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

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.

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.

Combat Weather-Related Car Trouble With A Vehicle Service Contract

This has been a winter of extremes. While a number of cities in the eastern United States set records for frigid temperatures, snow accumulation and maintenance costs, western cities like Las Vegas and Tucson reported their warmest winters on record. The effects have been immediately noticeable to anyone who has had to endure the elements. But what might not be as apparent is the effect that these excessive record-setting temperatures can have on your vehicle.

“When consumers buy a new car, they may not be thinking about how weather extremes can affect the life of crucial car parts,” said Tim Meenan, executive director of the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). “No one can do anything to control the weather or its impact on vehicles, but extended warranties can make a tremendous difference in getting past those problems. They’re the best protection for your wallet when extreme weather causes damage that requires a trip to the repair shop.”

Warrantech can also provide you with added peace of mind in case you find yourself stranded in a remote area during a snowstorm or heat wave. Plus, it allows you to protect your investment, increase your car’s value and make upfront payments that fit within your budget so you can avoid having to pay for any large or unexpected repairs in the future.

The SCIC points out that the winter and summer seasons are the busiest times of year for car repair shops. Salt, sand, UV rays and ice are just a few of the culprits that can lead to rusting, corrosion and expensive repairs to core components.

Brian Hafer, vice president of marketing for AutoMD.com, adds that extreme temperatures are a car killer, which makes regular maintenance all the more important. “Not following the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual is very common,” says Hafer. “People have these repair issues because they didn't consult their owner's manual. Typically, it happens more often with younger drivers because they just aren't aware.”

What You Can Do About It

Besides having a reliable vehicle service contract and establishing a routine maintenance schedule, here are a few simple tips to help extend the life of your vehicle and save you money in the long run.

  Check your antifreeze.  Not having fresh coolant can cause your water pump to freeze during the winter and overheat your engine in the summer.

 Examine all fluid levels.  Oil, transmission, brake and power steering fluids can all thicken in cold weather, while excessive heat can cause fluid loss.

  Make sure your battery is fully charged.  Batteries get stressed in extreme temperatures. If yours is more than three years old, consider replacing it.

Consider an engine block heater for the winter months.  At the very least, always warm up your car engine before driving to allow oil to circulate properly.

Keep the gas tank half full.  This will help you avoid frozen gas lines.

Inspect your tires.  Cold weather can cause tires to lose several pounds of air pressure and searing heat can lead to cracking.

 Clean the windshield before using your wipers.  Ice can tear wiper blades and restrict motion, which can also tear up the wiper motor and pop the arm.

Keep extra fluids in your car.  Extra coolant and windshield washer fluid are always good to have on hand in case of an emergency.

Peace of Mind: the Ultimate Add-On

Sean Stapleton, president & CEO of Warrantech, recently spoke with Dealerscope magazine about the importance of extended service plan programs for retailers. The following is an excerpt, providing a brief glimpse of what the company has in store for 2014 to help businesses increase their extended service plan offerings and give customers the most value for their money and a worry-free shopping experience.

Warrantech Corporation works closely with its retail partners, field training teams and consumer focus groups to develop innovative programs designed to drive extended service plan sales. Through this collaborative effort, new program offerings are developed and tested. Once beta testing has been completed, successful programs are rolled out to Warrantech partners.

Based on recent beta-testing results, Warrantech is making available to its partners a number of dynamic offerings designed to increase both partner revenue and customer retention. One such offering is Warrantech’s Verify & Protect program, which is a real-time missed point-of-sale extended service plan program for online retailers. This program utilizes multichannel marketing solutions to offer customers who have not purchased an extended service plan as part of their product purchase an additional opportunity to do so on a real-time basis. Additionally, the program is designed to create a white-glove experience for customers by providing them with real-time purchase detail and shipping confirmations on their recent purchases.

Warrantech Signs New Contract with Queen City Audio Video Appliances

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 that the signing of a new agreement with Queen City Audio•Video•Appliances (Queen City). Based in Charlotte, N.C., Queen City currently has 13 stores strategically located throughout North and South Carolina, and is recognized as the largest independent dealer of televisions, video equipment and home appliances in the region.

As the newest addition to Warrantech’s rapidly expanding list of clients, Queen City specializes in selling the finest lines and latest technology in televisions, appliances and home theater systems. The agreement with Warrantech, effective Nov. 1, gives Queen City customers access to private label service contracts that are packed with features designed to provide full coverage to individuals that want to insure the ongoing reliability of next generation home appliances and audio visual equipment.

“We create programs that help dealers grow their businesses by providing a higher level of service to their customers,” said Joel San Antonio, CEO and president of Warrantech Corporation, the parent company of WCPS. “Providing name-brand products at competitive prices, coupled with good service is what brings customers into the store. At Warrantech, our programs are designed to keep products serviced and in good operating condition, while helping our clients generate significant incremental revenue through the sale of extended coverage plans.”

“The most important product we offer is service,” said Roddey Player, CEO of Queen City Audio•Video•Appliances. “We are committed to providing unsurpassed service for our customers, so when it came to warranty coverage, we turned to a recognized leader – Warrantech. With more than two decades of experience and thousands of satisfied customers, we know Queen City patrons can count on Warrantech to provide the best extended service coverage in the industry.”

“During the past 12 months, more than 1,500 new dealers have signed on to sell Warrantech’s extended service plans,” added San Antonio. “In addition to independent dealers such as Queen City, 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. For more information, visit www.warrantech.com.

Warrantech Adds Development and Training Program to its Automotive Sector Offerings

BEDFORD, Texas (Feb. 5, 2011) – Warrantech Corporation (Warrantech) today announced a new service capability from its automotive sector, as well as the addition of two sales and business development executives to the organization.

Warrantech’s new service offering, a unique training and development program, is geared toward automotive, powersports, and recreational vehicle dealers to help diagnose and cure profit leaks in dealerships. Utilizing in-depth evaluations of a dealership, programs are custom-tailored to drive sales and profits to new levels.

“We’re bridging the gap between the classroom and showroom with this new service offering,” said Dominic Sansone, president, automotive sector, Warrantech. “We become an effective consultative resource for dealerships by designing custom programs utilizing the latest technology that not only help improve their profitability, but generate enthusiasm, positive attitudes and an overall commitment to excellence among the sales , finance and service staffs.”

R. Michael Burgholzer, Warrantech’s new senior vice president, dealer development, is managing the dealer training and development program. Burgholzer brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership positions within the automotive industry.

“We’re excited and fortunate to add a talent like Mike to the Warrantech organization. His experience and expertise will allow us to focus on developing a successful program that addresses a growth area within the automotive industry,” Sansone said.

Warrantech also added Chris Murphy as executive vice president of sales for its automotive sector, reporting to Sansone. Murphy is a 23-year veteran of the automotive industry with a primary focus on developing sales and market strategy for automotive products in the general agent and dealer markets.


About Warrantech

Warrantech Corporation administers and markets service contracts and after-market warranties on automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, computers and computer peripherals for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. Warrantech is a subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., a multinational property and casualty insurance holding company specializing in coverage for small businesses and extended warranties, with the AmTrust Group of insurance carriers rated “A” (Excellent), Financial Size IX by A.M. Best Company.