Warranty Company Repair Tech Vanishes
Do you have an extended warranty contract with Repair Tech? Go get it and check. Complaints are piling up about this company and they are no where to be found.
We have received several complaints regarding Repair Tech over the years, and when we did inquire they made good on their service. But recently it looks as though things have just gone downhill.
Wil Perez bought a 40 inch LCD flat screen TV back in 2007. To protect his investment he purchased a 3 year extended warranty for 200 dollars. Everything was going fine until about a month ago, his TV started having problems. The signal would go in and out. He tested the TV multiple times and it is still not working properly.
To make matters worse, when Wil tried to use his extended warranty it so happens that Repair Tech, is no longer in business. Their phones have been disconnected and their website disabled. We looked them up on the Better Business Bureau and NJ Consumer Affairs website only to find hundreds of complaints.
So where does that leave Wil? Well, at one point in June of 2008, AMT Warranty Corporation in Ohio, started underwriting for the company. That doesn't mean AMT "bought" out Repair Tech. It just means that they were trying to assist Repair Tech honor their warranties during a specific time frame.
We spoke with AMT Warranty Corporation who explained to us that they have since terminated their relationship with Repair Tech BUT are still standing behind their obligations.
"We'd like to assure consumers who purchased AMT warranty extended service plans through Repair Tech between June 1, 2008 and January 12, 2009...their claims have and will continue to be processed by AMT Warranty without delay per the terms of the warranty agreement.”
Any Repair Tech extended service plan purchased before or after those dates is not the responsibility of AMT Warranty.
Unfortunately, for Wil he bought his warranty before AMT's involvement leaving him with a useless warranty and a broken TV. We told him file with the BBB and NJ Dept. of Consumer Affairs. Both agencies have received hundred of complaints, and are still reviewing them right now. If you are having a problem with Repair Tech, they encourage you to file a complaint so they can see how widespread this situation is.
In the meantime, there’s still is an on-going debate about whether extended warranties and service contracts are worth the up-front cost.
The bottom line is that consumers need to make sure they completely understand the terms.
According to the Federal Trade Commission's website to prevent problems.
Read the warranty before you buy. When online, look for hyperlinks to the full warranty or to an address where you can write to get a free copy. Understand exactly what protection the warranty gives you. If a copy of the warranty is available when shopping online, print it out when you make your purchase and keep it with your records.
Consider the reputation of the company offering the warranty. Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have questions or problems. If you're not familiar with the company, ask your local or state consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau if they have any complaints against the company. A warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind it.
Save your receipt and file it with the warranty. You may need it to document the date of your purchase or prove that you're the original owner in the case of a nontransferable warranty.
Perform required maintenance and inspections.
Use the product according to the manufacturer's instructions. Abuse or misuse may void your warranty coverage.
For more advice or to file a complaint, go to the FTC, BBB and the NJ Dept. of Consumer Affairs.
Comments: 13
I Have warranty with this company, I didn't know they went under. Thank you Howard and Wil for exposing these criminals.
Thanks for the Heads up Wil, ill ask many questions now that you have brought this underground scam to light.
I hope everyone gets compensated especially you Wil, thanks for taking your time.
I sent my camera, a Nikon Coolpix 8800 to Repairtech in January, 2009 for simple cleaning, covered under my five-year warranty with them that I purchased when I bought the camera. I called them first to get an RMA (return merchandise authorization). They gave it to me, told me to send them the camera, and told me I would have the camera back in about a week or so from when they received it. Well, it's mid-March now and I haven't heard a thing from them about the camera, which has apparently disappeared.
Southern Photo Technical Service, a Authorized Service Center in N. Miami Beach Florida was one of several repair centers for Repairtech Inc. that never got paid for several months of repairs they provided to Repairtech customers. Southern Photo understands the customers loss of value! We have established a Warranty Resolution Center to assist repairtech customers with photographic equipment repair needs. Please visit http://www.warrantyresolutioncenter.com for details on how we can assist you with your camera repair needs. Sorry, we cannot assist you with TV, computer, stereos or GPS units. We can only assist customers with digital cameras and other photographic equipment repair needs.
I checked our database for Mr. Frey's lost camera. I am sorry to report that Mr. Frey's camera never made it to Southern Photo in N. Miami Beach Florida. It maybe at another repair shop somewhere. If anyone else is missing cameras sent to Repairtech Inc., please contact us at our Warranty Resolution Center so we can check if your camera ever made it to our shop in N. Miami Beach Florida. Visit our Warranty Resolution web-site at http://www.warrantyresolutioncenter.com
We can only assist owners of digital cameras and other photographic equipment. We do not service TV's, GPS, stereos or computers!!
I purchased an extended warantee from RepairTechinc when I bought my Konica Z5 new. I had it repaired twice with no problems. When I contacted them in November 08 for another repair I got an email to send them the info and I would be given a local repair contact which never appeared. After numerous attempts to contact them RepairTechInc stopped responding. I still have a year left on my five year contract but SOL trying to have them honor their service plan.
I bought a Repairtech 3 year guarantee for my 42" LCD TV. My TV broke today (Color issue) and I tried to contact them without any success. Phones are not longer in service neither their webpage/email addresses. I googled Repairtech to realize was a scam and they are not linger in service. I paid $300+ for the extended warranty. What can I do? are the owners of these company run away with thousands of customers money without pay anything?
Thanks for sharing this info post.
Please help me out if you can. My D-70 is needing work now and the extended RepairTech warranty appears like it is a fake. I bought the 5 year extended and it has a year left on it. Any info on how to retreive our money from these people will be most appriciated. How about the BBB or some other agency up there to report them to ??Thanks
I purchased my extended warrenty in Dec 2007. I now have an issue with my 65" Mitsubishi TV and cannot contact RepairTech, Inc. Does anyone have any luck with filing with the BBB or the Attorney Generals Office in New Jersey?
The weblink is gone and none of the toll free numbers works either.
Anyone have any luck to get their money back? Have the complaints have any effect?
I purchased my extended warrenty in Dec 2007. I now have an issue with my 65" Mitsubishi TV and cannot contact RepairTech, Inc. Does anyone have any luck with filing with the BBB or the Attorney Generals Office in New Jersey?
The weblink is gone and none of the toll free numbers works either.
Anyone have any luck to get their money back? Have the complaints have any effect?
I purchased my extended warrenty in Dec 2007. I now have an issue with my 65" Mitsubishi TV and cannot contact RepairTech, Inc. Does anyone have any luck with filing with the BBB or the Attorney Generals Office in New Jersey?
The weblink is gone and none of the toll free numbers works either.
Anyone have any luck to get their money back? Have the complaints have any effect?