Vizio Reviews

This is the situation:

As I was trying to insert an HDMI cable into the HDMI 1 port, I accidentally touched the corner of the male end of the HDMI cable to a port called the "Service Port". The "Service Port" is only 3mm away from the HDMI port in the back of the TV, and when trying to insert the HDMI cable to the HDMI port from the side of the TV, one could easily see that the "Service Port" is directly in the way of the HDMI port. When trying to plug the HDMI cable in, I accidentally touched the "Service Port", causing my entire TV to shut down. This did not produce a smell or a "pop" noise, but it apparently destroyed my TV.

I contacted Vizio to ask for guidance on the matter, thinking that something so easily touched would have a "reset" button or something that would easily fix the problem. But immediately after I briefly explained to the tech support rep what happened, the Vizio rep told me, "Your warranty will not cover that," then proceeded to tell me to fax in my Proof of Purchase, serial number, case number, and phone number. I questioned him why he was so sure Vizio would not honor the two-year warranty after only getting a brief description of what happened, and he told me to "just fax your info in."

I called a day later to check if my fax went through and they confirmed it did, but right away, I was being told that the warranty won't cover what happened. I asked, "Shouldn't a tech person check it out first to determine that?", considering how minor the touching of the HDMI cable (which wasn't connected to a power source yet) to the "Service Port" was. That person put me on hold and came back to tell me that he talked with someone at "Level 3" and that I cannot do anything about it. Once "Level 3" says it's over, there's nothing I can do. Then he basically told me that I should hang up now and move on.

I said I wanted to speak to someone who was a supervisor in "Level 3". This customer representative named Ray, # **, told me "No". I then said that I wanted to speak with the person in charge of his department, and he said "NO." I even said, "I respectfully request to speak with the supervisor of your department," and he said "NO, I can't." I played this game with him for a few minutes before I told him that, "I'm a disgruntled customer and I want to speak with someone in charge; doesn't Vizio care about that?" and he told me, (seriously), "Vizio doesn't care about disgruntled customers." I almost blew a fuse. I never cussed or cursed at him, nor did I yell at him or be condescending. I kept my cool. He didn't offer any advice on who to talk with regarding repair.

When I mentioned that nowhere in the user manual, warranty, or on the TV itself did it mention anything about how delicate and fragile this "Service Port" is and how everyone should avoid it, he basically said Vizio doesn't care. I then told him that I didn't jam anything in there, I didn't force anything, it was not abuse or misuse at all. But he didn't care and tried to get me off the phone. I realized that I was going to have to approach this a different way and told Ray to watch out for the Karma police.

I called Costco and told them the story. The Costco concierge then called Vizio, put me on hold, then after about four minutes, connected me to a guy named Eric in "Level 3." Eric was useless and gave me a number for ITI, the third-party repair people that Vizio works with. I called during business hours, but had to leave a message that has yet to be returned, which, after reading other posts, does not surprise me. I then asked Eric how could my two-year warranty not cover this situation when Vizio does not warn against touching the "Service Port" anywhere in the literature that came with the TV. I said, "Vizio should have a protective covering if this thing is so fragile." He said the newer models do. I said, "Then you know how delicate it is and how easily it destroys the TV. Please honor my warranty." He said he can't. Then he tried to connect me to the customer service manager at Vizio. All the while, the Costco concierge was listening to my whole discussion. While the phone was trying to connect to the customer service manager at Vizio, the Costco rep said, "It sounds like they don't care to help out." Then the phone never connected to the customer rep at Vizio.

But luckily, I got the extension and dialed a few times myself. After talking with a few underlings, I talked with the floor manager, Donna. She said, "I see your point, but I can't do anything about it." After about twenty minutes of re-explaining that Vizio can't use their "fix-all" excuse of not honoring the warranty because of the broad and vague "abuse" clause they have, she put me on hold to talk with some engineers. She came back and told me that the engineers said the TV cannot be repaired, that the port is "very delicate", and that I basically would have to live with it.

I then asked for her full name or ID number for I would need it in the small claims lawsuit that I was going to file against Vizio. She paused and then offered me a "very good discounted rate on a re-certified Vizio." I said, "Well, that's the first time anyone at Vizio has done anything positive in trying to correct this problem, but I don't want a refurbished TV." She told me that they are not refurbished and explained the difference. She then said she would call me tomorrow to tell me the deals. I told her I wasn't that interested.

I spoke well over three-and-a-half hours with Vizio throughout this day- 1/28/09. At this point, I don't care about her deals, nor do I expect to hear from her. I will never buy a Vizio again. I will take it back to Costco and try to see if they will help me out, even though the 90-day return policy expired six months ago. The TV cost just over $1,000.00. It was the first big purchase for my wife and I, after we got married. We are not wealthy. This was supposed to be a special treat.

I called back and was told I need to take another pic of the TV. And I was told that was the only way they will send a rep out, only if it seems fit to; then I was put on hold. Next I was told by the tech that his boss said he’s not sure but it may sound like the light coming from the TV would NOT be under warranty, and I would have to pay to have that fix? I will never buy another Vizio again. I will never buy another Vizio. I have always had Sony TV, but I thought I give them a try (BUY CHEAP GET CHEAP).

Now, I am very wary of what I can expect in the coming weeks. I do have an extended warranty with Sam's Club and maybe that will help when it starts. Overall, I am very displeased with the frailty of this TV. There was a 42" Sony right next to the 50" Vizio that I bought for roughly the same price. I wish I had bought the Sony and not been so interested in the size but should have remained focus on the quality. Overall, after many hours of post breakdown research, I have read very few good responses to Vizio customer care or repair. I do feel strongly about supporting American made products however. When it is a scam to make money, I begin to see why it is so important to be biased in the research process.

After not getting any feedback from Vizio by September 24th, I decided to contact the manufacturer to follow up on the repair status. I was told somebody would call me back the same day after checking on the status and inform me. I waited for two more days until September 26th without receiving any call back. I call Vizio again on the 26th and was told that the unit was still in repair and that I would receive an update the following week. Again, no feedback until I call on September 30th, at that time I was given a tracking number and was told that my TV would be repaired and ship that night. On October 1st, I called again to make sure that the TV indeed ship. My unit still was not shipped.

I was told by customer service that the TV would ship now on Oct. 2nd and was given a new tracking number. Later that same day, I received a call back from customer service telling me that my unit would not ship after all and that I would get a replacement TV now since they detected a malfunction on the panel (after all this time????) and that it would take another day or so. Needless to say, I did not hear anything until I called back on Friday, October 3rd. At this time, customer service told me that they would send a replacement out in the middle of the following week (approx. October 8th).

With all due respect, this situation and especially the way it has been dealt with, is absolutely and completely unacceptable and certainly, to say the very least, unprofessional. Being a business owner myself, I hope this letter will find receptive ears for your company's sake and hopefully future success. I was happy and excited to support a young up and coming American company such as you try to promote Vizio as you are trying to promote.. I haven't been approached numerous times to give my opinion about Vizio products to friends and family, I hate to say this but it has been a complete fiasco to deal with your company and I only can recommend caution buying your products. I will continue to move this problem along by calling daily, requesting final conclusion regarding this matter.

I'm out $1,000.00 for a TV that doesen't even work.

I purchased a 42 Vizio plasma.

Model #p42hdtv10a on 07/02/2006 on 02/05/2007 the color went out. It took VIZIO until 03/02/2007 to get my television replaced. Because they could not get ahold of there service tech, in my area to service my TV. Thet finally just replaced the TV. The installers hooked it up wrong. I re-did the hook up when I get home.

Now just before a year was up on the replacement TV. This one the screen went black. Soo far I have to wait untill a tech, calls me with a price quote to repair it. I was told that I might recieve a call by next week?

I was told when they finally replaced the first Tv. That it would be covered for a year from the day I recieved the replacement. Now I was told it is not covered anymore.

So I am never going to buy a VIZIO Television. And I am telling anybody I know who is shopping for a plasma not to get one from VIZIO.

I was on the phone for hours last time. This time I was only on the phone for one and a half hours and only spoke to 4 different people and one online with no second reply to be told I am not covered. Ans I was givin a number to call and outside party to repair my tv. I even asked them if they could just sell me the replacement card to fix it myself. I was not allowed to pruchase the replacement part. There is only three cards that run the unit. I just wanted the vidio card.

I have not been told how much repairs will cost. Well i just bought a television that so far lasts allmost a year. Not bad for $1299.99

The tech showed up and replaced to boards. We turned on the TV and it was working fine. He left and 15 minutes later the TV turns off. It would turn back on and stay on for 1 to 2 minutes than go off again This was last Friday. Again we started with the phone calls to Georgia and got no answer we left a message. Called the tech he gaves us another number to call no answer. Called Vizio customer support. No answer again. In addition I had E-mailed customer support 2 times for help. Never got any response. We took the TV back to Costco and they gave us a refund. Vizio's 3 year. $159.99 care plan is worthless.

As of today no has responed to the messages that we left of Friday at the repair center or tech support. Question? How do they know what is wrong with your TV and what parts to sent when a tech has not even seen it? Bad service and a bad product.

Vizio can't seem to make good on a warranty for a $5 dollar remote but tried to sell an extended warranty for $140 dollars. The TV cost $1400. and the original worthless Warrant and remotev were supposed to be good for 1 year. Please help

I now have a $1400 TV that can't be used to operate a VHS/DVD player and from a remote control. To return to TV would cost me at least $200. To pack and ship back to Vizio in Calafornia.