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Jan 14, 2008 Jason Taylor     TV failed in 5 weeks???...

Dec 10, 2007 Cassie Cordell     My husband purchased this tv for me for christmas-early- and I am in love- with ...

Aug 1, 2007 Samantha Gillard     I bought this TV 3 months ago at Frys Electronics. Right away their was a probl...

My Experience: TV failed in 5 weeks???

Problems: I purchased this TV as was very aware of DLP using Lamps and Color Wheels etc. So I purchased the extended warranty to cover those items until it both failed completely or would be replaced if it could not be repaired in the future.

Well.... after a month of owning this TV the lamp light came on and the TV is flickering on/off and not showing a picture. I followed all of the recommended settings and do's/don'ts when dealing with lamp driven RPTV. The TV has now been out for a week and the service rep has not come and Samsung has absolutely the worst, condensing service center that I have ever dealt with. The lamp is a "USER" replaceable part and takes about 5min to replace and requires a Phillips screw driver.

Samsung did the following: Placed trouble ticket call.

Service Rep called the next day (impressive)

Rep stated TV would not be repaired for another week as he has to wait for parts and then dispatch someone to install. Totaling over 7+ days for a lamp that can be replaced by me.

I called Samsung same day:

Requested lamp be sent next day air so I could replace myself.

This is where the story gets really interesting.

Called Samsung - Rep: Very condescending and tells me that the part cannot be sent to me and cannot be sent next day air - after speaking with his "supervisor". I then requested to speak to the supervisor -

Then Rep - Tells me "Why would you waste his time and mine when he is going to tell you exactly the same thing"

Granted I had been very cordial and NONE condescending but at this point I was livid.

I requested a supervisor and did NOT release the line until I spoke with one.

Supervisor - "Apologetic and more professional promised that he could send to me but it would take 7-10days and sooner I would have to pay for full price of item."

I agreed to wait on repair.

The PROS:

TV is absolutely wonderful, nice picture. HDTV is amazing!

CONS:

Silk Screen Effect- mostly noticeable on brights, reduce contrast. THE MAJOR CON is SAMSUNG support and poorly produced parts.

The Sets are inexpensive in the beginning and HIGH maintenance in the long -run. I had started to like Samsung as a company as well as I own a digital camera from them. The service from them is HORRIBLE and WARRANTY repairs are worse.

Note:

All technologies have there PROS/CONS. I personally like DLP better, that's just my choice. The digital television age of flat-screen technology is still relatively new. But.....

If you are going to purchase this brand beware of the following:

Customer Service is horrible.

Parts can be pricey and repairs can be often.

Do your research and buy an extended warranty.

Update: 01/01/08 Service call placed

Update: 01/09/08 Techs arrived barely spoke English, had bare hands ALL over lamp in which I instructed them to wipe off lamp before inserting. Tech tells me this is no problem; they only service my area on Wed's EVEN if they have parts. Samsung dropped the ball in regards to competent technicians trained fluently on products. Samsung uses third party techs for repairs and do not screen them accordingly. Lamp replaced and TV still doesn't work, tech noted BALLAST needed to be replaced. Ordered Ballast and is supposed to arrive next WED.

Samsung called to check on issue. I explained everything to them and they stated this was the ONLY techs in my area (ATLANTA is LARGE) and that they could offer new service, but they would have to diagnose yada yada yada yada. I told them to send techs anyway and I would SCREEN them before they ruined my TV.

Note: Three repairs in 1yr, Warrant replacement TV. I will continue to update this issue as things occur.

NOT HAPPY

Update: 01/14/08 Technician promised on 01/10/08 that parts would be ordered and TV would be repaired on 01/16/08 - now they called and stated that TV would not be repaired until 01/22/08 and didn't offer a reason. The company name is Tech Pro Plus in Norcross,GA 3230 Peachtree Corners CI
Norcross, GA 30092 (770) 446-1700 avoid this company at ALL costs if you are in the Atlanta area. The parts have NOT arrived the company is very unprofessional and doesn't answer the phones.

Samsung update: 01/14/08 - I then called Samsung to report what had been told to me, I was hungup on the first call and the second call reached someone. Same attitude, very unprofessional and stated to me "Good Luck" and that it was reasonable that the TV would be repaired by NEXT Tuesday being parts had to be ordered. The rep then tells me that she could NOT reach the tech company as well and that they were doing the best they could. How could she know this? - She didn't speak to anyone.

I then asked her what was Samsung policy toward customer satisfaction and how could my TV be replaced. She stated Samsung is repairing the TV and that is good enough, I told her the TV had been down longer than I watched it. She stated "Good Luck" and then asked me if there was anything else she could help me with. I told her that this was unacceptable I was going to do my homework and find out my rights. She then replied "Good Luck" again and then hung-up.

BEWARE DO NOT BUY THIS TV. I will NEVER own another Samsung product EVER!!