I was going to make this a rather verbose bash, but in light of some well-considered replies to this thread I will keep it simple..

I would never buy a single thing from Panasonic, Bose or Monster Cable or Gateway.

Those of us in our thirties and older can actually remember when customer service was the norm rather than a pitifully small rarity these days. I think that's the saddest fact of all, whatever the company name.