TV Floor Models & Extended Warranties

[powerknowledge]

Hey all,

Carrying over a question from a now-settled thread:

Would/have any of you purchased TV floor models? And if so -- perhaps especially for an RPTV -- would you drop the extra $ for an extended warranty plan?

On my way to work, I stopped at BB, CC, and Ultimate Electronics (all within a 3-block area!) to check out the Sony KDS60A2000: the set of my dreams as one of the few DLP "rainbow-seers". UE was closing it out to make wasy for the 2020 line (the exact same set, with an all-black cabinet), and had only floor models left; for $2060, that's awful tempting. The MFR warranty still holds, of course, and they'll white-glove deliver for $50.

But given a floor model's "always on", every day during business hours (albeit here, they properly adjust brightness etc. in the darkened display room), might it be worthwhile to spend $400 on a 4-year warranty that includes bulb replacement?

Has anyone had luck talking down the cost of such a plan? (I'm hoping -- read, my wife's really really hoping -- to have the set "all-in" with tax, warranty, and delivery for under $2500; I think given that I'd be buying a floor model they'd be more open, but who knows...).

Jesus, I'm an insecure shopper. Can you tell my last major purchase was a good half decade ago, and that my last TV purchase (also a floor model, incidentally, but not with an extended warranty) was over 10 years ago? And that I need validation for something I probably have my mind set on anyway?

[chlngr1970]

I buy closeout stuff all the time. I actually prefer the close out stuff as it comes with the same warranty ( and I can purchase the extra warranty if I want ), so it is just as good as new, just much less. I bought my last TV as a display model, and had no trouble with it. In fact, it wasn't untill here in the last few years that I have been buying sealed stuff. Most of my HT gear came from a pawn shop at first.

Anyway...what I tell people is...if you can afford to just go out and replace something...DVD player, VCR, remote...why bother with the extra expence. If it is a big ticket item ( and you are considering a floor model ) I would put some serious consideration into the extended warranty ( and make sure the language states ot covers the lamp replacement ).

j

[sub780lime]

I suggested this when my dad bought his 50'' Samsung DLP. He bought it at a reduced priced but bought a 4 year warranty...so he paid a little under what he would of new and got a longer warranty...he has had to have it looked at twice, but each time they came and replaced something and hes back to where he was. The problem is until something majorly goes wrong they may not do anything...meaning if the color starts to fade (to your sensitive eyes) they may not be willing to fix the problem until its really obvious.

[firestorm]

In my experience, open box items or floor models aren't anymore plagued with problems than "new" items. IOW, you'd have just about the same chance of having problems with an unopened item. In fact, with a floor model, there's a good chance that the unit has already been in operation well past the "infant death" period, taking that probability out (i.e. my first Wega died 5 minutes out of the box). My concerns with such items are generally things like cosmetics, and any knobs and switches that may have seen extended abuse from curious hands.

Bulb life is definately a concern. I don't have first hand knowledge of bulb costs for RPTVs, but have heard that they range from $250-$400. That certainly equates to what we pay for projector bulbs here. However, prolonged on time may not be any more detrimental than repeated power cycles (on all day vs. on once or twice for a couple hours total). Cycling power, causing the bulb to heat and cool, will (perhaps arguably) shorten the life of the bulb.

[Wirehed]

If it's in good cosmetic shape and it's a really good price I would consider it. Otherwise I would not purchase a DLP TV floor model. I've yet to find many floor models that were priced well enough below "street price" new to warrant the consideration. Generally you can find the same TV a month later brand new and marked down since new models are coming out anyway.

Extended warranties via consumer electronics stores are a pain. I tend to think you're better off just banking the money you would have spent and using the manufactures warranty. Of course, that depends on purchasing equipment from good manufactures who have known good customer service and decent warranties in the first place.

[sub780lime]

Consumer electronic stores extended can be pain, but it really matters who they use in your area. Most of the time they are not using their own techs but shops dedicated to your area. If you get a good one, you are lucky and your problem might be resolved quickly. If you dont, well you are left very and

[timmydawg]

I purchased a floor model TV at CC a little over a year ago. Decided not to get the extended service warranty, but the offer to opt in was good for a year. Just something to keep in mind as they will try to sell the extended warranty upfront.

[sub780lime]

Thats a good point. When I bought my TV from CC I think they sent me options to get the extended warranty i nthe mail for at least a year.