Tuesday 24 June 2014

The Changing Face Of Extended Service Warranties

Extended service warranties were meant to be insurance contracts that retailers sold to consumers to cover repairs on products that were either not covered by the manufacturer's warranty or that went into effect after the manufacturer's warranty expired. In theory this was and is still a great idea that should have protected consumers and increased profits for retailers. In the past however, the warranty business gained a mixed reputation for leaving some consumers holding the bag. Consumers were less likely to buy warranties on electronics and retailers were losing out on all the potential profits. But that is old news. Today, consumers and retailers alike are opting in on service warranties for a variety of reasons and benefits.

Today's Warrantech service plans are an upgrade from the past and offer better services for customers — whether it is in customer service, product repairs or product replacements. Shawn DuBravac, CEA's chief economist and senior director of research says "The whole service environment has changed. It's no longer just about increasing margins, but also improving the customer experience. You want your customers to be happy and to come back," he recently told TWICE.

This expanding definition may be raising the bar on consumer expectations of their warranty coverage. Some service contracts now include such perks as 24-hour/seven days a week technical support. Consumers can tap online resources that are at once intuitive and automated and give technicians remote access for real-time troubleshooting and fixes. Plus some contracts offer protection for previously uncovered circumstances such as accidental damage and typically exempt services such as installation, says the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

These consumer-friendly upgrades appeal to a key CE demographic, millennial. The young consumers are dependent on their mobile devices, and those products have a greater chance of sustaining drops, spills and other accidental damage precisely because of their portability. As a consequence, millennials are more inclined than preceding generations to insure their products with repair and replacement plans. CEA research shows that these consumers are not only open to buying protection plans but want to buy them to protect their most important possession — their mobile devices.

For more information about Warrantech free vist here:http://www.slideshare.net/warrantech

Monday 16 June 2014

Warrantech and Worldwide TechServices Partner to Provide Extended Service Contracts for Consumer Electronics Products

Warrantech Consumer Product Services, Inc. (WCPS), a leading independent provider of service contracts and after-market warranties on consumer electronic products and home appliances, announced a new agreement with Worldwide TechServices. Based in Tewksbury, Mass., Worldwide TechServices is a global leader in delivering services and solutions on a variety of electronic products.

Another first for Warrantech, this unique contract allows an independent repair company to sell extended service plans (ESPs) on products that are out of warranty.  This agreement will now enable Worldwide TechServices to sell Warrantech-backed extended service plans on out-of-warranty flat panel TVs that the company has serviced and certified to be in good working condition.  Warrantech will administer the new program, and provide a number of multi-year coverage options on all qualifying TVs.

“As the newest addition to Warrantech’s rapidly expanding list of clients, this is an exciting opportunity,” said Joel San Antonio, CEO and president of Warrantech Corporation, the parent company of WCPS.  “With more than 3,000 employees working in 50 countries, Worldwide TechServices repairs and maintains in excess of three million PC, printers, servers, satellites and LCDs each year.  Putting an independent company like Worldwide TechServices in a position to sell ESPs to a new market segment is a tremendous opportunity for Warrantech, and we are pleased to put our marketing and technological muscle behind an organization that is making such a big impact on the service industry.”

“Warrantech is an A-rated provider with an outstanding reputation, and we recognize the value that an ESP offers our customers in terms of cost savings and service,” said Wes Oldenburg, vice president sales and client management for Worldwide TechServices.  “Our service technicians make more than 9,000 service calls every day, providing customers with the highest levels of responsiveness, technical expertise and professionalism around the world.  Along with Warrantech, we’re committed to evolving our services to support the rapidly advancing consumer electronics industry, making this partnership a win-win for both us and our customers.”

“We constantly strive to create and implement specialized programs to help our clients better service their customers,” San Antonio noted.  “Our ability to get new coverage to market quickly is one of the reasons Warrantech continues to dominate the service contract industry, and the record growth of our client base proves it.  Since 2009, more than 1,800 new dealers signed and began selling Warrantech’s extended service plans,” he added.

About Warrantech:

Warrantech Corporation administers and markets service contracts and after-market warranties on automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, homes, computer and computer peripherals for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. The company continues to expand its domestic and global penetration, and now provides its services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Latin America.

For more information about Warrantech free vist here:https://www.facebook.com/warrantech

Monday 9 June 2014

Ken Cranes Signs Four-Year Contract with Warrantech

Warrantech Corporation, a leading independent provider of service contracts and after-market warranties, announced that a four-year agreement has been signed with Ken Crane’s Home Entertainment, Inc. (“Ken Cranes”), a large regional electronics retailer based in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne, Calif.

Family-owned and operated since 1948, Ken Cranes is known as the “big screen headquarters” on the West Coast. The service contract Warrantech developed exclusively for Ken Cranes is packed with enhanced features designed to provide full coverage for the next generation of home electronics. Following the effective date of the contract on June 1, the retailer started offering new private label service contracts to customers wanting to assure the ongoing reliability and service of expensive home theater systems and automation equipment.

“For service-oriented businesses like Ken Cranes, offering comprehensive coverage on televisions and other consumer electronics is an excellent way for specialty retailers to retain an advantage over larger ‘big box’ stores,” said Joel San Antonio, CEO and president of Warrantech Corporation. “Ken Cranes has an established reputation with a loyal client base, and Warrantech’s preferred service contracts will help increase long-term customer satisfaction by protecting expensive electronics purchases in the event of breakage or failure. In addition, the incremental revenue generated through the sale of service contracts will make a significant contribution to the retailer’s bottom line.”

“Providing quality merchandise, unmatched service at the lowest possible price is the foundation of our business,” said Casey Crane, president of Ken Cranes. “Our customers expect the best, and we deliver. Customers that purchase high-end televisions and advanced home theater systems expect them to perform reliably without the worry of expensive repairs, should a component break or malfunction. We did a lot of research before selecting Warrantech. Hands down, Warrantech provides the best service contract with the most comprehensive features in the industry. I am confident that with Warrantech, our customers are protected by the best extended service coverage in the market today.”

About Warrantech:

Warrantech Home Service Company, a division of Warrantech Consumer Product Services, Inc. started in 1990, offers one of the most comprehensive home warranty products in the United States. For more information on home warranties, refer to: www.warrantechassurance.com. Based in Bed ford, Texas, Warrantech specializes in the administration and marketing of contracts and after-market warranties on homes, automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, computer and computer peripherals, jewelry and furniture for retailers, distributors, internet providers and manufacturers. Acquired by H.I.G. Capital in 2007, the company continues to expand its domestic and global penetration, and now provides its services in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.warrantech.com.


Wednesday 4 June 2014

Appliance Direct Signs Three-Year Contract with Warrantech

Warrantech Consumer Product Services, Inc. (WCPS), a leading independent provider of service contracts and after-market warranties, announced that a three-year agreement has been signed with Appliance Direct. Based in Melbourne, Fla., Appliance Direct is one of the largest independent home appliance retailers in the state of Florida.

As one of the most recent additions to Warrantech’s expanding list of clients, Appliance Direct specializes exclusively in the sales of kitchen and laundry room appliances. Developed exclusively to provide coverage for Appliance Direct customers, Warrantech’s service contract is packed with features designed to provide full coverage for the advanced generation home appliances.

Appliance Direct has begun offering private label service contracts to customers that want to insure the ongoing reliability and service of their expensive home appliances.
“Providing exemplary customer service is what differentiates successful retailers and brings more customers into the store,” said Joel San Antonio, CEO and president of Warrantech Corporation, the parent company of WCPS. “Our mission is to create programs that help dealers continue to grow their businesses by providing the highest level of service, in addition to enabling them to generate significant incremental revenue through sale of extended coverage plans.”

“Appliance Direct has built a solid reputation on providing low priced home appliances combined with the best customer service available in the Florida market,” said Sam Pak, CEO of Appliance Direct. “Our customers expect their appliances to perform reliably, and they don’t want to worry about expensive repair bills in the event of product breakage or malfunction. We believe service contract coverage enhances customer satisfaction, which results in more repeat business and increased profits through warranty sales. Warrantech’s leadership position in extended coverage administration gave us confidence knowing that our customers are protected by the best extended service coverage in the industry.”

“With more than 1,500 new dealers signing on to sell Warrantech’s extended service plans in the last 12 months, the company is enjoying tremendous success,” added San Antonio. In addition to independent dealers such as Appliance Direct, Warrantech continues to expand market penetration through key partnerships with some of the country’s largest buying groups which include Pro-Group, Nationwide Marketing Group, America’s Hometown Brand Center, Brand Source, MARTA, and ICE.


About Warrantech:

Warrantech Home Service Company, a division of Warrantech Consumer Product Services, Inc. started in 1990, offers one of the most comprehensive home warranty products in the United States. For more information on home warranties, refer to: www.warrantechassurance.com. Based in Bedford, Texas, Warrantech specializes in the administration and marketing of contracts and after-market warranties on homes, automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, computer and computer peripherals, jewelry and furniture for retailers, distributors, internet providers and manufacturers. Acquired by H.I.G. Capital in 2007, the company continues to expand its domestic and global penetration, and now provides its services in the United States and Canada.