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Thread ID: 105112	2009-11-19 17:59:00	Should we get an extended guarantee on TV	andreas.hagen (15380)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
831637	2009-11-19 17:59:00	Hi, We just bought a Panasonic 42" Plasma TV and were wondering if we should get an extended warranty for 3 years incase after the first 12 months something goes wrong. Are Plasmas expensive to fix if something goes wrong, anyone have an idea what the average repair bill is for this type of TV? :banana	andreas.hagen (15380)
831638	2009-11-19 18:28:00	Panasonic is a good brand, so chances are if it's going to have a problem it will happen early on (bad component or poor assembly), if it goes well for the first year, chances are it will go well for years. I think you would find any genuine fault found within the 1~3 years would be covered under the consumers guarantee act, but this could mean small claims court and the associated shagging around. Personally I don't get extended warranties, but if you feel you couldn't be bothered with arguements over a problem and the cover is cheap enough, then maybe it's an option. A good rule of thumb is, "will you sleep better if you buy the extended warranty"? If the answer is yes, then go for it.	Grimy (3041)
831639	2009-11-19 19:09:00	http://www.comcom.govt.nz You are already covered When you buy an extended warranty, you're probably paying for protection you're already entitled to under consumer laws or your home and contents insurance or the manufacturers' warranty. In some cases, the extended warranty offers less cover than you're entitled to under the law. The Consumer Guarantees Act Under this Act, manufacturers and retailers are obliged to guarantee that the products they sell be of an acceptable quality and be fit for their purpose. Most appliances, certainly the big ticket ones, can be expected to perform well for many years, not just the period covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This means that if your product fails when it's still reasonably new, you can have it repaired or, if that isn't possible, replaced, even if the manufacturer's warranty has expired. So there's no value in having an extended warranty if the only thing it gives you is cover beyond the period of the manufacturer's warranty. The Consumer Guarantees Act also offers broader cover than some manufacturer warranties imply. For example, if a product fails when it's still reasonably new, and hasn't been misused, the manufacturer can't say the fault is because of "wear and tear" and refuse to repair it - even if the warranty says wear and tear isn't covered. So, there is no additional benefit from an extended warranty that gives cover for "normal wear and tear". Limited protection Some extended warranty contracts have significant cover limits and are an inferior alternative to the Act. For example, the Betta Electrical Extended Service Plan specifically excludes damage caused during delivery and total loss of the product due to the non-availability of parts. The Harvey Norman Extended Warranty does not pay for freight and travelling time for a legitimate repair. It's important to remember that nothing in the warranty contract can reduce your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act, so if you have a faulty product but aren't getting compensation because of a restrictive clause in the warranty contract, you can challenge the contract.	pctek (84)
831640	2009-11-19 19:59:00	No as pctek has already mentioned. :)	Trev (427)
831641	2009-11-19 20:22:00	I'd say no, too . It really is just a way the retailers get some margin back after paring them in their ever present sales . A few years ago, in a weak moment, I took one out on a DV camera . The camera did develop a bad fault (duff LCD) after the warranty period but the manufacturer fixed it, and the many others in the same boat, for free anyway! But, in the end, only you can make the final decision . At least Pctek has spelt the facts out clearly for you .	linw (53)
831642	2009-11-19 20:48:00	Yes & no. If you don't get it and something happens to the TV a couple of years later and you go back to the retailer they may put up a fight and it could take a while to get it resolved under the CGA. If you do have an extended warranty then it would get fixed/replaced pretty quickly. So up you, either way you will be covered.	CYaBro (73)
831643	2009-11-19 20:50:00	TVs have and estimated life of about 5 years so if anything happens in those 5 years you are covered by the CGA!	xyz823 (13649)
831644	2009-11-19 21:46:00	Yes & no. If you don't get it and something happens to the TV a couple of years later and you go back to the retailer they may put up a fight and it could take a while to get it resolved under the CGA. If you do have an extended warranty then it would get fixed/replaced pretty quickly. So up you, either way you will be covered. As an example, I have just had a TV replaced under the CGA. It was over 2 years old so out of it's 2 year warranty. There was nothing wrong with the TV, just that when I bought it the sales person told me it was a full HD 1080p and I have recently found out that it is not. A quick call and an email to the supplier and they are going to replace it with a screen that is full HD 1080p capable!	CYaBro (73)
831645	2009-11-19 21:48:00	Just to add, some retailers are not passing on the factory warranty of some products . In other words the manufacturer offers 2 years but the retailers are stating one year to sell extended warranties . PC's if your PC fails in in Year 5, its a hunk of junk and you probably want a upgrade anyway so you wasted your money on that 5 year cover to have it repaired . TV's have a much longer life but id save the cash and take the tiny risk .	Battleneter2 (9361)
831646	2009-11-20 00:09:00	TVs have and estimated life of about 5 years so if anything happens in those 5 years you are covered by the CGA! Of course, you're covered by the CGA - provided you're prepared to 'fight' for it and probably you will win in the end. But, please be prepared to live without the TV for a couple of weeks, or even months. If you're a very patient person, that's OK.:D	bk T (215)
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