john hamilton wrote:
I'm just about to buy a Sony television for about £500 from ebuyer. A
friend says that LCD televisions are now very reliable. So is it really
worth paying extra for a five year guarantee?


IME no.

the manufacturer normally gives at least a year, and statistically, a TV
set or any piece of electronics is most reliable after any manufacturing
defects have been found (up to a year) and before wear and tear takes
its toll (5 years+).

The '5 year warranty' - actually a 2-5 year warranty, is extremely
profitable because it is a one in ten thousand chance that anyone will
actually claim on it. And it makes up all the margin the dealer has
discounted away to get your business in the first place :-)