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Welcome to the Warranty Learning Center. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make an informed buying decision on an extended protection plan.
How Does The Warranty Work?
The coverage period begins following the expiration of the shortest portion of the manufacturer's warranty. RepairTech offers service contracts that extend the manufacturer’s warranty from one to five years, that can be a total of from two to six years of coverage. The programs we offer are available on most products that can be plugged in or use batteries. Each service contract is different. For exact details, refer to the Terms and Conditions of your service contract. If you do not see your product listed on the website, please contact us by telephone or email.
There are Three Rs in Platinum- Under the Platinum warranty coverage, we offer you the RepairTech 3Rs; Repair, Replace or Reimburse the Current Market Value (CMV) of the malfunctioning electronic product. The product will be evaluated, either by us, or by an authorized RepairTech Repair facility. If your service plan is designated In-Home service, dispatched personnel will come to your home and perform on-site estimates and/or repairs. If it is economically feasible, your product will be repaired – at no cost to you. Alternatively, if it is not economical to repair, RepairTech will replace your product – at no cost to you. A third choice would be if the product cannot be repaired and there is no comparable replacement, RepairTech will reimburse you the product’s CMV.
Other Plans –
PRP –
Our exclusive Platinum – Product Replacement Plan extends the manufacturer’s warranty - and surpasses it. If a covered product is found to have a defect that would have been covered by the manufacturer’s plan we will replace it. The process is quick and hassle-free.
Passport –
Even better than the PRP the Platinum Passport offers unconditional replacement for the life of the service contract.
Universal –
This premium service contract offers expanded customer service coverage, including large appliance coverage, 24 x 7 telephone response and in home repair and replacement services
Why an Extended Protection Plan? In a word - Repair Costs. Purchasing an extended protection plan for your electronic product or home appliance is one of the smartest consumer decisions you'll ever make. Even the best products malfunction and minor repairs can cost hundreds of dollars. By purchasing a service plan, you won't have to worry about unexpected repair bills.
While most manufacturer-limited warranties protect you for one year, you have no protection against the rising cost of repairs after the first year of ownership. The protection plans we offer extend your coverage for two to five additional years after the expiration of the manufacturer's warranty. The potential increase in costs of both parts and labor from inflation alone make the purchase of a service plan today a wise investment. Savings and insurance – an unbeatable combination.
Television Repair Protection Some major problems with a Plasma TV are pixel outage, vertical or horizontal line banding, or variations in color across quadrants. Even the bulb has a limited life. The limited number of facilities that service the new Digital, LCD, HDTV, Plasma and Projection TVs allows them to charge exorbitant fees, sometimes as high as $250.00 per hour. When you compare these high repair costs to the price of the warranty, the decision is easy. The smart consumer purchases the insurance and will be – protected.
Computer Repair Protection Processors, hard drives, monitors, memory components, device boards and optical (DVD/CD) drives are just a few of the parts that make up the complexity of today's computer systems. Labor rates, not including parts, for desktop or laptop computers run from $50 - $100 per hour. Approximately 50% of computer problems occur after the first year and one repair incident, without an extended warranty, can cost between $150 to $900. You can rest easy with an extended service contract valid for two to four years beyond the purchase date when you invest in one of our comprehensive plans.
Home Appliance Protection The cost of modern day appliances puts the lie to the adage: “replacing is more economical than repairing”, especially when you consider the “other” costs associated with replacement such as removal, installation and disposal. The protection plans offered by RepairTech protect the time and money spent researching and selecting that new appliance. Even more importantly, you have the comfort of knowing that should your appliance fail, help is just a toll-free phone call away.
Home Theater Protection Home Theater is difficult to define - it's an umbrella term describing any of several home entertainment arrangements. Generally speaking, Home Theater is a combination of electronic components designed to recreate the experience of watching a movie in a theater. Components of a home theater system can also be found in other sections of our web site such as Television, Video equipment and Home Audio. Systems designed with Plasma or HDTV's, surround sound - which include a combination of speakers, receivers and amplifiers, DVD/DVR's and many other components are very complex and may cost between $5,000 and $30,000. Set-ups like this may have repair costs in the thousands of dollars depending on the total cost of your system. Make sure you’re protected with one of our comprehensive Home Theater Extended Service plans.
Camera Repair Protection We provide coverage for both digital and non-digital cameras. Today's digital camera's are very technologically advanced, sensitive and complicated. All digital cameras have a built-in computer used to electronically record images. Problems may occur with the sensors, LCD, operating system, flash, memory as well as other components. You may spend up to several hundred dollars for repairs. Even non-digital SLR camera repairs and adjustments can run to over several hundred dollars. These repairs include key and shutter replacement, control adjustments and film advance issues. Other parts that may have problems are the lens, mirror flash contact and screen. While the cost of repairs vary depending on the camera model, one thing is certain: they pale in comparison to the cost of our comprehensive protection plans. One added benefit with a RepairTech Service Plan is that we give you an annual free cleaning at our facility (limited to digital equipment and computers). You’ll be Protected and Served.
Manufacturer's Warrantys
Electronic & Appliance Manufacturer Warranty Facts
The manufacturer's warranty is the promise of your electronic or appliance manufacturer to repair or replace your product for a specified period of time. All factory-installed parts are covered against defects and workmanship during this period.
Most electronic products have a manufacturer’s warranty for either 90 days for labor and 1-year on parts or 1-year on parts and 1-year labor.
If your product has a 90 day labor / 1-year parts warranty, the extended protection plan offered by RepairTech must be purchased within 30 days of the purchase of the product.
If your product has a 1-year labor / 1-year parts warranty from the manufacturer, the extended protection plan offered by RepairTech must be purchased prior to 90 days of the expiration of the original manufacturer's warranty.
Check your manufacturer's warranty manual for your products warranty terms and conditions.
No manufacturer expects product malfunction, but why worry about the risk and expense of repairs once the manufacturer's warranty expires? The protection plan extension we offer goes into effect as soon as the manufacturer's warranty expires and provides protection for just pennies a day. Furthermore, while most manufacturer-limited warranties leave you with no protection against the rising cost of repairs after the first 90 days to 1 year, the extended protection plans we offer allow you to have coverage from 2 to 5 years after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the adavantages of Extended Warranties or Service Contracts?
The contract or warranty can provide peace of mind against future product repair costs or failure. Similar to an insurance policy, you pay a reduced amount in advance to protect against problems that may or may not occur. Should your unit require servicing it would be repaired by a technician skilled and familiar with that product. Additionally, depending on the plan, all or most of the repair will be covered. This means that costly repairs to expensive electronics will not burden or overtax your household budget. RepairTech's Service Contracts have no deductibles. Other options we offer are reimbursement or replacement.
HOW DO SERVICE CONTRACTS DIFFER?
Service contracts vary widely. The most ideal service contract should cover all parts and labor to repair any failure at no additional charge. However, some may cover only parts; only service; or a combination of the two. Some may require additional payments for service. In some service contracts, only parts that receive regular wear or are consumer-replaceable are excluded. In others, repairs to very expensive internal parts may not be covered. A contract may cover needed cleaning, lubricating and other preventive maintenance to avoid a more serious problem; or it may not pay for this under any circumstances. Some contracts pay for service in your home, including pickup and delivery if it has to be repaired at the service center; some do not. You may renew some, but not others, as your set gets older. Some require that all such products in your home be covered. Generally (but not always), the contracts with the most coverage are the most expensive. The RepairTech Service Contract mirrors the manufacturer's own warranty. This means that you are getting the superb coverage given by the manufacturer for an additional one to five years.
WHAT KIND OF PLANS ARE THERE?
There are several types of plans to meet varying needs falling into one of the following categories:
Date-of-Purchase Plans: Begins on the date the product is acquired from the retailer although it does not take effect until the manufacturer's original warranty expires. After the expiration of the original warranty, the particular plan takes over for a specified period of time.
Extension Plans: Takes effect after the original warranty expires. It is usually purchased either along with the product or any time before the manufacturer's warranty expires. Most RepairTech Service Plans fall under this catagory.
Major Component Plans: Limited to the major or most expensive components of a particular product; such as the picture tube of a TV set. These, too, take over only on the expiration of the original manufacturer's warranty.
Replacement: For less-expensive items (usually under $100), providing for the replacement of the product with a new or refurbished product (check for the actual wording) if it should fail during a specified time.
Comprehensive: Usually patterned after the manufacturer's warranty to provide a continuation of the identical coverage and limitations of the original manufacturer's warranty for a specified period of time.
Deductibles: Generally, these require the customer to pay a specified amount toward each repair or service.
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A SERVICE CONTRACT?
Make sure the service contract fits your needs. But, don't be misled by the name of the contract. Compare extended service coverage with the terms of the original warranty. You may prefer lesser coverage if the policy is significantly less expensive; but, be sure. Check for exact coverage before purchasing. You specifically want to know the answer to these questions:
What is covered and what is not? All parts? All labor? Home service and pickup and delivery?
Are you paying to duplicate coverage under the manufacturer's warranty?
What, if any, are the exclusions? Are additional payments required for any services? How much?
What companies or service centers are authorized to do the repairs? Do you have a choice? Where are the repair facilities located?
Is the policy renewable? At what cost?
Is it valid if you move? Is it transferable if you sell the product?
Is the contract insured? In full, with no deductibles?
If possible, compare more than one service contract and ask the opinion of an independent servicer. RepairTech Service Contracts offer no-deductible coverage. If a unit is sent to one of our repair facilities for repair the consumer has no out of pocket repair expenses.
WHO GUARANTEES THE CONTRACT?
No matter how much coverage a service contract offers or how inexpensive it seems, it is worthless if you can't find anyone to honor it when you need service. RepairTech has tailored special policies that allows you to repair your unit at an authorized repair center, even though they may not be part of the RepairTech Service Center network. That means, that in the event RepairTech does not have an affiliated service center in your area, a local repair center will usually be acceptable.
WHO WILL PAY FOR ANY REQUIRED REPAIRS?
Will the retail store be responsible? If so, verify that it's in the contract or get it in writing. What will happen if the store goes out of business? If the manufacturer is responsible, is it one with a good reputation that can be expected to be around for a long time? Is it a third-party service contract company? If so, is it a reliable one with sufficient financial backing or insurance to guarantee performance? RepairTech is bonded and insured so you can be assured that once the RepairTech Service Contract goes into effect you're protected and served!
IMPROVING YOUR ODDS
Look at the Extended Service Contract provider's record at the national or local Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection agency. Also, get the opinion of your regular service company. RepairTech, a member of several civic, business and trade organizations, has been in business since the '90's. We're a stable company that experienced, and is continuing to experience phenomenal growth in the last few years. We are here to ensure that all your repair needs are met for many years to come.
IS IT REALLY BROKEN?
Make sure the unit is actually broken. If a fully operational product is sent for service, it is more than likely that a service charge will be incurred. Be sure the power and any antenna, video, audio, or cable plugs are properly connected. Make sure that the battery(s) are fully charged. Consult your operations manual for hints on consumer-adjustments and operations. If possible, connect another unit or a lamp to the receptacle to test the power source. Do whatever you can to be sure that the unit, itself, is at fault.
YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY
Most warranties or service contracts do not cover services that are not product fault-related; that is, they do not pay for cosmetic repairs, services to connect or adjust equipment or if the trouble is elsewhere (as in a bad videocassette, cable company failure, trouble at the transmitter, faulty computer program, computer virus, lint in the dryer filter, etc.). Remember, if someone checks your unit, especially if they come to your home or office to do it, and the unit is operational, they will more than likely charge you for the diagnosis.
DON'T TAMPER WITH DANGER
Whatever you do, don't be tempted to go into the unit to make repairs or internal adjustments. If you break something or create additional problems, you may void all or part of your warranty and/or service contract coverage. Besides, the sharp edges and voltage that are present in most appliances and electronic equipment are very dangerous and the current can even be fatal.
WHO WILL SERVICE IT?
If the name of a service center is indicated on the contract or a list of names is provided with the service contract, more than likely those are the only places you can have yor unit serviced and still remain covered by the contract. Remeber, unauthorized repairs will more than likely void both the manufacturer's warranty and any extended service contract you may have. You will have to go to the manufacturer first while the product is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty. If the service contract documents the steps necessary to initiate a claim or repair request, make sure that you follow the proper procedure. If the service contract Administrator's telephone number is on the contract, be sure to contact the Administrator before initiating repairs. If none of these conditions are true and you have a regular repair company that you trust, determine if they are authorized to repair your unit for the manufacturer or the contract administrator. If not, call the store where you purchased the unit or the extended service contract. If that doesn't work, and if it's in warranty, look in the Yellow Pages telephone directory; first under that product category (television, audio, freezers, etc.). Then, look for the list of those performing "authorized service" under the manufacturer's brand.
DO YOU NEED A SERVICE RECEIPT?
Yes. Even if you are dealing with the store where you bought the product or with a company that you normally trust for service, it's good practice to retain the paperwork associated with the sale. The company could suffer a disaster (fire, flood, theft) or go out of business.
WHAT SHOULD BE ON THE RECEIPT?
Make sure the receipt lists:
Your product's make, model and serial number.
The name, address and telephone number of the store.
The name and signature of the person accepting the unit.
The kind of trouble you are having.
What will be covered under warranty or the service contract and to what extent.
Also, if there will be any charges, ask for an estimate, or a "guesstimate," of the repair costs.
WHAT IS AN ESTIMATE?
An "estimate" is defined as "an opinion or judgment of an approximate value." However, many people think of an "estimate" as a quoted fixed price. A "guesstimate" is what many servicers refer to as a reasonable, non-binding estimate of the cost of repairs, or a general range of anticipated repair costs. It is an educated guess, based upon the symptoms compared to the company's basic repair rates of the probable minimum and maximum cost of repair.
CAN I GET AN EXACT PRICE QUOTE ON THE REPAIR?
It is practically impossible to get the exact price of the total repair until the unit is completely inspected and restored to operating condition. Inspection includes the mechanics, the circuitry and all other non-cosmetic parts of the unit. In other words, the unit must be repaired before the exact cost can be known. Considerable expert technical time, the use of expensive test equipment, and even some replacement parts may have been irretrievably expended by then. The service provider, to recover these costs, usually charges a flat, minimum fee to prepare an exact price quote or a detailed analysis of the probable repair costs, sometimes referred to as a bench fee. (This is what some people expect an "estimate" to be.)
Most service organizations can give you the approximate 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.
SUMMARY
A warranty or service contract should make you feel comfortable about your new product purchase. It should shield you from the worries associated with the high cost of replacement and/or repairs. With RepairTech, a company that is: bonded and insured, a member of several civic, business and trade organizations and a company in touch with it's customers and community, you're sure to be Protected and Served.
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