TV Extended Warranty Information (part 3)

WHY CAN'T I GET AN EXACT PRICE QUOTE ON THE REPAIR?
It is virtually impossible to offer an exact quote of the total repair costs until the unit, the mechanics, and/or the circuitry are fully inspected and the product restored to its basic operation. In other words, it has to be repaired before anyone can know exactly how much it will cost. By then, considerable expert technical time, the use of expensive test equipment, and even some replacement parts may have been irretrievably expended. Since these extensive business costs must be recovered by the company, the service center will usually charge a flat, minimum fee to prepare an exact price quote or a detailed analysis of the probable repair costs. (This is what some people expect an "estimate" to be.)

However, most service organizations will gladly inform you, ahead of time, the range of costs normally involved in such a repair as well as how much the diagnostic fee is. (This should be the maximum it will cost you if you receive a detailed repair price quote and decide not to complete the repair.) In some cases, this minimum fee must be paid in advance. But, be sure to get this "estimate" in writing.

IS THE COMPANY STABLE?
It's important to check on the financial viability of any company before you spend your money. Afterwards, it's usually too late. Try to find out the name and address of the insurance underwriter for the contract. If you still don't get results, check with your city or state consumer affairs agency or equivalent, or with the state attorney general's office. In some states, warranties and guarantees are treated as insurance, so you might also check with your state insurance commissioner. If the retailer or service dealer goes out of business and the guarantee is from one of them, this will also most likely be lost. However, check with other retailers of the same brand as well as with other carefully selected service centers. Finally, check with your city attorney's office or local or state consumer affairs departments (or equivalent).

HAS A STORE WHERE YOU RECENTLY PURCHASED A SERVICE CONTRACT FOR A CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PRODUCT GONE OUT OF BUSINESS?
If you have a copy of your service contract agreement, there should be a customer service number listed on that document that will help you when you need service. If you don't have a copy of your service contract agreement, contact a local NESDA servicer and they may be able to give you a phone number for the service contract company/underwriter who sold the contracts at that store. (Click here for a list of service contract companies with contact info.)

Please review all the important information in this section which will help protect you when you purchase service contracts in the future.

CAN YOU DO ANYTHING IF THEY DO GO OUT OF BUSINESS?
When a manufacturer or service contract company goes out of business, you will most likely lose any warranty, contract coverage or other guarantees. (The exception would be if the contract is backed by a legitimate insurance underwriter.) If a manufacturer or service contractor does fail, check with the company where you purchased the product or service contract. In some cases, the promised services may be wholly or partially assumed by the retailer, the contract seller, or another service contract company. In some cases, the law may hold one or more of them responsible. Another avenue is to ask your usual service dealer for advice. Look on the policy to see if it was insured. If so, try to find out the name and address of the insurance underwriter. Then, contact the company.