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FM
Former Member

Ok you lovely peeps out there that are a font of knowledge.

 

I have as much luck with my electrical items as Aimee   anyhoo I bought a Hitachi HD TV 18 months ago and surprise surprise it's failed and the warranty has run out.

 

Anyhoo it seems this is a problem for quite a few HD tellys (Samsung had a problem a while ago and repaired their faulty TVs for free).  Hitachi won't have a bar of it - they are saying because the warranty has run out and I didn't buy an extended one, I'm not covered so have to pay to have it repaired.

 

I was just wondering do I have any other line of recourse to getting Hitachi to repair it as I don't feel paying ÂĢ500 plus for a telly to break down after 18 months use with a well known fault is fair.  I'm sure I heard that even if it breaks down and is out of warranty (I'm clinging on to hope for this) but that I have a reasonable expectation for it to not break down after such a short time and they should repair it because it's less than 6 years old.  As I said this fault is well known - the capacitators have failed in the supply unit apparently - it clicks itself on and off and will only start after 30 minutes of fiddling with it.  I've been told to expect it to not start at all soon.  I've also been advised it could be quite costly to repair and to maybe think about getting a new television 

 

Also I did buy it on my credit card so would I have the option of claiming a new one back against the credit card company?

 

Any help would be most gratefully received. 

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Originally Posted by Aimee:

Can i just say i have been no where near your tv

 

I have recently bought a Hitachi Tv and mine keeps shutting itself down if im not near it when a sign comes up asking me if i wish to shut down, you see i have now moved onto TV's from washing machines

  it's no laughing matter - these things are expensive   I wish I'd done more research before buying an Hitachi TV because most people say they are shoite 

FM

 

 

Pengy

 

Your rights if something you buy is faulty

If something you have bought is faulty, you could be legally entitled to a refund (usually only if the fault develops soon after purchase and you act quickly) or a free repair or replacement from the retailer you bought it from. These two remedies may well still be available even after the manufacturer's guarantee has run out.

The Sale of Goods Act says that goods should be of 'satisfactory quality', and in practice, they should last a reasonable amount of time before developing a problem. If something develops a fault, the retailer is legally responsible if the product could not have reasonably been expected to develop that fault at the time it did.

So, for example, if the LED display on a ÂĢ20 DVD player breaks after two years you probably won't have a claim. But if a ÂĢ200 DVD player breaks down completely after two years, you may be able to claim against the retailer.

 

 

http://www.which.co.uk/consume...-rights/your-rights/

 

 

and I am sure you're right, Aims should also read this too 

Dame_Ann_Average
Originally Posted by Pengy:

thanks Dame - I'm gonna ring trading standards to get the facts as well (gawd they must be sick of hearing from me and what they say goes in one ear and out the other)   surely anyone expects their telly to last longer than 18 months!!!!! 

 

good luck Pengy.... and I agree, a tv lasting 18 months is really unacceptable 

Dame_Ann_Average

Pengy   thats awful.

Martin Lewis's site http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ is good on consumer rip off things like this. I bet if you asked on the forum there, you'd get good advice.

 

Also let Hitachi know that you are reporting the problem with their product on that site [its well known] and that you will continue reporting there what Hitachi do or fail to do about recompensing you for the shoddy substandard item. It may be Hitachi  might reconsider as the bad publicity / loss of goodwill would cost them more than issuing you a refund/replacement.

 

Good luck!

FM
Originally Posted by noseyrosie:

Pengy   thats awful.

Martin Lewis's site http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ is good on consumer rip off things like this. I bet if you asked on the forum there, you'd get good advice.

 

Also let Hitachi know that you are reporting the problem with their product on that site [its well known] and that you will continue reporting there what Hitachi do or fail to do about recompensing you for the shoddy substandard item. It may be Hitachi  might reconsider as the bad publicity / loss of goodwill would cost them more than issuing you a refund/replacement.

 

Good luck!

never thought of that Rosie - thanks 

FM
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
As well as the above great advice, I'm never sure that it is worth paying top dollar. I paid ÂĢ160 for my 32" at Netto about two years ago. My son paid about ÂĢ200 for a huge set at Asda living (last one on display) they normally have decent ones in morrisons too. Apparently the same firm makes most tubes.

you're right GJ - I don't normally pay out top dollar but I thought as it was a big purchase for me anyway, I'd buy a good one and then it would last longer 

FM
Originally Posted by Dame_Ann_Average:

 

 

Pengy

 

Your rights if something you buy is faulty

If something you have bought is faulty, you could be legally entitled to a refund (usually only if the fault develops soon after purchase and you act quickly) or a free repair or replacement from the retailer you bought it from. These two remedies may well still be available even after the manufacturer's guarantee has run out.

The Sale of Goods Act says that goods should be of 'satisfactory quality', and in practice, they should last a reasonable amount of time before developing a problem. If something develops a fault, the retailer is legally responsible if the product could not have reasonably been expected to develop that fault at the time it did.

So, for example, if the LED display on a ÂĢ20 DVD player breaks after two years you probably won't have a claim. But if a ÂĢ200 DVD player breaks down completely after two years, you may be able to claim against the retailer.

 

 

http://www.which.co.uk/consume...-rights/your-rights/

 

 

and I am sure you're right, Aims should also read this too 

 

 

Yay...   Dame posted it so I didn't have to!

 

Pengy, MrD is always invoking the "Sales of Goods Act" when we've had stuff that has bust when out of warranty, but still way before we feel it should have done.

 

He's pretty much always managed to get them to sort it (the only exception being on his laptop, but it was a few years old..   and did get them to meet him halfway on repairing it)..  

 

Whenever Comet & the likes try to sell us extended warranty deals MrD always tells them there is no point as he is covered by the Sales of Goods Act anyway  

Dirtyprettygirlthing
Originally Posted by Dirtyprettygirlthing:
 

 

 

Yay...   Dame posted it so I didn't have to!

 

Pengy, MrD is always invoking the "Sales of Goods Act" when we've had stuff that has bust when out of warranty, but still way before we feel it should have done.

 

He's pretty much always managed to get them to sort it (the only exception being on his laptop, but it was a few years old..   and did get them to meet him halfway on repairing it)..  

 

Whenever Comet & the likes try to sell us extended warranty deals MrD always tells them there is no point as he is covered by the Sales of Goods Act anyway  

I phoned Hitachi this morning and they say no but I do think it's worth writing to them and citing that act I wasn't sure which one it was so thanks for confirming for me 

FM

MrD reckons you definitely will be covered under the 1979 Sales of Goods Act.

 

Goods must be "fit for purpose".. .   The EU Consumer laws reinforce this Act.

 

 

He reckons ÂĢ500..    you should be getting at least 5 years out of that.

 

(also, your warranty should say that it in no way replaces your rights under the Sales of Goods Act, if it doesn't then they are naughty, but in the wrong...  cos the warranty does not replace these rights) 

 

 

 

He says if they dispute you on this tell them you will refer the matter to the local trading standards office 

Dirtyprettygirlthing
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
As well as the above great advice, I'm never sure that it is worth paying top dollar. I paid ÂĢ160 for my 32" at Netto about two years ago. My son paid about ÂĢ200 for a huge set at Asda living (last one on display) they normally have decent ones in morrisons too. Apparently the same firm makes most tubes.

 

I think the old saying "you get what you pay for" is, by and large right on more occasions than not in my experience. Although the panels (tubes as you refer to them) are indeed made by only a small number of fabrication plants, it's all the other electronics inside the set (including power supply) and calibration that makes the difference.

 

The cheaper sets that the supermarkets stock are generally made to a price and although may look the same as ones in other stores costing more, you will find the model number is subtlety different.

 

When you view thew screens side by side, you can see the difference. I frequent a number of tech sites and although I would not suggest you spend thousands on a TV, you can get some excellent, well made TV's in the ÂĢ400 - ÂĢ700 price bracket depending on screen size and whether you want 3D or not.

 

I started off with a Sony 32" TV which I have enjoyed for a few years. Great picture quality, performs well with fast motion and blu-ray/HD content. It's now in my bedroom because I went out and purchased a Samsung UE46D8000. Now this is a very expensive set, but is loaded with functionality, a super thin bezel and 3D. I spent ages looking at sets sized 46 inches. I read blogs, forums and reviews. So far this has been a wonderful purchase and I love it mainly because I watch a lot of film.

 

So getting back to Pengy's original situation. I note that you say the problem is possibly a capacitor issue. That does sound very likely to me. I had a problem with my PVR. It was a known issue with four capacitors in the power supply. I went on-line found someone who had put a "how to replace" guide on the web, went out and purchased the four capacitors and proceeded to replace them, at a cost of about 70p. Now if it is a capacitor issue and you can find a local TV repair  shop, you could go in armed with your info, let them know that you know what the problem is and hope fully they will only charge you for the cheap parts and labour, which should be relatively low.

 

I would also pursue your communications with Hitachi and local consumer advice as you never know what could happen.

 

Hitachi used to be a descent maker of TV's and other electrical goods.

 

 

Best of luck Pengy.

 

 

....

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities
That reminds me of the time someone dumped a Bang & Olufsson gramophone system in the skip at work. I was on nights and took it in the lab later discovering that the problem was a small fuse. Otherwise I disagree with the telly theory. We have been very lucky and you can't tell the difference. I recently saw one in Binns costing 1.5 kilopounds. No difference really. Essentially people buy those because they are names and because it is Binns. Probably cost about a tenner to make. It's a racket almost as bent as motor cars.
Garage Joe
Originally Posted by Enthusiastic Contrafibularities:
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
As well as the above great advice, I'm never sure that it is worth paying top dollar. I paid ÂĢ160 for my 32" at Netto about two years ago. My son paid about ÂĢ200 for a huge set at Asda living (last one on display) they normally have decent ones in morrisons too. Apparently the same firm makes most tubes.

 

I think the old saying "you get what you pay for" is, by and large right on more occasions than not in my experience. Although the panels (tubes as you refer to them) are indeed made by only a small number of fabrication plants, it's all the other electronics inside the set (including power supply) and calibration that makes the difference.

 

The cheaper sets that the supermarkets stock are generally made to a price and although may look the same as ones in other stores costing more, you will find the model number is subtlety different.

 

When you view thew screens side by side, you can see the difference. I frequent a number of tech sites and although I would not suggest you spend thousands on a TV, you can get some excellent, well made TV's in the ÂĢ400 - ÂĢ700 price bracket depending on screen size and whether you want 3D or not.

 

I started off with a Sony 32" TV which I have enjoyed for a few years. Great picture quality, performs well with fast motion and blu-ray/HD content. It's now in my bedroom because I went out and purchased a Samsung UE46D8000. Now this is a very expensive set, but is loaded with functionality, a super thin bezel and 3D. I spent ages looking at sets sized 46 inches. I read blogs, forums and reviews. So far this has been a wonderful purchase and I love it mainly because I watch a lot of film.

 

So getting back to Pengy's original situation. I note that you say the problem is possibly a capacitor issue. That does sound very likely to me. I had a problem with my PVR. It was a known issue with four capacitors in the power supply. I went on-line found someone who had put a "how to replace" guide on the web, went out and purchased the four capacitors and proceeded to replace them, at a cost of about 70p. Now if it is a capacitor issue and you can find a local TV repair  shop, you could go in armed with your info, let them know that you know what the problem is and hope fully they will only charge you for the cheap parts and labour, which should be relatively low.

 

I would also pursue your communications with Hitachi and local consumer advice as you never know what could happen.

 

Hitachi used to be a descent maker of TV's and other electrical goods.

 

 

Best of luck Pengy.

 

 

....

thanks EC 

FM
Originally Posted by Dirtyprettygirlthing:

The whole X-Box debacle (the ring of death or something)...     loads of people just accepted their XBox's were knackered, MrD's mate argued it under the Sales of Goods act & Microsoft replaced theirs!

 

In the end Microsoft extended the warranties on the first run of X box 360s. Glad they did as mine broke down twice before they eventually replaced it!

kimota
Originally Posted by Enthusiastic Contrafibularities:
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
As well as the above great advice, I'm never sure that it is worth paying top dollar. I paid ÂĢ160 for my 32" at Netto about two years ago. My son paid about ÂĢ200 for a huge set at Asda living (last one on display) they normally have decent ones in morrisons too. Apparently the same firm makes most tubes.

 

I think the old saying "you get what you pay for" is, by and large right on more occasions than not in my experience. Although the panels (tubes as you refer to them) are indeed made by only a small number of fabrication plants, it's all the other electronics inside the set (including power supply) and calibration that makes the difference.

 

The cheaper sets that the supermarkets stock are generally made to a price and although may look the same as ones in other stores costing more, you will find the model number is subtlety different.

 

When you view thew screens side by side, you can see the difference. I frequent a number of tech sites and although I would not suggest you spend thousands on a TV, you can get some excellent, well made TV's in the ÂĢ400 - ÂĢ700 price bracket depending on screen size and whether you want 3D or not.

 

I started off with a Sony 32" TV which I have enjoyed for a few years. Great picture quality, performs well with fast motion and blu-ray/HD content. It's now in my bedroom because I went out and purchased a Samsung UE46D8000. Now this is a very expensive set, but is loaded with functionality, a super thin bezel and 3D. I spent ages looking at sets sized 46 inches. I read blogs, forums and reviews. So far this has been a wonderful purchase and I love it mainly because I watch a lot of film.

 

So getting back to Pengy's original situation. I note that you say the problem is possibly a capacitor issue. That does sound very likely to me. I had a problem with my PVR. It was a known issue with four capacitors in the power supply. I went on-line found someone who had put a "how to replace" guide on the web, went out and purchased the four capacitors and proceeded to replace them, at a cost of about 70p. Now if it is a capacitor issue and you can find a local TV repair  shop, you could go in armed with your info, let them know that you know what the problem is and hope fully they will only charge you for the cheap parts and labour, which should be relatively low.

 

I would also pursue your communications with Hitachi and local consumer advice as you never know what could happen.

 

Hitachi used to be a descent maker of TV's and other electrical goods.

 

 

Best of luck Pengy.

 

 

....

I agree with EC. I remember having an Amstrad 3 in 1 tv/radio/cassette deck once as a kid. 3 weeks after the Christmas I got it for it was costing more in the tapes it was chewing up and I had to hold a wire coat hanger in place to pick up telly reception.

The entertainment set up my tech savvy mister has in place now is so impressive, when I go to some other places now I notice the sound is tinny and the picture is fuzzy

 

Oh and good luck Pengy, sale of goods act and fit for purpose based on reasonable expectation and use are great things to have in ones armoury.

suzybean
Originally Posted by noseyrosie:

Pengy   thats awful.

Martin Lewis's site http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ is good on consumer rip off things like this. I bet if you asked on the forum there, you'd get good advice.

 

Also let Hitachi know that you are reporting the problem with their product on that site [its well known] and that you will continue reporting there what Hitachi do or fail to do about recompensing you for the shoddy substandard item. It may be Hitachi  might reconsider as the bad publicity / loss of goodwill would cost them more than issuing you a refund/replacement.

 

Good luck!

I'm a bit shocked by some of the replies I got there - apparently according to one poster I should have monitoring my electrical supply as tellys can pop as a result   he also thinks I'm being unreasonable to expect a ÂĢ500 telly to not break down in 2 years  and they say that I need to get a report to confirm what the fault is and to see if Hitachi will repair it which I don't think they will 

FM
Originally Posted by Pengy:
Originally Posted by noseyrosie:

Pengy   thats awful.

Martin Lewis's site http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ is good on consumer rip off things like this. I bet if you asked on the forum there, you'd get good advice.

 

Also let Hitachi know that you are reporting the problem with their product on that site [its well known] and that you will continue reporting there what Hitachi do or fail to do about recompensing you for the shoddy substandard item. It may be Hitachi  might reconsider as the bad publicity / loss of goodwill would cost them more than issuing you a refund/replacement.

 

Good luck!

I'm a bit shocked by some of the replies I got there - apparently according to one poster I should have monitoring my electrical supply as tellys can pop as a result   he also thinks I'm being unreasonable to expect a ÂĢ500 telly to not break down in 2 years  and they say that I need to get a report to confirm what the fault is and to see if Hitachi will repair it which I don't think they will 

I think I found the thread

 

Oh no Pengy ! Sorry they haven't been helpful   Its usually quite good over there. Don't mind them. They've obviously never seen Watchdog  Everything in retail is negotiable. Look at the Sale of Goods Act success stories here. Keep plugging away. Still tell Hitachi or whomever, that you've written to consumer sites/TV programmes asking them to publicise your experience.

 

Keep going and you will get there

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by noseyrosie:
Originally Posted by Pengy:
Originally Posted by noseyrosie:

Pengy   thats awful.

Martin Lewis's site http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ is good on consumer rip off things like this. I bet if you asked on the forum there, you'd get good advice.

 

Also let Hitachi know that you are reporting the problem with their product on that site [its well known] and that you will continue reporting there what Hitachi do or fail to do about recompensing you for the shoddy substandard item. It may be Hitachi  might reconsider as the bad publicity / loss of goodwill would cost them more than issuing you a refund/replacement.

 

Good luck!

I'm a bit shocked by some of the replies I got there - apparently according to one poster I should have monitoring my electrical supply as tellys can pop as a result   he also thinks I'm being unreasonable to expect a ÂĢ500 telly to not break down in 2 years  and they say that I need to get a report to confirm what the fault is and to see if Hitachi will repair it which I don't think they will 

Oh cr*p I accidentally deleted my reply...here we go again.

I think I found the thread, oh no, sorry they've been unhelpful Pengy.   Retail / consumer issues like this are always negotiable, so don't mind them. They've obviously never seen Watchdog  Look at the sale of goods act success stories here.

 

Possibly still mention to Hitachi or whomever that you've written to consumer programmes and sites asking them to publicise your bad experience.

 

Keep plugging away and you'll get there 

I will 

FM
Originally Posted by Garage Joe:
That reminds me of the time someone dumped a Bang & Olufsson gramophone system in the skip at work. I was on nights and took it in the lab later discovering that the problem was a small fuse. Otherwise I disagree with the telly theory. We have been very lucky and you can't tell the difference. I recently saw one in Binns costing 1.5 kilopounds. No difference really. Essentially people buy those because they are names and because it is Binns. Probably cost about a tenner to make. It's a racket almost as bent as motor cars.

 

 

 

I am going to disagree with you not on your perception, because you personally may not be able to tell much difference, and that's fine. I know some people who can't tell the difference between SD and HD pictures!

 

But I have a fair amount of experience with displays in my job and there are differences between them. I think in my previous post I noted a few and could continue on... but I won't.

 

As for the shops like Binns, that has to be the worst place to audition a TV. All of the settings are pushed up to retina burning levels to make them look very bright, colourful and have loads of contrast. I personally would not by an ex display monitor or TV . They do it as a marketing tool.

 

It's interesting you should name the sound system by name "Bang & Olufsson". I take it from that you consider them to be a descent or high end make. But given your point about buying because of the name, it would seem logical that there is no need to buy a B&O, just buy the cheap Matsui as it would be the same. 

 

I'm sure we could extend it to other areas like so called designer clothes, just buy from Primark or why spend money on expensive perfumes when you can buy fragrance from the markets or buy food and drink which is supermarket own brand... we could go on.

 

.

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities

I've had someone from the CAB who deal with all types of stuff that Trading Standards use to deal with.

 

Anyhoo a very helpful person said I should make a complaint to Argos who I bought my telly off and do a letter to my credit card company for joint liability as I paid on credit card as I am covered by Sale of Goods act although I'll probably have to pay for an engineers report which I can live with.

 

I shall do that tomorrow 

FM

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