Beware of What Your Extended Warranty DOESN'T Cover!

[ibglowin]

The bulb on my 40" Panasonic RPLCD blew yesterday. I noticed for about a week or so that the color was looking very washed out and then all of a sudden POP!

I purchased the extended warranty on both TV's and was told they cover everything. Imagine my suprise when I called the service number and was told "bulbs are not covered as they are considered consumables"!

The bulbs on these types of HDTV's run around $300! (they are user replaceable)

I called and spoke to the manager at Ultimate Electronics in Albuquerque who really went the extra mile. The salesman who sold us the TV's is long gone of course (almost 3 years now). He is going to order a bulb and have it sent out next week no charge as a gesture of good will.

I guess I should start looking now for a replacement bulb for the other TV!

[JM Anthony]

. . . I called and spoke to the manager at Ultimate Electronics in Albuquerque who really went the extra mile. The salesman who sold us the TV's is long gone of course (almost 3 years now). He is going to order a bulb and have it sent out next week no charge as a gesture of good will.
I think most extended warrantees aren't good value, particularly on electronics. Other than mechanical parts and bulbs, if they are going to fail, they'll fail within 90 days or so.

And not to hijack the thread, but the manager's reaction is totally cool. It amazes me how often business people miss opportunities to create life-long customers through simple acts like this. I will pay more $$ initially on purchases to do business with companies that treat me the way I want to be treated. I've got an A/V shop in Seattle that I've been doing business with for over 35 years for that very reason.

[zubinh]

"Consumables are not covered" Thats the same terminology used in the circuit city terms and conditions.

I had the manager put in writing that lamp replacement is covered so I wouldnt have any problems

[ibglowin]

This was the first (and probably last) extended warranty I'll ever purchase.

[deraz]

This was the first (and probably last) extended warranty I'll ever purchase.

Why not? It looks like it saved you $300 this time.