Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv,rec.video (More info?)
I bought a Sony KDFE-50A10 at Fry's Electronics. I'm very happy with
the TV's picture quality except I have a few stuck pixels (always blue
or green) and the set turned itself off once in the middle of viewing
(when no one was near the remote or the set).
I talked to Fry's and they said they would exchange it... once they
get some more in stock. Apparently they are having supply problems and
the one I got was the only my store received in the last few weeks. So
I have 3 more weeks for them to get one in stock for exchange.
Even if they receive a new set in time, I worry I'll get one in worse
shape (with more dead pixels) or with what some people call "color
blotches" (something to do with a polarization problem), but I decided
I'll take my chances. If the second unit is worse, then I'll return
everything and lose my $60 delivery fee.
I also read that new stuck or dead pixels can appear over time, so
after the exchange I could still end up with a set with bad pixels
making the exchange in vain.
What bothers me the most is that the 2 salesmen I talked to at Fry's
(who never seem to be there any more) when I originally bought the TV
told me incorrect things about their 5 year warranty. I very clearly
asked if bulb replacement was covered and I was told yes... everything
is covered during the 5 years.
Then when I called to try to arrange an exchange the service guy told
me bulbs were not covered and that they go by the manufacturer's
warranty on bad pixels. I asked if he was saying I have to have 21 bad
pixels per square inch? Then I got transferred to a supervisor who
said 5 bad pixels on the entire set would be sufficient (of course
that number isn't written anywhere in their warranty policy). When I
mentioned that I had been misled on the warranty about bulb
replacement he said he was sorry that I misunderstood the policy
rather than saying they would try to do something about my being
misled (such as offering me a free bulb when I need one or knocking
something off the cost of the warranty).
Someone else I know bought the same TV and the same warranty at Fry's
and was told the same thing about bulb replacement being included, but
when I told him he was misled he didn't seem to care. I suppose that
is because he got a perfect set (no stuck pixels) and he makes a lot
more money than I do.
So I really feel like throwing the TV back in their face and buying it
somewhere else. The problem is that nobody has it on sale now for the
$1999 I paid, and I passed on a 10% off coupon when it was $2250 at
Best Buy or Circuit City (not sure which) because I thought I already
had a good warranty with Fry's.
At minimum if I keep the Fry's warranty, I have to make the manager
write down and sign the 5 total bad pixels policy statement. Assuming
they do this, I see these are my 4 options:
(1) Exchange the set and keep the Fry's $330 5 year warranty without
bulb replacement and with a 5 dead pixel warranty written by hand.
(2) Exchange the set, return the warranty, and let my credit card
double the TV and bulb warranty to 2 years (they would have to re-ring
the entire sale because an exchange would make it look like it was
paid by store credit).
(3) Exchange the set, return the warranty, and buy Sony's extended
warranty (with the ridiculous 21 bad pixels per square inch clause)
for around $270.
(4) Return the whole thing at Fry's and wait/hope for another dealer
to have this set on sale again for $1999, and then buy it at Best Buy
or Circuit City who have more expensive but better warranties that
also cover the bulb and even 1 bad pixel.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not trying to debate warranties
here as I believe warranties are worthwhile on expensive items like
LCD TVs with high a likelihood of failure. My dilemma is whether I
should stick with Fry's warranty or try another option.
Disclaimer: The above comments are my opinions.
I bought a Sony KDFE-50A10 at Fry's Electronics. I'm very happy with
the TV's picture quality except I have a few stuck pixels (always blue
or green) and the set turned itself off once in the middle of viewing
(when no one was near the remote or the set).
I talked to Fry's and they said they would exchange it... once they
get some more in stock. Apparently they are having supply problems and
the one I got was the only my store received in the last few weeks. So
I have 3 more weeks for them to get one in stock for exchange.
Even if they receive a new set in time, I worry I'll get one in worse
shape (with more dead pixels) or with what some people call "color
blotches" (something to do with a polarization problem), but I decided
I'll take my chances. If the second unit is worse, then I'll return
everything and lose my $60 delivery fee.
I also read that new stuck or dead pixels can appear over time, so
after the exchange I could still end up with a set with bad pixels
making the exchange in vain.
What bothers me the most is that the 2 salesmen I talked to at Fry's
(who never seem to be there any more) when I originally bought the TV
told me incorrect things about their 5 year warranty. I very clearly
asked if bulb replacement was covered and I was told yes... everything
is covered during the 5 years.
Then when I called to try to arrange an exchange the service guy told
me bulbs were not covered and that they go by the manufacturer's
warranty on bad pixels. I asked if he was saying I have to have 21 bad
pixels per square inch? Then I got transferred to a supervisor who
said 5 bad pixels on the entire set would be sufficient (of course
that number isn't written anywhere in their warranty policy). When I
mentioned that I had been misled on the warranty about bulb
replacement he said he was sorry that I misunderstood the policy
rather than saying they would try to do something about my being
misled (such as offering me a free bulb when I need one or knocking
something off the cost of the warranty).
Someone else I know bought the same TV and the same warranty at Fry's
and was told the same thing about bulb replacement being included, but
when I told him he was misled he didn't seem to care. I suppose that
is because he got a perfect set (no stuck pixels) and he makes a lot
more money than I do.
So I really feel like throwing the TV back in their face and buying it
somewhere else. The problem is that nobody has it on sale now for the
$1999 I paid, and I passed on a 10% off coupon when it was $2250 at
Best Buy or Circuit City (not sure which) because I thought I already
had a good warranty with Fry's.
At minimum if I keep the Fry's warranty, I have to make the manager
write down and sign the 5 total bad pixels policy statement. Assuming
they do this, I see these are my 4 options:
(1) Exchange the set and keep the Fry's $330 5 year warranty without
bulb replacement and with a 5 dead pixel warranty written by hand.
(2) Exchange the set, return the warranty, and let my credit card
double the TV and bulb warranty to 2 years (they would have to re-ring
the entire sale because an exchange would make it look like it was
paid by store credit).
(3) Exchange the set, return the warranty, and buy Sony's extended
warranty (with the ridiculous 21 bad pixels per square inch clause)
for around $270.
(4) Return the whole thing at Fry's and wait/hope for another dealer
to have this set on sale again for $1999, and then buy it at Best Buy
or Circuit City who have more expensive but better warranties that
also cover the bulb and even 1 bad pixel.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not trying to debate warranties
here as I believe warranties are worthwhile on expensive items like
LCD TVs with high a likelihood of failure. My dilemma is whether I
should stick with Fry's warranty or try another option.
Disclaimer: The above comments are my opinions.
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