Complain about a product or service

Sony Computers

Cory of Woodbridge, VA June 11, 2009

I purchased an expensive Sony VAIO laptop which I used and very carefully protected fror 2 years. The screen suddenly stopped working and I had to send it in to Sony for repair. I was told that both the motherboard and the hard drive needed to be replaced and the cost was near 650.00. The technician could not tell me how the problem came about, which was extremely dissapointing and frustrating. I opted not to repair the laptop.

I think this is a ploy by Sony to continue to generate revenue from consumers who purchase their systems. I wanted to write a letter of complaint until I realized that so many others have experienced what I went through and that it was not going to make much of a difference. I can honestly say I will NEVER purchase a SONY product again. There are far too many other good brands out there for me to have to allow this to happen again.

S of Richmond Hill, ON May 28, 2009

I only wish that I had read some of the Sony reviews before I purchased my laptop in September 2008. Now I will never buy another Sony product and I strongly urge others to do the same. Sony does not stand behind their products. The hard drive on my Sony Vaio died suddenly while I was studying for my final exams. As the laptop was only 8 months old I returned it to Sony for repair. I received a phone call a few days later telling me that when they opened up the computer they found a dent on the inside corner and consequently there was physical damage to the computer and it would not be covered under the warranty.

Now I took the utmost care with this computer and it was at no time dropped or banged. in fact it was in mint condition. Also please tell me how it is possible to have a dent on the inside of the computer when there is absolutely not even a scratch let alone a dent on the outside. I don't even know how that is physically possible and Sony doesn't either. The estimate for the repair was around 900. Since I had purchased the extended warranty for an extra 3 years I thought that it might still be worth my while to have the unit fixed. However, Sony told me that my warranty would now be null and void. Even Sony's one year warranty until September 2009 would be useless let alone my extended (very expensive) 3 year warranty. I feel very strongly that Sony is an unreputable company that does not stand behind the products they sell and they certainly do not care about their customers. I know that my hard drive failed due to shoddy workmanship on Sony's part and yet they refuse to even acknowledge that possibility and yet they cannot explain how a dent could happen inside without even a hint of damage on the outside. It is my word against theirs, and guess what I lost.

Singh of westminster, MD May 26, 2009

I purchased a Vios computer over a year and my keys are falling off. I called Sony products and they told me that they are not responible for the keys falling off because my computer is not under warranty and they not not reponsible.

Erin of Erie, PA May 24, 2009

I purchased a 1500 Sony VAIO VGN-FZ140E laptop in September of 2007 after researching what was the most reliable and best performing laptop around that I could reasonably afford. I needed the laptop for grad school, so I only used it for typical school-related tasks and for music and NETFLIX instant movies. I used the AC/DC adaptor that came with my laptop for all charging and non-battery power supply. One day when I was trying to surf the net, a box on my computer popped up telling me my battery was at 10% and it needed to be plugged in. It was plugged in! I tried another outlet, jiggling the adaptor head in case of a loose connection, but my computer would not register the charge. After checking it with several outlets, I heard a faint chirping sound and noticed the green indicator light on the brick was not on. I used an OHM meter to check the output from the head and it spit out all kinds of weird numbers. My adaptor had fried itself at some point during the night while my computer was charging.

The computer and adaptor were both only 18 months old and I was furious, as I had never had an adaptor fail in the past with any other computer. I called Sony about it and they told me that I needed to purchase a new adaptor for 79.99, plus 15 for the power cord as they are separate parts. I needed the computer to do work related to school loans and registering for my boards, so I could not wait the two weeks they told me. I went out, at the customer service rep's advice, and bought a compatible universal adaptor.

When I plugged the new adaptor in, my computer still would not accept the charge. I checked the new head with the OHM meter and it read the proper voltage output required, 19.5V. I checked the battery port on my computer and it was putting out the correct voltage as well. When I checked my DC port, it was spitting out crazy numbers like the defective adaptor had. I took it to a repair shop, as I was out of warranty, even though I purchased and extended service plan through Best Buy, I was later informed it ran concurrent with my factory warranty and was for accidental damage not covered under Sony's.

The computer was at the shop for three days before the guy told me he couldn't fix it, the motherboard was bad and he would need to send it to Sony to repair for 649. I called 5 other repair places and was told the same thing, my motherboard was shot. No one would repair it and I was told I would be better off buying a new laptop.

Brian of Beverly, MA May 12, 2009

Now this is not that old at all. First the LCD screen went blank, than the power supply died. This laptop has been meticulously cared for. I don't know if there are any recalls on this guy you have to be Indianna Jones on the internet to find out about recalls these days but I am really hoping so. (Later found out there was not) I have been a very loyal customer of Sony for years upon years, my house looks like a commercial for them.

This is one of my more exuberant purchases I got the all decked out model but now it just sits there hoping to come back to life. So faulty, unreasonable life span for such an expensive product. Contacted Sony with not so much as a sorry. Lost a lot of work on that computer. I also need it for teaching, classes were canceled. It was just terrible.

Matthew of APO, Korea Sout May 15, 2009

I purchased a VGC-LV150J in November of 2008 before i got stationed in Kunsan AB, Korea in January. I recieved the computer at my home in NC. Then had the military company move my household goods to Korea. I recieved the household goods along with the computer in late January and the computer worked fine. About a month later when i was going to log into the computer it said operating system not found. I later found out that the hard drive had crashed. It is still covered by my warranty so i didnt think anything of it.

So i called Sony and talked to there customer service and said that i would have to pay to get it shipped to there manufacturer. They would ship the box to my parents in PA, but i would have to pay to ship it to korea. But my address is a APO, AP address that is considered the same as a stateside address. Still sony said i had to pay to ship the box to korea then pay to ship it back to them then they would ship it back to PA to my parents and then i would have to pay to ship it back to me. The warranty doesnt cover international they said.

Im in the military and i dont make much money as it is and because i am stationed here and they sold me a product with a known defective hard drive it is going to come out of my pocket to fix it when it is still under warranty. What can i do to help with this problem.

John of Glendale, NY May 3, 2009

Under 6 Months of use Had several re boots screen incresed size and changed color, lines would interfer with system, after numerous callls to sony Problem seemed to be resolved, but continued to persist. System failed screen when black. keyboard didn't work. sony sent a tech., never left any work order, was not there to see any work done.

Pamela of Saint Albans, NY April 21, 2009

In December of 2007 the Sony store at the Roosevelt field mall in New York had a special deal on all laptops. If you purchased, you'd receive a free 4 year extended warranty. I purchased the laptop. However, after a few months, the laptop began experiencing problems. I called Sony and had the laptop repaired. In the beginning of December, the laptop's DVD drive stopped working. I called Sony and was told by a technician, that I should try and fix the laptop myself. I worked on the laptop for several days and could not get it to work. I called again and was sent a box so I could mail the laptop to a company (Nexcare) for repair. It took about 3 weeks for the laptop to arrive.

When the laptop arrived, I turned it on and the screen was cracked. I called Sony and was told to wait for another box so I could return the laptop to Nexcare. I waited for about 2 weeks and gave Sony a call. I was told that Nexcare claimed I broke the laptop. Sony is now claiming that my laptop's 1 year warranty expired on December 15, 2008. A few days after I notified them of the problem. I found out that when I purchased the laptop, Sony reduced it's cost and increased the cost of the warranty. >p> So I have no money left on the contract to repair the laptop. They informed me that I have no other choice but to accept a payment from them as a buyout. However, they are refusing to return my laptop so I can use the buyout money to have it repaired. I also took advantage of their 1 year free financing offer and still owe close to 700. I have no laptop and still haven't received a check from them. Sony is selling defective merchandise and getting away with it.

Melanie of Rockville Centre, NY April 6, 2009

July 2006, purchased Sony Vaio Notebook PC and 3-year extended warranty. Between the period of July 06 and February 07 we have had many problems with the computer (fried motherboard and hard drive, malfunctioning blue tooth, LCD screen replacement, adapter replacement, hours on the phone with tech people and various other rude sony employees. I requested my money back but they would replace the computer only - 4 times!

Since the 4th computer, we have had internet explorer problems, internet pop-up boxes saying error hardware/software problems, problems installing programs, the computer has been arbitrarily turning itself off, problems with coming out of hibernation mode, a technician that actually broke part of the computer, and left off 12 screws, a dimming problem with the light, and a screeching noise coming from somewhere in the computer. This required them to replace a fan, motherboard - AGAIN, keyboard, and some other various parts.

The computer still has problems. I have complained to various sony departments on the phone, and they refuse to give me an address where I can send them a documented complaint, of which I have a timeline, and names of every employee I have had to speak with.

My daughter has been using this computer for law school, and has had problems from the very 1st day and still continuing. The stress and aggravation has not been worth the 3,479 I paid for the Sony. While still under the 3 year sony extended warranty, i had no choice but to purchase a different computer in the amount of 2,577.56. My daughter cannot possibly finish up law school this semester and start studying for the bar exam on that horrible piece of junk sony computer. I want my money back for a new computer I was forced to buy while still under a warranty on the sony.

Nadia of East Orange, NJ March 30, 2009

i purchased my laptop at bestbuy in february 2008. In September 2008 I started experiencing a blue screen error. the hard drive was replaced by Sony the same problem kept happening and Sony kept prolonging the situastion now the warrant is done and i contact them about the same problem they want to bill me to repair the problem

I lost 800 I paid for the laptop plus it inconvenience me because i need my laptop for work and school

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Back to the top |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.