LG's Privacy policy stops me using new TV

[Deleted User]

esuhl wrote: »

Anyway, if the customer was made aware that he was buying a standard TV without any expectation that any smart features would be functional, then yes, it wouldn't be an unfair contract. But I find it extremely unlikely that a shop would have sold a smart TV on the basis of there being no guarantee that any of the smart features would work!

I'm no lawyer, but it sounds like the OP has a good case to claim for the cost of the mis-sold television.

Do you think all Smart TV owners who bought Panasonic (Freeview or Freesat) or any Freesat TV or STB will be returning them or suing because the ITV Hub (on Panasonics) and C4 HD and the ALL4 catch-up from all Freesat models have gone walk about? They'd get laughed out of the showroom/court.

Bigphil1474

Colin, not sure that is the issue. Pretty sure Apps would be advertised as subjective to availability, and subject to change, and that will normally be known at point of sale. I think the point is that the TV is sold as a Smart TV, rather than a TV that comes with available Smart functions so long as you sign up to the manufacturers additional T&C's after purchasing which you won't know about until after purchasing. I think the OP has a valid point, it's just unfortunate that the vast majority of us don't get worked up about it as much as we should.


I signed up to the latest LG privacy policy on my TV without reading it, simply because I knew I wouldn't be able to use the smart function without doing it, and I use them quite a lot. Time will tell if that was a mistake or not.

[Deleted User]

Bigphil1474 wrote: »

I signed up to the latest LG privacy policy on my TV without reading it, simply because I knew I wouldn't be able to use the smart function without doing it, and I use them quite a lot. Time will tell if that was a mistake or not.

As already discussed, the chances of it being a "mistake" are remote-at least for the current generation of TV sets. In the future, there may well be valid concerns about the recording and listening capability of ALL our domestic home appliances. In the meantime, we've not quite reached the "Big Brother" scenario yet.

esuhl wrote: »

Do people really buy smart TVs with that might not even work by the time they get home and plug it in?! They must be mad!

They'll work as SMART TVs just fine, only the content available is subject to change with little notice. TV manufacturers don't routinely support the SMART functions after the first year. After that, regular internet updates are a thing of the past.

Yeah, they must be mad;)

esuhl

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

TV manufacturers don't routinely support the SMART functions after the first year.

Ah, so there is a guarantee that the smart features will work by the time you get home. What made you change your mind? Is it possible you will change it again and claim there is a two year guarantee of support?

[Deleted User]

esuhl wrote: »

Ah, so there is a guarantee that the smart features will work by the time you get home.

Where did I say that? I said the manufacturers don't provide any updates over the internet after the first year, but content is not guaranteed at all.

esuhl

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Where did I say that? I said the manufacturers don't provide any updates over the internet after the first year, but content is not guaranteed at all.

Sorry -- I should have ended that sentence with a question mark.

But you did say:

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

The TV works just fine. It's the SMART features which have to be enabled (and which can be removed at any time).

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

As I've said from the outset, SMART features are not guaranteed and might be withdrawn at any time.

I took this (below) to be imply that you were saying that consumers actually get a year's guarantee of support...?

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

TV manufacturers don't routinely support the SMART functions after the first year.

I still think it sounds crazy to buy a smart TV if it isn't going to be fully functional, either by the time you plug it in or a year later. If that was the case, it wouldn't make sense for anyone to buy a smart TV (unless they enjoy a gamble).

Surely it would be better to have a separate device to provide "smart features" that can be more easily upgraded and more cheaply replaced?

esuhl

If "smart features" are advertised as being a fundamental function of the product, and can be withdrawn a year later, then the customer must be made aware of such terms before purchase in order for those terms to not be deemed "unfair".

Likewise, any terms that the customer must subsequently accept that affect them to their detriment and which they were not aware of at the time of purchase would be deemed "unfair".

The only way that the seller can refuse a refund is if the customer was made aware of these limitations before purchase, OR if it can be argued that the terms do not affect the customer to his detriment.

(That's my armchair interpretation, anyway.)

[Deleted User]

esuhl wrote: »

If "smart features" are advertised as being a fundamental function of the product,

I think television is the only "fundamental" function. Everything else is secondary and extra.

I'm not going to debate this anymore. Perhaps the OP will provide an update on his quest for a refund, perhaps not.

esuhl

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I think television is the only "fundamental" function. Everything else is secondary and extra.

Not if the device is advertised as a "smart TV".

Do you remember back in the day when people were buying computers pre-installed with Windows and rejecting the EULA (end-user license agreement)? Retailers resisted and said they weren't liable, but some people managed to get refunds for their unwanted copies of Windows. I don't think there were any legal cases, though.

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I'm not going to debate this anymore. Perhaps the OP will provide an update on his quest for a refund, perhaps not.

Yes -- I'd be most interested. I can't see the retailer allowing this to go to court, but you never know. It's not expensive to take a company to court, and you get your costs refunded if you win.

Iamzee

Almost all TVs are smart unless you still prefer the old ones that are CRT models.