Complaint Review: Toshiba

It seems that there is still an ongoing problem with the lamps and now I'm the proud owner of a $4000 paperweight. I purchased my 62HM84 just over a year ago. (1 year and 3 weeks). I've looked online and found numerous other people that have had the same issue with all sizes of their Toshiba DLP televisions.

Talking with Toshiba they will not budge on replacing the bulb (which should have a life span of 8000hrs per Toshiba's site). They say that it is out of warranty. That is correct, however there is normal part failure and there is what we are all seeing in reviews and blogs for these products. There are some models that Toshiba is extending the lamp warranty to 2 years because of failure issues. However, mine does not qualify 'Because it does not have the same issue.' Well my issue is that the lamp lasts less than 25% of it's rated life span. Which sounds exactly like all the other people that have their lamps blow in a year or less. I just happened to be 'lucky' that mine lasted just long enough to be out of warranty so now I can pay $300.

The Toshiba rep assured me that they've switched manufactures of the bulb. So when I pay my $300 for a new one I will get a good one. The fact that they say that they've fixed the issue is of little recompense when I have to pay to replace a known defective part.

So those that are looking for a nice large TV, look elsewhere, because if Toshiba gets some bad parts, you pay the bill. And paying Toshiba $300/year to maintain a TV that you paid $4000 for makes you realize that they are not concerned with producing good products or making sure that their higher dollar customers are satisfied.

I encourage others that are having these same issues to post as many places as possible and make it public knowledge that these TVs come with bad lamps. If there is enough noise Toshiba will have to cover the defective products that they've sold to consumers.

Shane
Austin, Texas
U.S.A.