Black Friday Flat Screen TVs Draw Complaints

When you are elbowing your way through the big box stores on Black Friday, you might want to take a pass on the deals offered on flat screen TVs.

When we reviewed the ConsumerAffairs.com database of consumer reviews and complaints, using the search term "Black Friday," we found lots of complaints about TV sets. In fact, of the 40 most recent complaints that mention Black Friday, 32 - 80 percent - were complaints about flat screen TVs.

"I purchased an Emerson 32" TV from Walmart on Black Friday 2010," Hugh, of Dacono, Colo., told ConsumerAffairs.com. "Now, almost a year later, the TV stopped working."

"My Polaroid HDTV was purchased on Black Friday as well," said Corey, of Romeo, Mich. "It was a gift, but TVs should last more than three years. Yesterday I noticed the TV was left on for a few hours while we were gone. I turned if off then back on again only to watch the screen fade to black. So now there is no picture, but there is sound. It appears I have the same problem as most I've read here."

No conspiracy

No one is suggesting that chain stores load up on defective TV sets and dump them on unsuspecting consumers who crowd into stores on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is interesting there are few reports of defective toaster ovens and coffee makers that were Black Friday purchases.

It may be that consumers more often mention they bought their problem TVs on Black Friday because, at the time, they thought they were getting a great deal.

Most of these Black Friday TV complaints are for low-end models that have produced many other complaints from consumers, who didn't necessarily purchase them on Black Friday. The fact that they were purchased on Black Friday is probably less relevant than the fact they were among the least expensive TVs to start with.

So the take-home lesson may be to shop wisely when it comes to buying a TV and not be swayed by the lowest Black Friday sale price.