not to buy out my warranty(full purchase price plus taxes).
So I wait until Friday and place a phone call and am told the part is completely unavailable and I am being put in for a buyout consideration. I should call back in 3-5 buisness days to find out the status.
So again.... I wait. this time I waited the full 5 days for them to get their shit together. On Friday, OCT17, I was told that it was denied because they found the parts. The parts should be at the service center but because I waited until after 5pm to call, the service center was closed. I need to wait until Monday and call back.

To make an already long story a bit shorter, I am still without a TV. No one at the company seems to know where my parts are and when I should be able to watch my tv again. I have been given 6 different dates and each time the date comes and goes with no word on my service request. Today they tell me that the original tech that visited my house MIGHT have the parts but they could not confirm or deny( I have been given this line twice before).

Thoughts, suggestions?

FRPLG · 10-29-2008, 03:34 PM

You need a lawyer with a gift for strongly worded certified letters explaining the lawsuit he is drawing up.

gibbsisgod · 10-29-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRPLG

You need a lawyer with a gift for strongly worded certified letters explaining the lawsuit he is drawing up.

When I called them on Monday and told me I would have to wait a couple of more days, I told them "you telling me to wait is no longer an acceptable answer", they said, "well sir, Right now thats the only one you are gonna get."

I have threatened them with the BBB but have not yet followed through. If from day one they told me it would be a month, I could have lived with that. But no, they tell me 3-5 days, and when I wait they then tell me, its gonna be another 3-5 days. Thats why I'm so upset, and also why I have not contacted the BBB as of yet.

firstdown · 10-29-2008, 03:58 PM

Did you buy this TV at Best Buy?

gibbsisgod · 10-29-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstdown

Did you buy this TV at Best Buy?

Walmart.

gibbsisgod · 10-29-2008, 04:03 PM

I would be happy if they just fixed my current set, but would be even more happy if they just bought me out. Has anybody noticed how much the price of TVs has dropped? I could buy a better TV(although the one I have was pretty sweet.) and a surround sound system for for what I paid for just My TV in Feb of 07.

firstdown · 10-29-2008, 04:10 PM

I'd ask to speak directly to the store mgr. Not the guy who thinks he runs the store but the head person and explain in full detail your problems as you have done here. Walmart has pretty good customer service so they should be able to help with your problem. If your dealing with a service type center still call the Mgr of the store because they sold you the TV and service contract. TV's have drop allot and we are thinking about finaly goin to an HD TV.

gibbsisgod · 10-29-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstdown

I'd ask to speak directly to the store mgr. Not the guy who thinks he runs the store but the head person and explain in full detail your problems as you have done here. Walmart has pretty good customer service so they should be able to help with your problem. If your dealing with a service type center still call the Mgr of the store because they sold you the TV and service contract. TV's have drop allot and we are thinking about finaly goin to an HD TV.

Your suggesting I call the store that I bought the TV from? The warranty company is seperate from them but I do know they only handle Walmarts extended service plans. I asked them this and they deal exclusively with Walmart and no on else. I belive it is a company that calls themsleves N.E.W. They answer the phone with "Product care plan".

onlydarksets · 10-29-2008, 04:24 PM

Visit the Consumerist:
The Consumerist: Shoppers Bite Back

Read up, and then take appropriate action.

Bottom line, though is that extended warranties are usually scams. The supplying company almost always comes up with some sort of excuse, and most people don't push them on it.

Good luck, though.

MTK · 10-29-2008, 04:25 PM

Buy a new TV, and one not from Wal-Mart.

mooby · 10-29-2008, 10:04 PM

Sucks that you bought it at Walmart man. Not to do a sales pitch here, but if you had bought it at Target, we sell 3 year service plans with all major electronic items, including our tv's, and basically all you have to do if you buy is and if it breaks is return the tv, the receipt, and the little 3 year service plan card and we'll either give you a new one or give you a refund. The service plan would've been the same price, if your tv cost about 2500, then the service plan would be 79 bucks.

gibbsisgod · 10-30-2008, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Buy a new TV, and one not from Wal-Mart.

I just don't have the money to buy a new one myself. At least not right now. And if they would honor their contract, I wouldn't have to.

gibbsisgod · 10-30-2008, 06:40 AM

I spoke to them again last night and told me the Tech would be contacting me and guess what....... still nothing.

MTK · 10-30-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibbsisgod

I just don't have the money to buy a new one myself. At least not right now. And if they would honor their contract, I wouldn't have to.

I hear ya, I feel for you, even though TVs are coming down in price it's still a nice chunk of change to drop. Whatever you do don't give up, remember the squeaky wheel always gets the grease. Bang on enough doors and one will eventually open. Ok, I'm out of cliches now.

mredskins · 10-30-2008, 10:31 AM

My Samsung DLP busted a year ago and it was a few weeks out of manf. warrenty. I called and cried they sent someone out and replaced basically all the guts in the TV for free.

It is a 50 inch rear project HD in my basement. Basically if that TV goes I am SOL trying to get the wife to replace it becasue she never uses it will never happen.

I am sure soon my bulb in it will go I think that is like $250 to replace.

10-29-2008, 03:31 PM	#1
gibbsisgod Playmaker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 129 W 81st street Age: 45 Posts: 3,503	Extended warranties I would like to get some peoples opinion on a problem I am having. In Feb of 2007 I bought my dream TV. 52'' HDTV. I found an amazing price, and an amazing offer for an extended warranty. I think I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 for another 2 years after the manufacturer warranty expired. The best parts were in home service, and a no lemon policy where if they had to replace the same part more than once, they buy back the set. well, the TV broke,and he first thing they tried to get me to do was bring the TV to a repair center. When I explained I had a in home service contract she then agreed to send somebody to me. It takes a week for somebody to become available and when a tech finally shows up has no clue what is wrong, or what parts need replacing. He guesses that If he replaces 3 parts total, its gotta be one of them. He aslo tells me he is not sure if parts are even still available for my particular model. It was a Friday so he tells me to call back on Monday to the Repair center to get an update. He was to do some research on my problem and order parts if they were indeed available. I waited until Tuesday Oct 3 to call. They tell me, 1 part had been ordered, 1 was on backorder, and 1 was no longer available. I was then told the claim was sent back to the warranty company and I should call them. When I called them they told me to give them until the end of the week to find parts or to make a decision on whether or not to buy out my warranty(full purchase price plus taxes). So I wait until Friday and place a phone call and am told the part is completely unavailable and I am being put in for a buyout consideration. I should call back in 3-5 buisness days to find out the status. So again.... I wait. this time I waited the full 5 days for them to get their shit together. On Friday, OCT17, I was told that it was denied because they found the parts. The parts should be at the service center but because I waited until after 5pm to call, the service center was closed. I need to wait until Monday and call back. To make an already long story a bit shorter, I am still without a TV. No one at the company seems to know where my parts are and when I should be able to watch my tv again. I have been given 6 different dates and each time the date comes and goes with no word on my service request. Today they tell me that the original tech that visited my house MIGHT have the parts but they could not confirm or deny( I have been given this line twice before). Thoughts, suggestions?

10-29-2008, 03:34 PM	#2
FRPLG MVP Join Date: May 2004 Age: 46 Posts: 10,164	Re: Extended warranties You need a lawyer with a gift for strongly worded certified letters explaining the lawsuit he is drawing up.

10-29-2008, 03:58 PM	#4
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: Extended warranties Did you buy this TV at Best Buy?

10-29-2008, 04:03 PM	#6
gibbsisgod Playmaker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 129 W 81st street Age: 45 Posts: 3,503	Re: Extended warranties I would be happy if they just fixed my current set, but would be even more happy if they just bought me out. Has anybody noticed how much the price of TVs has dropped? I could buy a better TV(although the one I have was pretty sweet.) and a surround sound system for for what I paid for just My TV in Feb of 07.

10-29-2008, 04:10 PM	#7
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: Extended warranties I'd ask to speak directly to the store mgr. Not the guy who thinks he runs the store but the head person and explain in full detail your problems as you have done here. Walmart has pretty good customer service so they should be able to help with your problem. If your dealing with a service type center still call the Mgr of the store because they sold you the TV and service contract. TV's have drop allot and we are thinking about finaly goin to an HD TV.

10-29-2008, 04:24 PM	#9
onlydarksets Playmaker Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: all up in your business Posts: 2,693	Re: Extended warranties Visit the Consumerist: The Consumerist: Shoppers Bite Back Read up, and then take appropriate action. Bottom line, though is that extended warranties are usually scams. The supplying company almost always comes up with some sort of excuse, and most people don't push them on it. Good luck, though. __________________ Stop reading my signature.

10-29-2008, 04:25 PM	#10
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,502	Re: Extended warranties Buy a new TV, and one not from Wal-Mart. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

10-29-2008, 10:04 PM	#11
mooby Hug Anne Spyder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 20,468	Re: Extended warranties Sucks that you bought it at Walmart man. Not to do a sales pitch here, but if you had bought it at Target, we sell 3 year service plans with all major electronic items, including our tv's, and basically all you have to do if you buy is and if it breaks is return the tv, the receipt, and the little 3 year service plan card and we'll either give you a new one or give you a refund. The service plan would've been the same price, if your tv cost about 2500, then the service plan would be 79 bucks. __________________ Hail to the Football Team

10-30-2008, 06:40 AM	#13
gibbsisgod Playmaker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: 129 W 81st street Age: 45 Posts: 3,503	Re: Extended warranties I spoke to them again last night and told me the Tech would be contacting me and guess what....... still nothing.

10-30-2008, 10:31 AM	#15
mredskins Gamebreaker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 12,780	Re: Extended warranties My Samsung DLP busted a year ago and it was a few weeks out of manf. warrenty. I called and cried they sent someone out and replaced basically all the guts in the TV for free. It is a 50 inch rear project HD in my basement. Basically if that TV goes I am SOL trying to get the wife to replace it becasue she never uses it will never happen. I am sure soon my bulb in it will go I think that is like $250 to replace. __________________ When life gives you paper jams, turn them into paper footballs!

Extended warranties

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