Panasonic plasma tv dead pixels

jllb

I have a Panasonic 37" plasma which is just over 2 years old. In the last week or so a thin green vertical line has appeared on the left hand side of the screen. I presume it is similar to dead pixels on an LCD screen, except this runs from top to bottom. The line changes colour depending on the colour of the background on the programme you are watching. I only had the standard 12 month warranty, but can anyone tell me if they have experienced this fault and if so, is there anything that can be done about it? Thanks.

danio_2

Hi

I have the exact same problem with my 42" Samsung Plasma which I have had for 14 months, Luckily i have an extended warranty on it as I have been told it needs to have a new panel, basically a new screen with the internal parts..(comes as one piece) which would cost around £600 if I didn't have the warranty

esuhl

jllb wrote: »

I have a Panasonic 37" plasma which is just over 2 years old. In the last week or so a thin green vertical line has appeared on the left hand side of the screen.... is there anything that can be done about it? Thanks.

If I remember rightly, the Sale of Goods Act states that goods must last for a reasonable amount of time. I would guess that a court would think that a TV should last for over 2 years. If this is the case, you could sue (presumably you would sue the retailler) for damages. The amount you could claim would be proportional to the price you originally paid, the amount of time that it would be reasonable to expect the TV to last, and the amount of time that you have had the TV.

I'm no legal expert, so I'm not sure whether you would be likely to win such a case, or how much you would be able to claim in damages.

The Money Claim Online website (run by HM Courts Service) may have some details that might help: http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/.

And some info regarding the Sale of Goods Act:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html
http://www.johnantell.co.uk/SOGA1979.htm

stringman

Faults like that can occur after physical damage.
Although I am sure that is not the case ther may be that argument used against you.
and by physical damage it can be just knocking the screen leaving no signs of the accident.

I once saw a plasma trashed by someones elbow gently knocking the screen. oops

mookie

We had this exact problem just within a year with a Toshiba, they said it was a common fault on that particular model and it needed a new screen, they couldnt provide the screen as it was out of stock so replaced on a like for like basis under the warranty.

edit, This was an LCD by the way so not just plasmas.

Freddie_Snowbits

Oh my deepest sympathy, when is the funeral?

harlemplaster

I had exactly the same problem with my panasonic 42". I've had it around 2.5 years. I have phoned panasonic. They said that the legal responsibility lies on the retailer for 'fit for purpose' complaints under the sale of goods act.

They said they would need an engineers report and receipt (which i can't find). Once this was provided, they would evaluate whether, and to what extent, they would consider contributing to repairs.

They gave me the number of an engineer (inde retailer). they were very helpful and said that it costs 65 quid for a call out to assess the problem.

They suggested that Dixons (my retailer) would try to avoid helping, but that if i really pushed and pushed that Pana may provide the part FOC, Dixons may pay for the labour for fixing it, and that i might get lumbered with the callout fee.

I'm going to try and get a receipt and ask Dixons for their view on 'fit for purpose' and 'life expectancy' of a £1500 TV!

I could live with that. I'll let you know how i get on!

Did you get anywhere with this problem?

4743hudsonj

esuhl wrote: »

If I remember rightly, the Sale of Goods Act states that goods must last for a reasonable amount of time. I would guess that a court would think that a TV should last for over 2 years. If this is the case, you could sue (presumably you would sue the retailler) for damages. The amount you could claim would be proportional to the price you originally paid, the amount of time that it would be reasonable to expect the TV to last, and the amount of time that you have had the TV.

I'm no legal expert, so I'm not sure whether you would be likely to win such a case, or how much you would be able to claim in damages.

The Money Claim Online website (run by HM Courts Service) may have some details that might help: http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/.

And some info regarding the Sale of Goods Act:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html
http://www.johnantell.co.uk/SOGA1979.htm

you cant sue them for damages at all

however you can get them to repair/replace, refund or partially refund the tv

harlemplaster

Q13. What does the "reversed burden of proof" mean for the consumer?
It means that for the first six months the consumer need not produce any evidence that a product was inherently faulty at the time of sale. If a consumer is seeking any other remedy the burden of proof remains with him/her.

In such a case, the retailer will either accept there was an inherent fault, and will offer a remedy, or he will dispute that it was inherently flawed. If the latter, when he inspects the product to analyse the cause, he may, for example, point out impact damage or stains that would be consistent with it having been mistreated in such a way as to bring about the fault.

This reversal of the usual burden of proof only applies when the consumer is seeking a repair or replacement. After the first six months the onus of proof is again on the consumer.

Q5. After the "reasonable time" has passed, what can I do?
You may seek damages, which would be the amount of money necessary to have the goods repaired or replaced. Frequently retailers will themselves offer repair or replacement. But, if you are a consumer (not making the purchase in the course of a business) you have the statutory right to seek a repair or replacement as an alternative to seeking damages.

Q6. Is it true that I have to complain to the manufacturer?
No. You bought the goods from the trader, not the manufacturer, and the trader is liable for any breaches of contract (unless he was acting as the manufacturer's agent).

Q7. Do I have to produce a receipt to claim my rights?
No. In fact the trader doesn't have to give you a receipt in the first place so it would be unfair to say that you had to produce one. However, it might not be unreasonable for the shop to want some proof of purchase, so look to see if you have a cheque stub, bank statement, credit card slip etc., and this should be sufficient.