MattG -
FYI, taking the word of a sales floor agent/manager is not the best direction as most of the staff are not trained to fully understand all of the plans they have to offer. Their job is to sell --- to bring in the dollar signs. Their job is to sell the plan with the product and provide the answers the consumers want to hear. When it comes to Flat Screens and 3D technology, do you seriously think you can get a replacement "technology for technology." Come on ... really?
After reading your complaint, it’s unfortunate the experience you encountered with Best Buy (BB) and their staff. The Black Tie Protection Plan uses the term "comparable" (or as good as) for a reason. And it's not just BB that does that. Any company that has a replacement/protection plan program uses jargon like this for business and legal reasons (cell phone companies are a perfect example of this). Technology changes all the time. It's a marketing scheme. You could purchase one item today and it's obsolete in two months. And the term isn't specific to price, product or in your case "quality" (as I am disagreeing with DanK's statement). BB is in business to gain a profit and if they can replace something as comparable, they will choose the best option that suits them whether it be comparable in price OR comparable in product. Once again, their concern is what is in stock today that is comparable to what you purchased two years ago. There is no way for BB to know what the level of technology will be, and how it is implemented in electronics, and base their protection plan around it. I would recommend re-reading what Allan-BBY states and how it was worded. I can tell you right now that the 3D sync feature is the smallest of their concerns. Why? Not only have other features of plasma TVs changed, as they continue to improve, but because the 3D feature has also changed drastically in the last two years. Most new plasma 3D models are larger than 42" anyway.
So with that being said, with your stated knowledge of the TV you purchased, it would seem that you were aware that the 3D sync feature, a feature that was not in high demand or tested to its full capacity when you purchased your TV, you should have been aware that additional accessories would have to be obtained in order to utilize the 3D feature. What makes you think that BB would have anything do to with the accessories that you had to purchase (your computer video cards and your hardware, etc.) for that specific feature of the TV you selected and purchased? They're not going to care. They don't make the TVs, they just sell them. That TV is considered to be "old 3D technology" and would require a converter box in order for the newer 3D formats to even be viewed on that model. Is that something that BB or Samsung should have to pay for too? In reference to your "unusable" external 3D peripherals, do you think that most of those peripherals would be able to be used on the newer 3D technology TVs? Guess what, newer 3D TVs, only a few manufacturers and models will even include a single pair of specific 3D glasses that are required for these newer TVs! 3D technology is a feature that is still trying to be perfected for televisions as is still considered a 'rare technology' and comes with dollar signs. If your sole intention of a plasma TV is the 3D feature with no additional out of pocket costs, I would suggest that you save your money and watch a 3D movie at your local movie theatre.
Regarding inputs, there are numerous manufacturers and different models that have different number of inputs on plasma TVs. A simple change in model can change from one TV from one TV having 2 to another TV having 4 inputs. With all the different game consoles, DVD/Blue-Ray Players and home theatre systems out there, there will always be something that will not have the luxury of being directly connected 24/7. If you can't simply disconnect and reconnect a device from your TV, perhaps you need to set up your entertainment center differently for easier access.
Based on your browsing of recent TVs, in attempt to find a similar TV, looking at 50" screen TVs was probably not the best direction to take on your claim, unless you were willing to pay out of pocket. Whether or not you were trying to prove a point to the BB employee regarding the TV being "phased out," there is no way BB would put you into a 50" TV because that TV had "comparable features" regardless if the price difference was $50 or $5. In addition, that's an 8" screen size difference and you were looking around during their holiday sales and the TV was probably on sale. And what happened to your huge concern regarding the number of inputs? Your mention of the Samsung 50" 7000 series only mentions it's 3D capability (an enabled feature), because this series only has 4 inputs (which is common in most plasma TVs). So your main concern is all about the 3D feature and getting into the newer 3D technology at no additional cost to you. It comes with no surprise that you have no complaints that there will be a difference in screen size, unless it was less than 42" which you can't find in newer plasma TVs.
You continue to mention that the cost of the original TV was $899 and how the TV BB is willing to put you in is at a loss to you. If the information that Allan-BBY provides is correct, you purchased the TV around the holidays and again was more than likely on sale. Allan states you PAID $674.99 and you proceeded to state you got it a "Power Price" which was a marked down price . The original sale price, $899, is NOT what is taken into consideration when it comes to a replacement comparable TV, only the dollar amount paid for the TV. Who cares about the semantics of "price of the televison" or the "purchase price," you paid less than $899 for the TV. Honestly, that's not even the actual manufacturing cost; it's the price BB was selling it for. And being two years old, with older technology, your TV isn't even worth what you paid.
In addition, (as you colored in red) Allan-BBY states: ... and when possible they should be offering a replacement TV made by the same manufacturer as long as that TV is at all comparable ..." As I mentioned previously, you have to understand that Allan worded his response very c a re f u l l y. I'm sure this response was taken, or closely taken, right from the terms and conditions of the program. Allan also states: " ... with the most comparable TV that we currently carry as determined by us. Although we try to match ..." As well as: " ... the original price paid for your TV would not be taken into consideration ... " (Note the NOT word). The model Allan indicated as comparable, PN42C, IS comparable to the PN42A you purchased. They both are made by Samsung, both are 42" plasma screens, both are 720p (all newer TVs are) and both have the same or similar features. Again, your big fit is the 3D sync feature which just happened to be on a 42" screen that was made two years ago with older 3D technology. Welcome to technology two years later. It's changed. Samsung changed their TVs and what is offered on their models. If there's anybody worth complaining to, it would be Samsung for not putting the almighty 3D sync feature on the 2010 42" plasma models.
I'm not quite sure where you've been looking, but I found the exact TV you have, Samsung PN42A450P1DXZA (2008), for $600-$700, not $950-$1100. You must have been looking at retailers that don't have a high demand for this TV, as this specific model is not common anymore, and are padding their price to try to get more money out of a unknowledgeable consumer. This has nothing to do with the TV not depreciating and I would be amazed if this TV is still available to purchase, brand new, within the next 6 months. Actually, out of the three remaining plasma manufacturers, Panasonic is the leading manufacturer for the 42" plasma screen with their Viera series.
In response to your several blogs about the so-called "customer service" you received from BB, there is always three-sides to every two-sided story. To have several employees insult, berate, condescend, etc. etc., all at the same time, there had to be attitude coming from your direction as well. And based on your main complaint, and your blogs that are accessed by BB as well, I'm sure there was attitude coming from all directions. So, I wouldn't play a saint or victim in this situation. Someone who has an expensive non functioning plasma TV with a protection plan providing options that are unacceptable to the consumer, there's going to be an attitude. And from what you have described, I doubt you would have received an apology or a sincere apology for that matter. And recording of a verbal conversation between you and the BB staff, especially without their permission, is not a way to win the hearts, or your claim, with the BB Corporate Office.
I am in no way saying that you are wrong for wanting what you had, but you have to step outside of what you are being told by sales reps and the pamphlet you received and realize that your request of getting into a 50" Samsung plasma 3D "comparable" TV won't be met. I recommend to stop being a baby and take the instore credit, because the comparable model doesn't have 3D, and buy a different TV and see if you can sell the "unusable" external peripherals. IF BB has provided you an option, that has 3D, to silence your complaint about "unfairness" in their options, then I would consider yourself lucky. And no, I don't work or represent BB, as I have my own opinions about their plans; I just find your complaint redonculus.
By the way, your perspective example, regarding the purchase of a vehicle, is irrelevant to your situation. A dealership, new or used, wouldn't replace a vehicle because it doesn't work anymore or has a faulty feature or part. Nor would the insurance company replace the vehicle. Why else do you think that when a vehicle is in an accident, and is considered a total loss, the insurance company pays out based on Blue Book value and not put the driver into a "comparable vehicle?" Do you think blue book cares if you put headers or a nitrous system on your Ford Mustang? Those parts are features to enhance vehicle performance and may not be included on a stock Ford Mustang. Now if the stock Mustang was sent to let's say Jack Roush or Shelby for a performance upgrade before being sold to the public, then if the part needed to be fixed or replaced, the parts are replaced from Roush or Shelby from money out of the consumer's pocket! It's unheard of an entire vehicle, covered under manufacturer warranty, is rendered 100% inoperable where the dealership would have to put the driver into a different vehicle. By the way, most vehicle parts can be sold, if a different vehicle is purchased, or just buy another Mustang.
