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QVC Ripoff takes no responsibility for permanent image burned on new big screen tv West Chester Pennsylvania
I bought a top of the line 55 inch MItsubishi projection TV from Sears in October of last year. Within a few months there was an image burned onto the screen that is very visible when lighter colors come on the screen. Let me say from the very beginning that this "burn in" effect is specifically not covered in the warranty of projection TV's.
The image is of QVC's banner on the left side of the screen and their banner on the bottom of the screen. My wife watches a moderate amount of QVC, perhaps an hour in the morning and another hour in the evening. We had a Mitsubishi 50 inch projection TV for eight years without this problem occuring, even though my wife has watched QVC since it's inception.
I called Sears within 4 months of the purchase, and they told me that the burn in damage wasn't covered. They told me that the cost to repair it would be over $1000 because all three picture tubes had to be replaced. I emailed Mitsubishi, and got no response. I realize that the damage is not covered by warranty by either Sears or Mitsubishi.
My complaint is with QVC because the images are clear and seem to have been a one-time occurence with a specific price of th4e product they were selling clearly visible. When I called their service department I was referred to their corporate office and eventually called back by a lawyer. I must say that they were very responsive, and sent me a letter explaining federal guidelines that they have to follow pertaining to the level of color intensity of their banners that can cause this problem. It struck me as odd that they were so prepared for my complaint, making me wonder how many others found themselves with a two hundred pound $2000 paper weight.
My suspicion is that they went over their federally mandated guidelines for a short time and damaged more sets than just mine. There are no other images burned into the screen, such as banners from the sports channels I watch, or the annoying network logos that seem to be ever more popular with broadcasters lately, as if you needed to be reminded what station you are watching.
I guess this could be filed under the caption "Buyer Beware". The possibility of "burn in" on Projection TV screens is certainly not something that is prominant in a sales display, but perhaps it should be.
David
seaside, California
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
David
seaside,California,
U.S.A.
Final resolution
#9Author of original report
Tue, November 25, 2008
After much consideration, and three years to calm down, I realize that QVC was not at fault, and that my overly expensive television was a piece of garbage. I say was, because after less than four years it has bitten the dust. I watched the image on the screen every night, unwilling to pay the $1,000 repair until the next problem occured, which is the power sensor that stops the televison from turning on.
The repair person said that four years was two years longer than they usually last. I wrote to Mitsubishi again, asking about the problem, and didn't get a response on this one either.
Over $2,000 poorer, but definitely wiser, I have purchased a new Sony LCD 52", and will watch with amusement as they haul the old ripoff away. I will never pay for another product that carries the name Mitsubishi.
Dave
David
seaside,California,
U.S.A.
Something I left out
#9Author of original report
Sat, October 01, 2005
One thing that I had in mind when I wrote this complaint, but never wrote down, was that I was curious as to whether I might get numerous responses from other people who had the same price burned into their screen. In my mind, that would have strengthened the notion that it was a one-time event.
If, for instance, 30 people responded saying that the same price was burned into their screen I would feel vindicated in my suspicions. I didn't post that price on this forum though, because I think it may have opened up the possibility of someone organizing a scam against QVC, which I would never take part in.
Since I didn't hear back from anyone who had a similar experience, I will assume that I was off-base. It wouldn't be the first time, but at least I'm willing to admit it. It would be a refreshing change to have one of this site's trolls return the favor.
David
seaside,California,
U.S.A.
Correction
#9Author of original report
Fri, September 30, 2005
Faye,
When I posted the original complaint, "ripoff" was neither in the title nor the body of the complaint. As I'm sure you are aware, the screeners change the titles of your post, and in this case, added the word "Ripoff" and the address of the company that I filled out in the mandatory section of the form.
I didn't feel I had any recourse with either Mitsubishi or Sears because the warranty policy specifically excluded burn in. As I posted earlier, my "concern" was that other big screen TV's that were owned by other people viewing this post had only QVC burned into their screens also. As I also stated earlier, we had another top of the line Mitsubishi big screen prior to this that never had a burn in before, and if anything, my wife used to watch QVC more then than she does now.
Is it not even remotely possible that QVC surpassed the federal guidelines temporarily to cause this damage? Wouldn't that explain why I have such a specific burn in on the screen that lists a particular price? I would think that the price would become blurred after time from repeated burn in from the same channel, as QVC always has their price and logos in the same position on the screen.
As for not being a "ripoff" I don't really care what you call it. I have no expectation of receiving any compenstion from QVC. I posted this as more of a warning to others than in any hope of a satisfactory resolution.
What is curious to me is that whenever anyone posts a complaint on this site, whether valid or not, they are immediately attacked by trolls looking to pick a fight. I posted two complaints about Circuit City on this site before I posted this one, both of which I considered more agregious, although less costly.
On those posts, as in the initial two responses to this one, I was viciously attacked, only those times by the Circuit City troll squad. I guess that just goes to show the mentality of some people who don't value the opinions of others and would rather flame you than stick to the facts.
By the way, I received my money back from Circuit City, because I was willing to stick up for my rights, and was not afraid to do what was necessay to make my point. Like this post, the money really wasn't the issue for me.
As for the attacks on my wife, and her intelligence that were the subject of the first two replies, she felt enough guilt over the image burned into the screen without any attempt on my part to make her feel worse. I guess when the second replier accused her of being addicted to QVC she was ignoring the fact that writing to total strangers on the internet is an addiction also. He (She) who is without sin...and all that.
Faye
Crawfordville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Sounds like a television problem
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, September 30, 2005
I don't think Jodi worded her response appropriately.
But in your title you typed "QVC Ripoff"....then you later say you have no beef with QVC, you are only concerned.
You weren't "ripped off" by QVC and this is ripoffreport.com. In that vein, you should expect more answers like Jodi's, right or wrong. Some folks on here can be brutal.
The problem is your television, and it is unfortunate that the manufacturer will not cover this. They should, but that's just my opinion.
QVC just happened to be the channel that did it. They were well prepared with a response because it is true, ALL stations have federally mandated guidelines. It probably took them no time to pull those guidelines and respond to you with a letter of explanation.
David
seaside,California,
U.S.A.
Response to D
#9Author of original report
Thu, September 22, 2005
It's funny how Jodi seems to think it's my responsibility to monitor which channels my wife watches, and you want me to check up and see if she's spending behind my back. It's also kind of telling that both of you seem to think you're qualified to judge my wife when you don't even know her, making personal attacks rather than sticking to the issue.
It may be shocking to both of you that I trust her, just as she trusts me. I usually have to encourage her to spend money as she is always worried that we spend too much. I do the books, probably because I don't worry about it that much.
My point in writing this "complaint" was to find out if other people had had the same problem with QVC's banners, not to elicit personal attacks from a couple of morons who have control issues.
If you look at most other banners, they are either not on the screen that long or they are transparent. Believe it or not, my wife is not the only one who watches QVC. Most guys, like myself find it as exciting as watching paint dry, but surprisingly, some women just like to shop. Imagine that. To illustrate that point, I recently overheard one on the female hosts on QVC mention that they had just sold out of 175,000 rings that were priced at $172 each. That works out to $30,100,000 for that ring alone. I can pretty much guarantee that my wife didn't buy every one of them. Must have been the other guy's wife, cause mine didn't get one.
I don't even have a beef with QVC other than this concern. Everything we have ever gotten from them has been of the highest quality, and has been reasonably priced. So please, if there's anyone with even half a brain, please write back if you've had a similar problem. Anyone else who wants to take a potshot at my wife can kiss my a**.
D
Naples,Florida,
U.S.A.
David,
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, September 22, 2005
Your wife must be a QVC junkie to have the image "burned" into the screen like that. You might want to check her credit cards or checking accounts to see just how much she is spending on QVC. And have a nice day.
David
seaside,California,
U.S.A.
Response to Jodi
#9Author of original report
Thu, September 22, 2005
Newsflash Jodi, virtually evey channel has some kind of static image, whether it's a network logo or a banner on the bottom of the screen. I have a mental image of you sitting there with your legs crossed, trying not to pee while changing the channels frantically so as not to anger your husband.
I was only curious as to why QVC was the only image to burn in, and I certainly don't expect any claim of responsibilty from them, and I have no way to prove it. As to my wife's supposed stupidity, any woman who lets her husband dictate what channels she can watch is hardly a judge in that respect.
Jodi
Dubuque,Iowa,
U.S.A.
your own fault here
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, September 22, 2005
if my husband caught me watching a channel that had a stagnant image on the big screen ?? I shutter to hear my bitching out. that's why I DON'T DO IT !! I, because I know better myself, don't even pause our big screen on ANY channel and run upstairs and take a 30 second piss (that's talent). DUH!! you think QVC is responsible for damage to you TV? hahahahahahahahahahaha no rip off here, just total stupidity.