OT Any TV Repairmen on here?!?!

[Worthingite]

So I've had my Panasonic 42" lcd TV since last May, and so the guarantee has run out, which is indescribably annoying, as on Friday night it died - having googled the problem it appears that I have a faulty 15V D-board. I have no idea what that is.

I have spoken with the retailer it was bought from, and they require me to get an independent TV repair specialist to come and certify the problem, at which they will arrange for it to be picked up and refunded 80% of its value, which considering it is out of warranty is better than nothing. However the two repair people in Worthing that I've tried want £50 for the privilege of walking through my front door to examine the problem. This seems excessive so I was wondering if the good folk of NSC could either a) verify that price is reasonable or b) point me in the direction of someone cheaper!!!!

Thanks guys

 

[Fungus]

Just because the guarantee has run out, doesn't mean your not covered. Life expectation for such goods is greater than a year and a bit. Any consumer experts?

PS. You might find TVs are cheaper and have more features now - I know things have moved on since I bought mine 18 months ago!

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Just because the guarantee has run out, doesn't mean your not covered. Life expectation for such goods is greater than a year and a bit. Any consumer experts?

PS. You might find TVs are cheaper and have more features now - I know things have moved on since I bought mine 18 months ago!

Yep, technology has moved on at an alarming rate. Are tv's repairable now in the way that they once were?

 

[Ernest]

Call Trading Standards and get their advice

 

[nwgull]

Are problems with modern tellies still sorted by giving it a firm slap on the top of the box, like the good old days?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Are problems with modern tellies still sorted by giving it a firm slap on the top of the box, like the good old days?

No. Technological advances mean that most problems with a modern telly can be sorted by turning it off and on again.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The 12 month warranty covers any problems within the first year. The Sale Of Goods Act can also be used to back up a claim the merchandise purchased should last longer than 14 months. The contract of sale is between you and the retailer so don't be fobbed off if they try to get you to take the issue up with the manufacturer. If the TV is taken away for repair take a note of the registration number as any make good repair will be undertaken by Panasonic in one of their regional repair centres.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

No. Technological advances mean that most problems with a modern telly can be sorted by turning it off and on again.

Anyone who was unfortunate enough to be watching Casualty on Saturday will know that the solution to that problem was to turn it off and NOT turn it on again.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

You have a 2 year warranty with the retailer by law, send it back to them.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Anyone who was unfortunate enough to be watching Casualty on Saturday will know that the solution to that problem was to turn it off and NOT turn it on again.

Oh christ I had completely forgotten that I was subjected to that dirge on Saturday night, that has to be one of the worst things broadcasted on mainstream television.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

You have a 2 year warranty with the retailer by law, send it back to them.

The SOGA matches or betters the EU directive as your rights are extended to 6 years rather than 2. The onus is on the purchaser to provide an "expert's" opinion that the goods purchased are not of a merchantable quality if the warranty states it is only valid for 12 months. You can get caught in limbo quoting the EU directive if a problem occurs from month 25 onwards.

 

[super ads]

Barkers in tarring are very good. Take it there.

 

[Del Boy]

However the two repair people in Worthing that I've tried want £50 for the privilege of walking through my front door to examine the problem. This seems excessive

How on earth is this excessive? They have to get to/fro your place, then fault find a problem which is a specialist job they've trained for. It's not like they made any money supplying the equipment. Any trades ie locksmith, TV Ariel, plumber, sparky etc would be a minimum of that!

 

[Worthingite]

How on earth is this excessive? They have to get to/fro your place, then fault find a problem which is a specialist job they've trained for. It's not like they made any money supplying the equipment. Any trades ie locksmith, TV Ariel, plumber, sparky etc would be a minimum of that!

The issue isn't finding the fault, the fault is already known. Panasonic have a code system that advises you via the amount of flashes on the standby light where the issue is. I know where the fault is, I just need it confirming on a piece of paper. I find it a bit excessive that it would cost £50 to write a one sentence diagnosis on headed notepaper, that's all

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Barkers in tarring are very good. Take it there.

Agreed. They are excellent.

 

[Del Boy]

The issue isn't finding the fault, the fault is already known. Panasonic have a code system that advises you via the amount of flashes on the standby light where the issue is. I know where the fault is, I just need it confirming on a piece of paper. I find it a bit excessive that it would cost £50 to write a one sentence diagnosis on headed notepaper, that's all

Unbelievable! You also want a written fault diagnosis. What were you expecting to pay?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The issue isn't finding the fault, the fault is already known. Panasonic have a code system that advises you via the amount of flashes on the standby light where the issue is. I know where the fault is, I just need it confirming on a piece of paper. I find it a bit excessive that it would cost £50 to write a one sentence diagnosis on headed notepaper, that's all

The retailer probably knows the TV can diagnose what the fault is unless it was purchased from a high street chain store where the sales assistant will have no practical knowledge. It maybe worth discussing the issue with Consumer Direct.

 

[Official Old Man]

There's lots of talk about how long a TV should last. As this was a Panasonic, thus a known brand, and was probably a lot more money than a Tesco brand, it should last at least 24 plus months.
I'd start with asking for it to be repaired free of charge.

 

[wellquickwoody]

One of the things that the EU can be thanked for is introducing a two year warranty on most goods of any substantial value. It is either the retailer or manufacturer who will have to deal with this without expense to yourself, do not be fobbed off.

 

[Worthingite]

Unbelievable! You also want a written fault diagnosis. What were you expecting to pay?

To write something I already know on a bit of paper? I'd say half that would be reasonable for less than 5 minutes work?