LG introduces Wirewize remote pay home theater tech support
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Best Buy must get some huge margins from its Geek Squad tech support service, because it seems like everyone wants to copy that model of overcharging noobs for help with tech installations and troubleshooting. Circuit City has Firedog, and Office Depot has Tech Depot Services. Now LG Electronics is trying something similar, but offering paid home theater support over the phone with its Wirewize service.
Total neophytes might click on "Want Live Help Now?", which takes users to the Wirewize store, where you're offered a variety of paid support packages, ranging from the $24.99 option for a 24-hour window of support up to the $119.99 year-long option. That support takes the form of 24/7 phone-based help. Those hours and the fact that it will help you with any manufacturer's products would seem to be the biggest selling point for this service.
Still, if you're paying for Wirewize, you've decided not to use Geek Squad or Firedog's in-person services and/or you've not figured out the manual and/or not received help from the free phone support you can probably get from the manufacturers. Considering that the in-home services are more expensive, some people are manual-phobic, and manufacturers can point fingers at one another when setup problems occur, that does actually leave a potential market. On the other hand, why do you need a year's worth of support when Wirewize should be getting you set up properly the first time(s) you call? And really, isn't it a better all-around experience if you just invite your HD-obsessed friend/neighbor/relative over for some pizza and beer and have him/her figure out the problem and set your home theater up instead?