Monitor buying scared of dead pixels

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jonnygee2 said:
Ideally you want to find a store where you can see them for yourself.

Yes, exactly what I want but I doubt there are any except Currys, who only have a limited range.    

If dead pixels are so rare you would think manufacturers would be able to guarantee their panels 100%.   The only 100% guarantee in the UK seems to be distance selling limited for 14 days and then you have to bear the cost of return and the risk of damage in return.  US consumers can get 100% guarantees so why is the UK public not demanding the same?

You wouldn't expect or think it reasonable to buy a £1,200 monitor and get dead pixels.  I'd like to know if there has been any legal cases either won or lost for dead pixels in the UK.  I might try to find out.

jonnygee2

Why not just pick a decent store like Scan or Overclockers and then give them a ring to ask them how they'd handle dead pixels, if it's such an issue for you?

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Because surely they will just say we won't offer any guarantee except what the manufacturer guarantees?  But yeah I'll ask and see what they have to say, they may know which manufacturer has the best policy.  
Through my reading, apparently Dell UK used to have a 100% guarantee, but now they have a premiuim panel guarantee against any bright pixels or an excessive number of dark/coloured pixels

jonnygee2

Well you haven't called them yet so you don't know?

A_Lert

As mentioned, manufacturers and retailers usually say a few isolated dead pixels isn't grounds for returning.

UncleZen

I bought a monitor that was perfect for 11.5 months then developed a vertical line of yellow pixels. Had a hell of a job getting it replaced under warranty, bought from dabs who suggested I contact the manufacturer etc ,  suffice to say, I never used dabs again,  mainly because you cant speak to someone, had to use a convoluted system for getting it returned and replaced, don't know if dabs even exist anymore.

I have a friend who is  non computer literate and they've had a bright purple pixel on their screen, from new, that they thought was 'normal' 

Having said that, I think duff pixels are quite rare these days.

DoaM

Dabs is still alive but is actually BT Shop. (BT bought them out quite some time ago).

MinuteNoodles

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You wouldn't expect or think it reasonable to buy a £1,200 monitor and get dead pixels.  I'd like to know if there has been any legal cases either won or lost for dead pixels in the UK.  I might try to find out.

There have been cases and they lost because the number of pixels was within the ISO standard for the class of monitor they bought and that was the grounds they lost on, that they bought a Class 2 monitor and there was no guarantee of no dead pixels.

Manufacturers can guarantee 100% dead pixels but the price is much higher because of the lower yields for the panels plus the additional testing they require for each unit plus the additional warranty claims that happen because of a dead/stuck pixel which develops within the guarantee period.

There are retailers in the UK that'll offer you a 100% no dead pixel guarantee but they'll do it as a specific chargeable item on your invoice. Scan however only now do it for the 3XS range of laptops for an additional charge and it only applies for a month.

jonnygee2 said:

Why not just pick a decent store like Scan or Overclockers and then give them a ring to ask them how they'd handle dead pixels, if it's such an issue for you?

It's interesting to see Scan only offer it with their 3XS laptops for an additional price but it only covers the first 28 days from delivery, not the guarantee period. From Scan's FAQ:

What is covered in the dead pixel policy?

Scan is bound by the individual manufacturer’s faulty pixel policy. This policy is adopted throughout the IT industry, although not widely advertised. The faulty pixel policy is covered by the International ISO standard 13406-2.

In addition, we offer customers shopping for a Scan 3XS laptop an option to buy a Pixel Perfect policy at the time of purchase. If Pixel Perfect is selected then Scan will check the screen for any dead or stuck pixels before shipping and if the screen develops any pixel issues within 28 days of delivery we will replace or repair the screen.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/returns

TV & Monitor Pixel Policy

Please be aware that all of our Suppliers and thus Overclockers UK conform to the ISO 13406-2 standard - the acceptable number of dead pixels based on screen size and resolution. Information on this can be found through any major search engine typing "ISO 13406-2" and the monitor brand name. Products with dead pixels of equal to or less than those defined within the ISO 13406-2 standard will not be accepted for return.