[lcaillo]

Understand that the service you get from Panasonic or any other vendor is only as good as the local provider that serves as their ASC (authorized service center). I am not sure how they are making their service program work at this point in time, but based on my previous experience with them, I am skeptical. Probably better than the "second tier" vendors you mentioned, but the implication that the mainstream TV companies are not sharing some of the same issues is misleading.

My point is that one needs to check out the local service options BEFORE buying. If there is an ASC for a product that has a good relationship with the manfacturer, is experienced on the product, well trained, and has an excellent history of customer relations, then there is reason to favor that product over others. Check out the service options BEFORE buying. If more consumers asked these questions up front, it would begin to get the attention of the manufacturers.