My Sony LCD HD TV Just Became a 44lb Paper Weight!

MOMO3.2 · 01-28-2009, 09:23 AM

DAMN!!!

I purchased a Sony KLV-40UM100 Monitor 2 years and 1 month ago for our "extra/music" room. It was used about 3 hours per week maximum. Anyway, it turned off and on occassionally over the time we have owned it. I thought it was the cable cutting out. Now it does not power up at all--ARGHHHH!!!

I researched online for a fix and found about 40 posts on my very model that stated the same problem. The fix is a board that costs over $500 installed. Worse yet, people have replaced the board and it failed again within a year! The design is totally defective on this discontinued model.

Sony stated that if I purchased the TV within 2 years and FAXed over the reciept, they would cover repairs. IT HAS BEEN EXACTLY 2 YEARS AND 20 DAYS!!! Sony says I am Shyte out of luck. They won't even discount a new model for me, despite the fact that I have been a loyal customer (36"CRT, 32"CRT, 3 Sony home theater systems in past 8 years).

So, I have a 44lb, $1,700 paper weight!

"F" Sony! Buy a Samsung.

Mike

VincentVega · 01-28-2009, 09:26 AM

Any chance you bought with an Amex?

Check your credit card docs, they might extend the warranty.

MOMO3.2 · 01-28-2009, 09:30 AM

Thanks Chris. I am 99% sure it was on M/C--doh!

ikarcuaso · 01-28-2009, 09:32 AM

Sorry to hear it. Yup, Sony is definitely on my "do not buy" list, along with Bose, and now, Polk Audio. I'd get a TV by Westinghouse, Vizio, Syntax, Olevia, or Norcent over anything by Sony.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Some MC's double the factory warranty - time to research.

I bought a toilet from HD and proceeded to drop and break it carrying it into the house, MC or Visa sent me a check a few days later.

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

I think Sony no longer has the quality and reliability they once had. My son's Playstation 3 took a dump the other day with what appears to be a fairly common problem. I have to agree, Sony is off my 'buy' list.

Dueller · 01-28-2009, 09:43 AM

We bought a non-Sony brand 37" (720) lcd for our bedroom. It died 3 months after we bought it. Took it back to Sam's with receipt yesterday and they were out of stock on our model. So we exchanged for a 42" (1080) samsung. And they gave us $56 refund. Prices had dropped in the 3 months we owned the other one.

pwd72s · 01-28-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Some MC's double the factory warranty - time to research.

I bought a toilet from HD and proceeded to drop and break it carrying it into the house, MC or Visa sent me a check a few days later.

+1 Our AT&T Mastercard doubles warranties...but I'd have to read the fine print...maybe only doubles 1 year warranties? Suggest you pull the file on whoever issued your card.

kmhemi · 10:49 AM

I have about 20 CTX LCD computer monitors that did something like that. They started out blinking on and off then died for good. they were under warranty and CTX refused to repair them. probably because I had so many..bought about 75 or 100 of them I took one apart and found bad capacitors in the power supply. I replaced all of them for good measure. it fixed it....works perfect... a GOOD tv shop could probably fix it for alot less if you can find one that is both good and reasonably honest. I would not trash it.....

m21sniper · 01-28-2009, 10:49 AM

I've had a Vizio LCD for 3 years now. Not a single problem, i would definitely recommend the brand.

My previous TV was a 53" sony projection that cost me a cool $3000.00 when it was new. That one blew up after just 5 years. I gave it to my sister who had it fixed for a 'mere' $600.00

tabs · 01-28-2009, 10:57 AM

Geeezus I just bought a Sony Remote Controller for my Sony 20" CRT TV that I have had for 23 years without a problem????

I had a Sony 32" XBR used continuousily for 13 years with only one problem that was covered by warranty...it finally died and I bought a Samsung 48" DLP..that had a problem one week after the warranty expired called Samsung they extended the warranty for a month, sent a repair person to fix at NO CHARGE...bin fine since...

I do like Samsungs...Sams Club..no relation BTW....had a nice 40" Samsung LCD for $1098, they just reduced it by $100 to $998. Sams club is also giving 18 months same as cash on electronic purchases over $499. Do ya think business is a bit slow?

Steve W · Steve W's Garage

Are you sure the date on that faxed receipt really reads 1/8/07?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Got snow where you are?

Put up a youtube video of you using it as a sled.

Heel n Toe · 01-28-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOMO3.2

.............it turned off and on occassionally over the time we have owned it. I thought it was the cable cutting out. Now it does not power up at all--ARGHHHH!!!

Sony stated that if I purchased the TV within 2 years and FAXed over the reciept, they would cover repairs. IT HAS BEEN EXACTLY 2 YEARS AND 20 DAYS!!! Sony says I am Shyte out of luck.

Without realizing it, you just gave everyone here some good advice...

The time to pursue warranty claims is when a product begins to act up... not after it fails completely.

Of course, many products won't "act up" when you need them to...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Of course, many products won't "act up" when you need them to...

that's why god invented rubber mallets...

onewhippedpuppy · 01-28-2009, 12:58 PM

Did you buy it at Wal Mart? Their Sony stuff has different internals than those found in regular stores. Sorta shady........

Eric Coffey · 01-28-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Some MC's double the factory warranty - time to research.

+2

Had my LCD rear projection fixed via credit card warranty extension. Just had to fax in their claim form along with a repair estimate/work order. Got a check within the week.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

If you go the repair route, there are a lot of guys on Craigslist who do it pretty cheaply. I had a part go bad on my 51" Sony rear projection tv and was reading on several sites that it was a $400 fix. A guy on CL did it for $100 and it's been fine for several mos.

MOMO3.2 · 01-28-2009, 01:42 PM

Thanks all.

I am definitely going to research my method of payment to see if there is an extended warranty. As I stated, there are at least forty posts online about the same issue with my model. It is a design defect that is gonna cost me, not Sony.

No Matt. I did no buy my Sony at Walmart...

Mike

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dueller

We bought a non-Sony brand 37" (720) lcd for our bedroom. It died 3 months after we bought it. Took it back to Sam's with receipt yesterday and they were out of stock on our model. So we exchanged for a 42" (1080) samsung. And they gave us $56 refund. Prices had dropped in the 3 months we owned the other one.

Some people are just born under a lucky star.