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GE Warranty By Any Other Name Still Smells | 13 comments (13 topical) | Post A Comment
Isn't this an insurance policy???[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#1)
by BUL2294 on Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 12:27:02 PM PDT

While I can't speak for this guy's extended warranty, the ones that I've come across (and sometimes bought) from Best Buy are all "underwritten" and mention they are, in fact, insurance policies. If that's the case here, I'd go and file a complaint with the state's insurance regulating authority. In Illinois, complaints against insurance companies are publicly available (on a website for free), so companies have an interest in not being named in such a public fashion.

Personally, my next step would be to get the TV replaced (which is probably what needs to happen anyway) and take the retailer or GE to small-claims court for the replacement cost. (Not sure who should be sued). Even if the retail store is no longer there, this guy should be able to take the corporate office to your local small claims court since they did have a presence in the city/county when they sold the TV.

One other thing about GE... It's such a huge, pointless company that I'd also try re-submitting the claim again. Chances are you'll get a different call center where the wind is blowing in a different direction with someone more willing to help. GE's systems are so massive, duplicated, and overlapping (yes, I worked for GE) that while one call center may disapprove of the repair, another may approve...

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I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but....[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#2)
by Grimalkin on Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 01:43:05 PM PDT

There's a lot that's going unsaid here. I'm guessing that GE is stating that the burn-in and color noise is "normal wear and tear" for that technology purchased at that time. This is more true than we may care to admit. Having specified many plasma displays and monitors over the last few years, I can honestly say that virtually all units installed less than 24 months ago now have noticeable burn-in and picture degradation if they have been in heavy use and the user has often had logos/menus/crawlers on the display for extended periods. Frankly, while I sympathize wholeheartedly with the owner, I find it almost amazing that someone would spend a total of over $11,000 on a relatively new technology some three years ago and then want the unit brought back to its original state, even after known problems have come up. Even if GE provided an identical, brand-new unit to replace the one he has, the problem will most likely be back in another three years. Face it...auto paint fades, tires wear out, and (older) plasma screens burn-in and wear (more than newer ones).
Zonex, North Carolina
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Snake Oil Salesman[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#3)
by partan on Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 09:30:57 AM PDT

I believe that Plasma TVs are a big waist of money.  There's so many things that can go wrong with them and they wear out so easily.  You also need to have them serviced about once a year as well.  I think that the best TVs out now are DLP.  This is projection TV with a brilliant picture and small form factor.

As far as extended warranties, I've never seen one that was all inclusive.  In fact, there is usually a list of parts covered and/or not covered a mile long.  Most people don't know enough about Plasma TVs (or any other complicated electronic device) to know what parts are expensive or wear-out quickly.  The warranties seem to be written to take advantage of a person's lack of knowledge.

I always thought that technology was supposed to make our lives easier and more comfortable, but it seems more and more that companies are trying to stick it to their customers.  Instead of keeping things simple, most of us get lost in all the technical details.  Companies today, take advantage of this fact more often then not.

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GE Warranty By Any Other Name Still Smells | 13 comments (13 topical) | Post A Comment
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