Meko Press Releases

Turbulent Times for Warranty Providers

DATE: 25^th February 2003

Reducing product prices and increasing reliability of monitors is causing uncertainty in the monitor warranty service marketplace, according to Meko's new report on CRT and LCD Monitor Warranty in Europe.

As the market price of CRT monitors has fallen rapidly over the past few years and the price of LCD monitors continues to drop, the cost of providing warranty services is an increasing percentage of the product cost that must be covered by the manufacturers.

At the same time, LCD monitors now make up over 30% of the total number of monitors sold in Europe. Their improved reliability is having a significant positive impact on manufacturers' repair costs but this reduces the number of returns and revenue for the third party service companies. Also, the significant reduction of the CRT monitor warranty base of the next few years will also drive a reduction in overall returns under warranty for the service companies.

Meko's report addresses today's key issues for monitor manufacturers and service companies, including the range of warranty services currently available, analysis of monitor sales across Europe, and cost and pricing comparisons. It also contains forecasts for the amount of service work available that take into account the spread of LCD monitors and the different reliability compared to CRTs.

Bob Raikes of Meko commented, "This is the first report in Europe to provide much needed assistance for all monitor makers and service companies who provide warranty services. It will help them set price and service levels and guide them in choosing suitable partners. Service is one of the few ways to differentiate monitor products in the current price-sensitive marketplace, and our report will help manufacturers to strike the right balance between quality of service and cost".

To order the report or find out more e-mail sales@meko.co.uk or call +44 (0)1276 22677

Ends

Notes for editors:
For more information about Meko, or for a copy of the Executive Summary of the DisplayCast Special Report on CRT and LCD Monitor Warranty in Europe contact:
E-mail: bobr@meko.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1276 22677

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