Plasma TV from Argos - Can I return it?

BillBurnside
BillBurnside Posts: 3 Newbie
in Consumer rights
Hi everyone.

I purchased a Plasma TV from Argos at the start of the month (and is therefore within the 30 day return policy)

However, It has already suffered image burn! Obviously im a bit gutted as its so new.

So, my question is, would Argos accept the TV back as either
a) within the 30 day guarantee (taking into acount ive been using it )
b) faulty

Any help or advice would be greatly appreiated!!
Thanks
«1

Comments

  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Image burn is an expected side-effect of plasma technology so I would very much doubt it could be classed as faulty.
  • Cool_Username
    Cool_Username Posts: 499 Forumite
    What have you been watching then? Seems a bit excessive for a brand new TV to be experiencing image-burn after only a few weeks of use.

    What brand and model of TV is it?
  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Cool_Username wrote: »
    What have you been watching then? Seems a bit excessive for a brand new TV to be experiencing image-burn after only a few weeks of use.

    What brand and model of TV is it?
    This is precisely the time one should be very wary of screen burn. Most manufacturers will recommend being very careful with plasma TVs within the first few months of use.
  • Cool_Username
    Cool_Username Posts: 499 Forumite
    When you say that manufacturers advise being careful with a new TV in the first few months, what exactly to they advise - what do they mean by treating a TV carefully?
  • BillBurnside
    BillBurnside Posts: 3 Newbie
    Thanks for the responses.

    The TV is a Samsung 42inch.
    The burn appeared after playing on my Playstation 3.
    The manufacturers warranty DOES NOT cover image retention/burn.

    Back to my original question, can/should I attempt to get a refund/exchange on the grounds of the product being unsatisfactory???
  • Cool_Username
    Cool_Username Posts: 499 Forumite
    BillBurnside wrote: »
    Back to my original question, can/should I attempt to get a refund/exchange on the grounds of the product being unsatisfactory???
    Certainly got nothing to lose by trying.
  • BillBurnside
    BillBurnside Posts: 3 Newbie
    Yeah I guess. Would I be better off not mentioning the image burn and going the unsatisfactory route?
  • RobertoMoir
    RobertoMoir Posts: 3,458 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I'd suggest it isn't up to the manufacturer's warranty, your issue is with the shop and imho a brand new TV shouldn't certainly be acting up this soon.

    If this type of TV is especially vulnerable to burn in when new (you learn something new every day!) then was this made especially clear to you? I mean if you knew this was an issue and disregarded it then it would be your fault.

    I mean I'd be expecting a wrapping over the TV screen or something like that with a warning printed on it if the TV is that vulnerable.
    If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything
  • custardy
    custardy Posts: 38,365 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    edited 24 January 2010 at 8:00PM
    if its image retention then it may fade

    http://samsungplasmatvfaq.com/index.php/Break-in,_burn-in,_and_image_retention

    maybe try a break in DVD?

    http://www.eaprogramming.com/
    Other plasma manufacturers avoided acknowledging the potential for burn-in damage on plasma displays. Samsung was the first manufacturer to provide consumers with the tools needed to combat it. Use them!
    Avoid still images (e.g. paused video game or movie) on your plasma TV screen for more than 30 minutes at a time.
    Avoid non-stop viewing of channels with fixed station logos or where the screen is consistently divided into fixed parts, such as cable news channels.
    Enable pixel shifting.
    Use Stretch to Fit or Zoom Mode when appropriate to avoid displaying black bars.
    After the initial break-in period, the potential for burn-in from constant displaying of black bars is greatly reduced. Some movies need the black bars to maintain the correct aspect ratio. While displaying black bars for several hours will do no harm, try to limit their use to those times when they are really needed.
    Use the White Screen feature weekly to examine your display for any evidence of IR retention.
  • Cool_Username
    Cool_Username Posts: 499 Forumite
    In my opinion the intention of the disclaimer written into the warranty is clear - if you buy your new TV and only use it to display a single, static image for a week, then obviously that image will become burned into the screen. If for example if a company uses the TV to display an information screen all day long in a shop or similar. The company can't be held responsible in such a case.

    Now fair enough the disclaimer is there and in a legal sense absolves them of responsibility, but I think it's pretty silly to argue that a new TV that is used for watching television or playing computer games - what I would term 'normal use' - should have an image burned onto its screen after only a few weeks of use.

    I wonder what is meant by 'treating the TV carefully' - it is only being used as any normal person would use it, not to display a static image day after day.
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