09.08.2009 — Will the announcements of new custom-friendly programs from Sony ever end? Apparently not.

Sony is making a new dedication to the custom channel in the form of:

• Increased technical support
• A new fulfillment strategy
• A humongous booth at CEDIA Expo 2009

The latest announcement covers a new Advance Exchange warranty policy. There is nothing more frustrating for integrators in the field than dealing with an angry customer whose system has a glitch. You want to get it fixed fast. Many times, your ability to please that customer comes down to how quickly you can get a replacement unit, especially when it’s under warranty. Dealers need to be assured that their requests for replacement units will be heeded quickly.

In the past, resellers of Sony ES receivers had access to a comprehensive Advance Exchange warranty policy. Sony is now making that policy available to a multitude of equipment aimed at the custom installation market, including front projectors, its HomeShare HD multi-room distribution systems, and more.

All a dealer needs to do when he encounters a defective product is call Sony's installation hotline at (866-924-7669) and ask for a new product to be shipped out, either to the dealer’s office or directly to the job site. Sony pays for all shipping costs. For the replacement unit, the standard will be 2-Day shipping out to the dealer. Inoperable units will be sent via ground transportation back to Sony.

According to Neal Manowitz, director for the Sony Home Audio and Video division, the policy is a win-win for the dealers. “You get your replacement unit faster and easier, and you have a happy customer,” he adds.

This is all part of Sony's new commitment to the custom channel, which will be visible to attendees at CEDIA Expo 2009. Sony's gigantic 70x80-foot exhibit booth (No. 1409) will include personnel who will discuss how dealers can become part of Sony's authorized dealer network. Dealers can also sit down at the Sony stage in the booth to hear a presentation on the new program. A multitude of new products will be on display in the booth, of course, ranging from the two new 400-disc Blu-ray Megachangers to Bravia TVs to HomeShare HD.

There also will be a major announcement from Sony at 5 p.m. on September 10 company regarding a slew of new vendor partnerships with custom-oriented manufacturers.

Click here or visit http://www.sony.com/built-in if you're an existing Sony dealer or are interested in becoming an official authorized integrator.

This article is presented by Sony.