Question Looking for a repair estimate for extended warranty

[Anonymous]

The Westinghouse TV I purchased less than 2 years ago are having issues which seems to be panel-related. It is covered by Discover extended warranty and I'll need a repair estimate to file the claim.

In the request for the extended warranty, I have to submit the document for:
Itemized repair estimate from a factory-authorized service provider or a statement indicating that the item cannot be repaired along with evidence that the Covered Purchase has actually been replaced or repaired

Does anyone know how I can get this repair estimate for a reasonable price, and which are considered 'factory-authorized service provider'?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Where you bought it, yelp, google "westinghouse authorized repair" 

[Brian_Earl_Spilner]

If you're a Best Buy Total Tech Support member, they do c.o.d. diags for TVs. Cost would be $80 I think, just to look at it and give you a quote. Unfortunately, if you're not a member, it costs $200 to sign up for a year outright, or $100 if Geek Squad is doing other work for you and they sign you up in home.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Where you bought it, yelp, google "westinghouse authorized repair" 

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Thanks@Anonymous ! I bought it at Best Buy, and it costs hundreds of dollars to just get an estimate from them, which may even be a higher price than the TV itself. I searched for Westinghouse authorizd repair, but they are all for appliances not electronics. Emailed Westinghouse and no reply. Really need help on what I could do. (btw will never buy a TV from them again for sure!)

[Anonymous]

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@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

If you're a Best Buy Total Tech Support member, they do c.o.d. diags for TVs. Cost would be $80 I think, just to look at it and give you a quote. Unfortunately, if you're not a member, it costs $200 to sign up for a year outright, or $100 if Geek Squad is doing other work for you and they sign you up in home.

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Thanks @Brian_Earl_Spilner! The problem is that the TV cost only less than $300 and it'll cost more than that to just get the repair estimate, which I think the warranty won't pay for. I am trying to get an estimate for not too much money to still make it economically reasonable to claim for the warranty.

[Anonymous]

Yeah.... they're good for purchases sometimes when it comes to price but, not so much on the service side.

TV's are considered throw away items most of the time though when they easily cost as much to repair as they did to buy them initially.

What exaclty is the issue?  Sometimes it's as simple as pulling off the back panel and replacing the LED modules if it's a picture issue.  If it's a power issue the receptical probably needs some solder or replacement.  These 2 issues are fairly cheap to resolve with parts under $30 and a little youtubing to figure out how to do it.

Taking into consideration the costs of diagnosing and repairing outweighing the cost of the TV... a Statement as directed by Disco to replace it or cut you a check might be the easier option.  Alternatively check Yelp for TV repair shops.... probably going to be a ton cheaper than dealing with a big box since Westinghouse isn't responding.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Yeah.... they're good for purchases sometimes when it comes to price but, not so much on the service side.

TV's are considered throw away items most of the time though when they easily cost as much to repair as they did to buy them initially.

What exaclty is the issue?  Sometimes it's as simple as pulling off the back panel and replacing the LED modules if it's a picture issue.  If it's a power issue the receptical probably needs some solder or replacement.  These 2 issues are fairly cheap to resolve with parts under $30 and a little youtubing to figure out how to do it.

Taking into consideration the costs of diagnosing and repairing outweighing the cost of the TV... a Statement as directed by Disco to replace it or cut you a check might be the easier option.  Alternatively check Yelp for TV repair shops.... probably going to be a ton cheaper than dealing with a big box since Westinghouse isn't responding.

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I am techie myself, and have diagnozed it to be a panel problem, which costs as much as the TV to repair. I'm also trying to understand this Statement directed by Discover--Can I write it myself, or does it have to come from an authorized service provider as well?

[Anonymous]

Statement needs to be from a repair shop most likely on some sort of letterhead or invoice.   If it's the panel and you can't do it on the cheap then it's time to hit Amazon for a replacement.  TCL 6 or 8 series are nice and don't cost an arm and a leg.  

[Anonymous]

Westinghouse has practically zero after-sales support. You won't find an authorized service center that won't charge you more than the cost of the TV. I had a Westinghouse as my first TV I bought (1080i/720p) and like a month after the warranty expired, it got burn in on both sides, which shouldn't happen with an LCD. Best Buy refused to replace it under the Geek Squad contract I had and Westinghouse wouldn't even work with me on a discounted repair despite them saying themselves that it was a known problem with those panels. 

Best to just get another TV and chalk it up as a lesson never to buy their products. They're cheap and meant to last no longer than their initial factory warranty. I have bought LG and Sony since then. 

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with you @Anonymous. It'll be the last Westinghouse TV I'll ever buy. I have extended warranty on my other TV's (other brands). One is almost 10 years old and has no problem at all. I should have got extended warranty but the website was not working well and only the TV order went through, and I only realized now.

Anyway I'm pretty unhappy with the brand. But since it is covered by extended warranty from Discover, it'll be nice to get my $300 back. Is there anything I could do at all?

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@Anonymous wrote:

Westinghouse has practically zero after-sales support. You won't find an authorized service center that won't charge you more than the cost of the TV. I had a Westinghouse as my first TV I bought (1080i/720p) and like a month after the warranty expired, it got burn in on both sides, which shouldn't happen with an LCD. Best Buy refused to replace it under the Geek Squad contract I had and Westinghouse wouldn't even work with me on a discounted repair despite them saying themselves that it was a known problem with those panels. 

Best to just get another TV and chalk it up as a lesson never to buy their products. They're cheap and meant to last no longer than their initial factory warranty. I have bought LG and Sony since then. 

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