|
Wade of Reno NV (2/2/07):
In November 2003 after significant research, I purchased a Zenith model D52WLCD Television. I have been very happy with the purchase until recently. The television began having an issue with the screen display. A large blue streak appeared in the upper left hand corner. It has grown progressively larger. I contacted the service provider here in my area, and have been informed that this issue is present in many of these models sold in 2003.
The repair cost is over sixteen hundred dollars. The original purchase price of the television was just twenty-three hundred dollars. After extensive research regarding this issue, it has come to my attention that many other individuals that have purchased this product are having the same problem. I would think that in the interest of protecting the reputation of your company you would address this issue with your customers.
Many individuals that purchased this model have all suffered the same problem, after the same time frame of use. I have copied and pasted some of the complaints that are posted on-line. There is significant documentation available that infers that Zenith sold a defective product.
Smokey of Cameron Park CA (10/05/08) We purchased a 60 Zenith Model Number D60WLCD in September 2003. In March '05, the light engine went out. The repair cost was about $2400. After weeks in the shop, Zenith finally paid for the parts. We paid for Pick-up: $150. Again, the light engine went out in December '06.
It took Zenith 3 months (March '07) to finally agree to pay for the parts and repair. Once again we paid the $150 for pick-up. And here we are today (October '08) 8 hours for waiting for the Dish Network guy, come to find out it is again the TV not the dish, but it's Sunday. Come Monday we'll see if Zenith/LG Electronics will stand by their product.
R.m.ward of Berthoud CO (08/04/08) On January 16, 2003, my husband and I purchased a 60-inch Zenith LCD HDTV Monitor Projection TV 16:9 with stand and the Philips Priority Service Plan. The total with tax came to $5,411.95. Prior to this purchase, we owned a 60-inch RCA, with no complaints as to its quality and the company's service record. We went with the Zenith because, in comparing the brands in the showroom, the Zenith had a slightly slimmer design and modestly sharper picture. We thought the Zenith name and added expense would also mean quality, but we were mistaken.
In February 2003, three weeks after the purchase, the merchant exchanged the TV due to the two large oil spots on the inside of the screen that bled through its center. In May 2003, the new TV went out completely. It was in the repair shop over a month. When they finally brought it back, the TV screen was crooked. We compained to the repair company. They said it was a defective part, which Zenith promptly replaced.
Meanwhile, in August 2003, while the repairman switched out the part in our home, the TV stopped working again. They took the TV back to the shop where it sat waiting for a new part for over two months, almost as long as we had the opportunity to enjoy it. When it finally came back to us, the screen was still offset, at which time Zenith replaced the TV again. In less than one year, a large blue lava light display started appearing on the screen, signaling that the light engine was about to fail. Two subsequent light engines also went out less than 12-months after replacement. Thank goodness, so we thought, that the Philips Priority Plan was still in effect.
In June 2007, after replacing the lamp and yet another light engine, familiar blue streaks started forming again. It sat three months in the repairshop, before we were told that the manufacturer no longer made a light engine to support this TV. Lucky us, Philips was able to find one! What they didn't tell us was that it, too, would prove to be defective. A few days after the repair company returned this bitter lemon to our home, no suprise, oil spots and blue blue lava-like streaks appeared on the screen.
I am not sure what price can be put on the lost time, emotional distress, lack of enjoyment, and overall disappointment we experienced with this particular TV and brand. We asked on at least three separate occasions for a full or partial refund, but received no response from either Zenith or the consumer advocate for the Philips Priority Plan.
Steve of Centennial CO (08/03/08) I bought this tv in August '06 and have had the famous dead screen syndrome TWICE! The first time the TV was only 2 days from the expiration of the 1 yr manufacturer warranty. The service tech replaced every board in the set. Almost one year later to the day, the same thing happened. fortunately I purchased a very expensive 2 year extension ($450) warranty after the first go round.
This is a ridiculous repair to have to make and such an expensive consumer item. According to the tech who handed me an itemized list of the value the components he replaced, the total cost including labor was $1750, which exceeds the value of the tv when it was new!
no physical damage. Obviously this product will cost more to own than it's purchase value.
Xavier of Key Biscayne FL (06/20/08) Zenith 50 plasma. Screen exploded impairing view
Kiki of Chesterfield MO (06/09/08) I have one of the famous Popping Zenith plasma 50 HDTVs. I had it repaired for $800.00 and now it has happened again. I called to ask why they are not having a recall on what is obviously a defective TV with a defective part. Especially since the new part blew up also. I fear if I fix it for another $800.00, I will just have to have it repaired for a 3rd time. This is becoming the most expensive TV in history. I think we should bring up a class action suit. I considered having it fixed and then selling it but in all good faith I can't do it. It is just very expensive garbage right now.
Peggy of Bowie MD (03/03/08) I purchased a Zenith 50'Plasma TV on November 22, 2007, from Circuit City in Annapolis, MD. I also purchased a 36-month extended warranty with this product. On March 2, 2008, I heard a loud popping noise; and to my surprise, my T.V. screen had gone black (blank). You could still hear the voices, but there was no picture. After calling my extended warranty, I was notified that I had a one-time replacement bulb (lamp) coverage and was also advised that when I purchased this item Zenith gives an automatic one-year warranty. So instead of wasting my warranty on my service plan for fear of this happening again, I called Zenith, and a repair man is coming out to service the problem.
Nevertheless, after careful research on the internet, I have found that this is a very common problem on this particular model and maybe even others. I am fuming, since this TV is only three months old, and I am already having to have the lamp or picture bulb replaced. This should be a documented recall, and the problem should be fixed immediately.
This was an expensive T.V. retails for about $1800-$2300, and based on research and reports is a costly common problem in Zenith Plasma TV. I am concerned that this will not be the only time I will have to fix this problem, and I may only have a shelf life of about two years.
Brady of Ottumwa IA (02/13/08) My 52 inch TV now has blue and yellow spot through it. It is useless and I will be out another $3000.00 to buy another TV.
Dan of Albion ME (01/08/08) I purchased a model R45W46 large screen HD TV in '05. Manufacture date of TV is Feb. '05. About 4 weeks ago the tv shut itself off for no reason. I sent it to an authorized Zenith repair shop and was told today that it needs a new tube. The repair man said that he's already had to replace another tube for a TV of this same model # recently. This is not covered under warranty. This TV is not even 3 years old and the cost of a new tube for a TV of this size is cost prohibitive. My 25 year old 42 Sony still ran like new when I gave it away because I was Upgrading to this piece of junk.
I'm going to have to buy a new TV even though I just bought one about 2 and a half years ago!
Bernie of Harrison OH (01/01/08) I bought my 46 Zeinth LCD in March of 2004. It has the same yellow spot in the middle of the screen. After reading what other people have been through I feel that it would be an effort in frustration to try to get Zeinth to do anything about repairing my TV. The cost of a new TV is almost as much as a repair bill. I feel that a TV should last longer than 3 and a half years.
Shows that my wife and I like to watch are not as enjoyable as they use to be because they are hard to watch with the spot in the middle of the screen.
Dora of Saginaw MI (11/26/07)
I purchased a 50 LCD Projection HDTV in August of 2005 at Best Buy for $1,999.00. The TV has a yellow spot on the screen. I paid $100 to have it looked at and it will cost over $900 to have it fixed. This TV should have lasted a lot longer than this. I am a stay-at-home wife adn need my TV. I will be writing the CEO about this.
Catherine of Warren MI (11/18/07)
I purchased a LG 42 TV and have had nothing but problems. The digital board continues to malfunction. I have had it repaired several times, but the part for the digital board #6871QCH038A cannot be obtained. I had the TV waiting to be repaired at a TV repair shop and they cannot find the part. This TV is only 3 years old. I will never purchase anything from Zenith again.
Sevaan of Irvine CA (10/21/07) I bought a 52-inch screen Zenith TV in 2004, and it has developed a massive yellow spot in the middle of the screen.
The result is a TV that is not good to watch which cost nearly $2000.
Jacqueline of Roseville CA (03/26/07)
I purchased a 52 Zenith LCD TV in August 2005 and it has developed a large yellow spot covering most of the center of the screen. In the two hours I have been looking for information online and trying to get help from Zenith (they didn't help b/c the product is past the 1 year warranty) I have found HUNDREDS of others with the same problem on large Zenith TV's.
Wade of Reno NV (02/02/07) Listed below is a copy of an e-mail sent to a Paul Taylor, Customer Service Manager with Zenith Electronics. The attempt at a registered letter was returned. Date: Thu, 4 May 2006 22:12:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Wade Perry
Eileen of Elkton MD (10/25/06) I purchased my new 50 plasma TV from Circuit City March 22, 2006. I had it installed on the wall and it had horizontal lines running thru the screen. Going back to Circuit City they told me to try that the cables I was using were probably bad and I should try monster cable. Keep in mind the first cable was 50' and not cheap, so I purchased monster cable at around $170 and still had the same problem.
I called Zenith, the 800 number in the owners manual and was told that it probably was an electrical interference. Even the owner's manual says Horizontal/vertical bars -check for local interference such as an electrical appliance or power tool. I was also told I needed an electricity scrubber, so $100+ more I bought it. Still have lines on my TV.
Back to Circuit City, they told me to get a tech to my house and that would be only $150. I paid the $150 and was scheduled for the service. Service man can to the house and said my TV was bad and would not charge me if he did not look at anything. I was desperate to make sure nothing was wrong with the connections so I said go look, everything looked fine. All these trips back to the store took some time and time lapsed.
I went to the store manager and told him my TV was bad and he said because I did not buy the Circuit City warranty I would have to take this up with Zenith/LG Electronics since three months have passed. I call Zenith and they gave me the phone number to call a TV repair shop that they recommend. B & K Electronics It is now sometime in July.
August 1, 2006 B&K come pick up the TV. I was told I would hear something in 7 days. I called and no one got back to me. August 31st I receive a letter from LG Electronics saying they will swap out the TV they need more info. I fax and email Tasha in the CIC administration department the needed info and asked her to please email me that she received it. On September 15, 2006 I hear nothing from LG and so I call again and this time I talk to another woman, Linda and she has no receipt of the paper work and requests that I fax it again and I am told to wait another 7-10 days. I wait on the line until she received my fax and it is confirmed she did. September 27th I receive a letter from LG that states they authorize a swap out.
The retailer can replace with the same or comparable model. I went to Circuit City and they did not have my model in stock and said they would give me credit for $1,899 the sale price of the TV. WHAT ARE THEY CRAZY. ... They want to replace my TV with the same one that is now $1,000 cheaper than when I bought mine. So my neighbor bought the same one for $1,900 and is watching his and I paid 2,800 and do not have a TV. What about the consumer?
Alfred of Yorktown VA (10/23/06) On 25 December 2005, I purchased an LG 50 Plasma Television from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), the retail store in military installations. Fist week in September it developed a black line across the center of the screen. I found the ONLY FONE NUMBER in the owners manual for LG Electronics Costumer Service Center (1-800-243-0000) and I was instructed to contact their local service center to schedule the them picking-up the TV for the repair.
8 September 2006 - LG's local repair facility, Color & Sound, picked-up the TV for repair. 27 September - LG's Customer Service Supervisor, Mr. Brian, informed me that according to their policy if the TV weren't repaired in 30 days they would replace it.
10 October - LG's Customer Service, Ms. Stacy, instruct me to fax them a copy of the TV's sales receipt to initiate procedures to replace the TV.
12 October - Contacted LG.s Customer Service Ms. Stacy, who told me that they had received, all required documentation and my case file had been forwarded to the Exchange Department for processing and I should be hearing from them within 10 days with instructions for the exchange. That same day I received the below email from LG's Customer Service, Mr. Neil, also informing me that my case file had been sent to their Exchange Department for replacement processing and I should getting replacement instructions soon.
16 October - Called LG's Customer Service and was transferred to LG's Commercial Department were Ms. Phyllis and her supervisor, Mr. Jason told that because I had purchased the TV from AAFES my case had been transferred to them and they had different policies than their Consumer Customer Service and according to their policy my TV would not be replaced. I would have to wait for as long as it would take for the TV to be repaired. I have requested from Mr. Jason and Ms. Phyllis, on numerous occasions, to speak with their supervisor or someone in a higher position and they have refused to, and the only telephone number I can find for LG Electronics is the one in the owner's manual.
I do not think this is right that because we buy an item from AAFES we should get inferior service than if we get the item from a civilian store, especially since they are priced about the same at both markets, with AAFES we just save us on taxes. I feel that military deserves better then this disservice and AAFES customers should not be treated like second-class citizens.
Gary of Hercules CA (04/06/05) I have a recalled 56 Zenith Big Screen TV. I have been in email contact with the Zenith Recall representative Bill H since 10/2004. He has sent TV technicians from Precision TV in Pleasnt Hill, CA to diagnose the TV twice. He also said he would pay for the parts needed but not the labor. The TV did exactly what the recall was issued for; it began to smoke then quit working. The last visit from the TV technicians was over two months ago. At that time, Pete from Precision TV said he would order the needed parts and return to install them.
A week ago Monday on March 28,2005, I emailed Bill H again to inform him the repair still had not been completed. Mr. Hoebbel returned my email telling me he was no longer the day to day operational person for recalled TV's and referred my case to Nsimba V who hasn't yet conveyed anything to me not even a correspondence.
Tommy of Hope AR (07/03/03) I bought a zenith console tv 4/19/1999 for 707.60. The picture tube has went out on it and the repair man said that it is a common thing with the zenith model. I can't find an e-mail address for zenith to talk with them and a telephone number I have is only automated. Its going to cost around 350.00 to replace the tube. This should not be happening on a 3 year old tv. My wife's grandmother has had 2 picture tubes replaced in her zenith. They don't last long enough to through the tv away. The repair man said that they aren't making quaility tubes.
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.
|