Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Buyers beware of 'disposable' televisions
From KSTP TV in Minneapolis & St. Paul
Buyers beware of 'disposable' televisions
When you buy a new television, you hope it will last, but some televisions are considered trash after only a year.
Jack Haskovitz, of H&H T.V. and Electronics, Inc., hears from angry customers all the time.
"When you look at the store, you go to Costco, Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, wherever you see something that's $200 cheaper, same size, there's a reason," Haskovitz.
Haskovitz says some companies are making disposable TVs and they can't be repaired.
"They're just making enough parts for their TV sets. When they need extra, that's when they start replacing them. Or when the warranty is up, good luck," Haskovitz said.
(read more in the original story)
----------------------------------------------------
We of course are making no commentary about this story. The retailers above sell a wide variety of products in a wide price range. It's up to the consumer to make sure they're getting what they want.
Buyers beware of 'disposable' televisions
When you buy a new television, you hope it will last, but some televisions are considered trash after only a year.
Jack Haskovitz, of H&H T.V. and Electronics, Inc., hears from angry customers all the time.
"When you look at the store, you go to Costco, Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, wherever you see something that's $200 cheaper, same size, there's a reason," Haskovitz.
Haskovitz says some companies are making disposable TVs and they can't be repaired.
"They're just making enough parts for their TV sets. When they need extra, that's when they start replacing them. Or when the warranty is up, good luck," Haskovitz said.
(read more in the original story)
----------------------------------------------------
We of course are making no commentary about this story. The retailers above sell a wide variety of products in a wide price range. It's up to the consumer to make sure they're getting what they want.
Labels: repairs, televisions, warranty
Monday, January 5, 2009
Please don't get mad, but...
Sorry folks, but for warranty repairs on televisions, in general the manufacturer will require that we keep a copy of your purchase receipt on file.
We honestly believe that you did purchase the TV when you say you did, we really do. But it does not matter whether we completely trust you or not. Unfortunately, the manufacturer will not pay for a warranty repair to fix your TV without a receipt.
This isn't our policy per se, it's a policy set forth by every television manufacturer in business today.
Of course, the customer service folks at these companies are likely to tell you a different story, and say that this is not required. Do not believe them, as they just want to make a customer happy (they really do). But when push comes to shove, and we file a claim for warranty repairs on your television, they are not going to pay for it without a receipt.
That is... unless they give us something in writing that says it's okay to do the repair in warranty without a receipt. We'll take a letter in lieu of a receipt any day, if it meets our requirements. We really do want to fix your TV.
So, if you're new television is broken, and you need it repaired, and you live in Alabama, please give us a call for television service (or request a television service call online).
Just remember, the receipt is required for warranty repairs.
We honestly believe that you did purchase the TV when you say you did, we really do. But it does not matter whether we completely trust you or not. Unfortunately, the manufacturer will not pay for a warranty repair to fix your TV without a receipt.
This isn't our policy per se, it's a policy set forth by every television manufacturer in business today.
Of course, the customer service folks at these companies are likely to tell you a different story, and say that this is not required. Do not believe them, as they just want to make a customer happy (they really do). But when push comes to shove, and we file a claim for warranty repairs on your television, they are not going to pay for it without a receipt.
That is... unless they give us something in writing that says it's okay to do the repair in warranty without a receipt. We'll take a letter in lieu of a receipt any day, if it meets our requirements. We really do want to fix your TV.
So, if you're new television is broken, and you need it repaired, and you live in Alabama, please give us a call for television service (or request a television service call online).
Just remember, the receipt is required for warranty repairs.
Labels: Alabama, repairs, televisions, warranty
Friday, November 28, 2008
Should you fix it yourself?
We have no problem with those folks who want to fix their own television or appliance. Frankly, there's nothing we could do about it if we did, but we really admire your interest and your independence. We're the exact same sort of person.
We will occasionally even have a customer call us for a service call, get our diagnosis, then tell us no thanks. They will then find and order the parts themselves, and install the parts.
Hey, if this works out, more power to you, I say. You've got that pioneer, do it yourself spirit that makes America great.
However, be sure to consider the following:
If you do the repair yourself, you are the only person you can turn to for warranties on your own repair. Think about that for a minute.
If Service Care diagnoses the problems in your unit, and we order the parts and put them in, and it turns out we were wrong and it needs different parts... what happens? We take the parts we put in, find out what parts WERE needed, and fix the problem. It's that simple. All the responsibility is on us, not you. If the parts cannot be returned, we eat the costs, because we were wrong and that's the right thing to do.
Another scenario: If Service Care is putting an electronic control board in your unit, and we short it out during installation and have to replace it, who pays for the damaged part? That's right, WE do. All the responsibility is on Service Care. Frankly, that's part of what you're paying for when you have service. You're also getting Alabama's best warranty on services performed.
However, when you do the repair yourself, it's all on you, even if we did the diagnosis. That's right, if we tell you it needs a water pump or AV board, and you put it in yourself and it does not fix it, then your only warranty is with you. Why? Because we did not install those parts. We cannot warranty someone else's repair.
Most people understand that already, but some people believe that if we diagnose the repair, and the customer does the repair themselves, that we warranty the success of the customer's repair. Unfortunately, we cannot warranty any repairs but our own.
Honestly, I know that it's tempting to think you can avoid paying labor for a repair that you imagine is quite simple, but if you're going to do the repair, be prepared to accept the following:
It's also quite possible that we'll post some DIY stuff here on the blog, especially for simple problems that are easily corrected by the consumer.
We will occasionally even have a customer call us for a service call, get our diagnosis, then tell us no thanks. They will then find and order the parts themselves, and install the parts.
Hey, if this works out, more power to you, I say. You've got that pioneer, do it yourself spirit that makes America great.
However, be sure to consider the following:
If you do the repair yourself, you are the only person you can turn to for warranties on your own repair. Think about that for a minute.
If Service Care diagnoses the problems in your unit, and we order the parts and put them in, and it turns out we were wrong and it needs different parts... what happens? We take the parts we put in, find out what parts WERE needed, and fix the problem. It's that simple. All the responsibility is on us, not you. If the parts cannot be returned, we eat the costs, because we were wrong and that's the right thing to do.
Another scenario: If Service Care is putting an electronic control board in your unit, and we short it out during installation and have to replace it, who pays for the damaged part? That's right, WE do. All the responsibility is on Service Care. Frankly, that's part of what you're paying for when you have service. You're also getting Alabama's best warranty on services performed.
However, when you do the repair yourself, it's all on you, even if we did the diagnosis. That's right, if we tell you it needs a water pump or AV board, and you put it in yourself and it does not fix it, then your only warranty is with you. Why? Because we did not install those parts. We cannot warranty someone else's repair.
Most people understand that already, but some people believe that if we diagnose the repair, and the customer does the repair themselves, that we warranty the success of the customer's repair. Unfortunately, we cannot warranty any repairs but our own.
Honestly, I know that it's tempting to think you can avoid paying labor for a repair that you imagine is quite simple, but if you're going to do the repair, be prepared to accept the following:
- If you short out or damage a part during installation, it cannot be returned for credit. Parts companies are diligent (we should know) about refusing parts returns if there is any evidence that they've been used, installed, or damaged. Seriously, they look for little scratches on tabs and such.
- If you order the wrong part, it might not be returnable. We have some leeway with parts distributors on returning incorrect parts because we're a large account. You may be able to return them, but you'll face shipping costs and restocking fees that we might not otherwise be saddled with.
- If you successfully repair the unit, congratulations. But the only warranty you have on that repair is your own. If it fails next week because the part you replaced is being zapped by another part somewhere else, you'll have to repair it again at your expense.
It's also quite possible that we'll post some DIY stuff here on the blog, especially for simple problems that are easily corrected by the consumer.
Labels: Alabama, appliances, diy, parts, repairs, televisions, warranty
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
