4 year old Samsung TV needs new Screen!

Skinnydad

I was hoping that someone could provide some much need advice. I have a Samsung Plasma TV approx. 4 year’s old and it has developed a few lines down the right hand side of the screen.I called Samsung who referred me to one of their service centres for advice.The person I spoke to had stated that this indicates that the panel has gone (or going) and it would be approx. £500 to replace.Needless to say I was perplexed with this as they hadn’t physically seen the TV or performed any fault finding.As it was out of warranty (1 years manufactures) and I didn’t have an extended warranty then this is going to prove to be costly.I remember reading something from the sales of goods act that stated "Consumer experts say retailers are exploiting ambiguous legislation to wriggle out of their responsibilities. And claim the law is quite clear. The Sale of Goods Act offers protection against faulty goods even when the manufacturer's guarantee has run out. The act says goods must last a reasonable time - and that can be anything up to six years from the date of purchase.” Also a recent comment from ‘Which’ stated: You shouldn't have to pay a penny, even if the guarantee has expired, if the goods are faulty and less than six years old.

Samsung replied with the following:

With this in mind, each product is supplied with a warranty which protects it against such potential failure, within the terms and duration of the warranty. I understand from the details you have provided that it is now beyond the one year standard warranty which does mean that any required repair would have to be carried out on a chargeable basis.
On the other hand, under the Sale of Goods Act and even the new UK Consumer Rights Act of 2015, please be advised that the consumer’s statutory rights under the Act are against the retailer who sold the product, not the manufacturer of that product (unless you have purchased the product directly from the manufacturer).

The issue is I’m not sure where I legally stand in a case like this. Who should I pursue and is it worth it? Granted the TV is 4 years old albeit that it wasn’t in use for nearly the first year as we moved house etc. and it’s not as if this is on 24 x 7 as we both work and lucky if it’s on 4hrs a day.It’s not that we can’t afford a new television it’s just that I believe it has not lasted a reasonable period of time.Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

agrinnall

To me it doesn't sound like this is an inherent fault (present from the time of purchase), if so you won't have a valid claim against the retailer. If you want to try to claim I would expect them to require you to provide independent evidence that the fault was inherent. If you are successful then they might offer to repair or replace, but it's more likely that they would offer a partial refund, somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of teh original cost would be my guess.

Al_Ross

Skinnydad wrote: »

I have a Samsung Plasma TV approx. 4 year’s old and it has developed a few lines down the right hand side of the screen.

Thanks

How wide are the lines?.Are they thin,like pin stripe coloured lines?

[Deleted User]

My Samsung (LCD) TV's display started dying after 4 years.

So I phoned John Lewis and they repaired it. The end.

Stuff breaks. TVs don't last forever - always make sure to have 5 years cover from wherever you buy it from.

Skinnydad

Thanks Agrinnall appreciated. I was just curious as to where the legal term reasonable time frame would apply. I understand the nature of the 1 year warranty however imagine you paid 5 grand for one of these new TVs and a day after the year it went ti** up. I don't think you'd be happy. In the days of the Tube TV's we always went Panasonic and these TV's went on forever. Thanks AL, Yes they are thin pin stripe coloured lines and have not moved across the TV, I don't mind paying for a part and getting it fixed it's just the panel is a bridge too far. thanks

Skinnydad

Thanks Ringo that's the way ahead in the future either buy from John Lewis or Costco, 5 years warranty included..

Skinnydad

PS. Ringo I understand that everything breaks that's not my issue neither is replacing the faulty unit. That's the problem with today's throwaway society. The skip must be full of items that can be reasonably repaired or need minor repair. My gripe is what constitutes 'reasonable time' as in must last a reasonable time. thanks..

Undervalued

ringo_24601 wrote: »

My Samsung (LCD) TV's display started dying after 4 years.

So I phoned John Lewis and they repaired it. The end.

Stuff breaks. TVs don't last forever - always make sure to have 5 years cover from wherever you buy it from.

Yes, JL are generally very good. However, if you read the small print of their warranty, you will see that they can limit it to a partial refund as an item gets older if the cost of repair is disproportionately high. It is not a total guarantee that you will have your TV or a direct replacement fully functioning for five years without spending a penny.

[Deleted User]

Undervalued wrote: »

Yes, JL are generally very good. However, if you read the small print of their warranty, you will see that they can limit it to a partial refund as an item gets older if the cost of repair is disproportionately high. It is not a total guarantee that you will have your TV or a direct replacement fully functioning for five years without spending a penny.

Well.. JL fixed mine for free and it wasn't a cheap repair (entirely new LCD panel needed) when it was 4 years old.. and I do read fine prints for stuff like this. You can push JL for better service if you have to. They've got more flexibility than other firms in that respect.

Richer Sounds goes up to 6 years https://www.richersounds.com but never tried them

Al_Ross

Your fault is a well known problem with the Samsung Plasma Panel.
This is due to poor manufacturer construction of the Panel (Screen).

I would say an inherent fault. Try goggling your fault.

Which retailer did you purchase from?

You would need to get an independent report from a tv repair firm stating this. Then the retailer can make a deduction for the 4 years you have used the tv.

RoonilWazlib_2

Skinnydad wrote: »

Samsung replied with the following:

With this in mind, each product is supplied with a warranty which protects it against such potential failure, within the terms and duration of the warranty. I understand from the details you have provided that it is now beyond the one year standard warranty which does mean that any required repair would have to be carried out on a chargeable basis.
On the other hand, under the Sale of Goods Act and even the new UK Consumer Rights Act of 2015, please be advised that the consumer’s statutory rights under the Act are against the retailer who sold the product, not the manufacturer of that product (unless you have purchased the product directly from the manufacturer).

The issue is I’m not sure where I legally stand in a case like this.Who should I pursue and is it worth it?
Thanks

Samsung's reply was correct - you need to pursue the trader you bought from.
Whether its worth it only you can decide but as mentioned you need to prove the fault is inherent and that may be tricky.