"We scheduled the appointment for after Christmas, so that it would be fixed before our protection plan expired and this way we could see if we were happy with the service and then renew the plan."

I searched high and low but could not find a Circuit City protection plan that was for one year. I saw 2 and 4 year plans but none that were for only one year with the ability to renew it if you liked it. Maybe it's different in your part of the country but I don't see it. Are you sure you are not under the one year manaufactures warranty?? Anyway - best of luck - this kind of letter makes me glad I never threw out my 20 plus year old Zienth in my basement. Good Luck!