Poor Quality Control???

[hotspur]

Hi Folks.

Went to town today (over a hour's drive),to go to the electronics retailers to buy some goods,main menu item being a LCD TV.

I worked out a 32 inch would do the job,I had the the dimensions of where I wanted it to fit,so took my little tape measure,and soon found a model that gave me an inch to spare,the next model was just too big.

We purchased LCD,got it home,unpacked it to find the store had given us the wrong size-the larger one which was a hundred dollars dearer,how the scan at check out did not pick this up I do not know.(we paid the lower price for the one we wanted)

Worse to follow was on closer inspection of the battery compartment,there was no metal bits in one half of the battery bay-there was no way the battery could power the remote-see images.

I rang the store,which I thought would have been pleased-there tally of items would be out on this model we bought at lower price.

Only to have them tell me they may not swap it over,but send it away to be fixed.

Surly,having a item for only a few hours to find it had bits missing would just be exchanged or refunded.

So no Ashes series on the wide screen tommorow:shrug:

I thought I'd post these images of the inside of the remote,there appears no printing on the circit board behind the battery bay.Thought some of the tec guys here could confirm its a 'dud'.

Then at least when I take it back,I can say experienced electronic tecs have looked at it.

Out of the 5 electrical items bought 2 did not work or had issues.

I find 1 out of 3 electronic items bought these days will not work.

The LCD cost quite a bit-not a cheapy,also the one we ended up with was 100 dollars dearer,than the one I wanted.:(Chris

[rally]

Chris,

I am guessing the 2 x 1.5v batteries would be in series to make 3v.
I would be 99% sure.

So the missing bit is really just a jumper - the springs are at the other end.

Why not try a piece of aluminium foil right the way across the other end (to connect the 2 ends of the batteries) at that end and see if the remote works - at least you will be able to watch the Ashes.

Isn't there a manual way of controlling the TV ?

Then again the way the Aussies are playing maybe you should send it off !

Good luck.

Rally

[taminga16]

Fold some alfoil to make a temp + to - connector.

[hotspur]

Yeah Rally.

I had thought of your suggestion,sure it may work.

But really after spending quite a large amount,I feel a customer

should not need to 'improvise' straight out of the box,-sure when item is older or a cheap

garage sale pick up we can all butcher and make up bits to make something

work-we all do that.Also there does not appear to be any printed circit board or wires behind the battery bay,(bit hardto show that in photos.)

I packed the Item up,and did not tapper with it in any way,as to avoid any

knock backs when I take it back on Friday.

Thanks for looking at image rally I'll tell'em a a instrument technician at the C.S.I.R.O examined it :lol:

RE-cricket-not likely going to be good viewing for Aussies',but my son is a keen cricket-and with all the wet weather he was keen to have a watch.as not much else to do.

Cheers Chris

[wasyoungonce]

Yeah they didn't solder in the battery tab.

Since the item was un-merchantable quality your are entitled to your money back or a exchange from the store.

Do not be put off by their bully tactics...making a loud noise in the store will get prompt action as it drives away customers.

Take it back ASAP!

[rally]

My suggestion was only an iterim one - so you could watch the cricket

Send it back the moment we lose the Ashes !!

Where's your curiosity anyway ?

[Tandum]

Just get a logitech remote (http://www.logitech.com/en-au/remotes/overview?WT.mc_id=apj_harmony-11q1_ppc_042010_au-google&WT.srch=1). I replaced 6 remotes here with a single logitech.

[issdaol]

Hi Mate,

This is a tactic used by a lot of questionable sales men/retailers.

If it is a brand new item purchased at a retailer in Australia, the retailer is obliged to refund in full or replace with a working unit fit for purpose.

Don't let them try to bully you with tactics. If they dont have suitable working a replacement in stock just demand your refund.

DO not try to modify it yourself as you will void this obligation.

Best of Luck

[taminga16]

As was mine.
Greg.

[hotspur]

Thanks everyone for your help and input,

'wasgreyonce'-I like that word 'unmerchantable',I will remember that!.

Yes,I will not do any moding,we have packed it away.I phone the shop,they tried the usual BS,but in the end they said that If an item is bought back,with the issues this one has,within 14 days they will replace it,or refund.

So,rally cannot see an issue there,its really the inconvinience of taking it back,the hassle of going through the ritual of exchange.and so on.

Really,these days going to a electronics store to purchase something is like some sort of 'electronic roulete',you know there is about at least a 20% chance,you will have to bring it back again.Living along way from these types of shops amplify's the issue.

Cheers Chris

[hotspur]

Oh-and the cricket,my money's is on the Pom's.

The Aussie's are'nt a 'team' any more.

Hope I am wrong,hope we see some good cricket (and some fielding),the

Aussie's use to be so good at that:shrug:

[mswhin63]

Most probably a green remote, zero power consumption.

[jenchris]

Oddly enough, as long as you don't 'use' the item - there's no such thing as 14 days - it's indefininte
You are entitled to a refund as it is unfit for the advertised purpose for which it was sold.

I took a drill back once - it died about 30 seconds in to using it - "Oh here's the place you have to send it to."
"Wrong" (loudly) "You WILL replace it or you will be seeing me in court and paying me damages"
"Here's your new drill madam."

[mithrandir]

A brand new item which has one or more parts which do not work is not "fit for purpose" and must be replaced or refunded.

As for refund/replace, it actually goes quite a bit beyond what you have probably been lead to believe. It's quite complex but statutory warranties exist for longer than the manufacturer's warranty.

As I remember it from an article in one of the PC magazines, if you have problems with a manufacturer or retailer over returns or "fit for purpose" or warranty, consumer affairs can decide what they consider to be an acceptable lifetime given the purpose and price paid and require replacement or repair beyond the stated warranty.

For example a $100 camera has much shorter expected and reasonable life than a $3000 one.

On the other hand, fireworks have a "one time use" expectation, so you could not expect to get a refund for ones which do go off.

[mswhin63]

Actually it is not just a refund it is either replacement or refund. That depends on the retailer.

[OICURMT]

I'm assuming you're English... :lol:

[Jeffkop]

If you examine the battery compartment where the end plate is missing you'll see those two vertical slots each having some sort of retaining lips up each side. The piece thats missing slots into there and it looks like the PCB retains it. Those are a dime a dozen at places like dick smith or jaycar etc. Anyway thats of no concern now ... easiest way to make sure your not taking a piece of plastic that doesnt do anything for a ride home is power it up in the store before you leave. Also make sure everything thats supposed to be there is there. Its a bugger I know, but with more and more manufacture coming from china simply because its cheaper (especially electronics) we have to adopt different buying procedures.
Best of luck

I dont know if this new left arm spinner is our savior ... but I sure do like his surname !!
Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi !!!!!

[jjjnettie]

Chris, was the electronics store in Kilcoy?
I'm having trouble with them at the moment with a return.

[Terry B]

It was a good thing that it didn't work. The Aust cricket team is currently 6/148. they will be lucky to make 200. Not worth watching anyway.
:shrug:

[hotspur]

No jjj,was at Kingaroy,

Cant really see any issue in getting a refund or exchange.

1, the item was not the one I picked out,there were two 32 inch LCDs next two each other in the shop the same brand,one was slightly smaller and $100 cheaper than the other.(when the boxed was bought up from storage and scaned,I figured it they got the wrong one there would be a disparity in the price,my fault I suppose for not reading all the writing on the box,but surely,this is not my fault they gave me the wrong item to begin with,If the item was the one I wanted,and had the battery issue,I would have kept it bought the bits from Jaycar to fix it.-However examining the battery bay behind the area-there does not appear to be any printed circit board or wiring-so there may be more of an issue than just bit of metal missing,)

(The main criteria for buying was the size-nothing else,I do not watch much TV its mainly for family. (the cricket is going as I imaged it would:shrug:)the reason I was particular about size is I want it to fit in TV unit,If I have to re-model or build another,it would cost more than a TV,so I am pretty keen to avoid any work,for something I do not use much

2.after we noticed the battery bay had bit missing,it went back into the box.:shrug: heading over to exchange it 2morow.

Chris

[tlgerdes]

The problem with "fixing" it yourself, is that you would have voided any warranty. Even though the handset is seperate to the TV, they could argue that your fix inadvently damages other things and you would be out in the cold.

Understand your consumer rights.

Also be aware, there is a national overhaul of consumer rights coming into effect on the 1st of Jan 2011. This spell out in much clearer detail what your rights are. BUT it doesnt cover you now as you purchased under the old laws. The laws arent retrospective from what I have read.

[snowyskiesau]

Might depend on the state but the choice of repair/refund/replace lies with the customer, not the retailer.
There are certain warranty rights regarding fitness for purpose, freedom from defects, etc that do not have a time period attached.

[wasyoungonce]

But do know your rights before you go to the store.

I'm sure they will rectify the issue ..but...you never know...so be forearmed (http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/refunds.htm).

good luck;)

[hotspur]

Thanks for the advice of members.I finally have the T.V I selected.

The one we took back,had no insides in the remote at all-no printed circit

boards or wires,so the alfoil fix it would not have worked.

Had to wait a bit for the shop to swap it over.

Interesting,I see the handset has a passed sticker on it,the other did not.

Certainly one good suggestion here by a IIS member-open the box in the shop to see if bits are in there,and open battery bay-if the item has one.

Not real fussed the image quality of these new flat screen TVs I think the old ones had better contrast,and image.But that's 'progress'.

I have had lots of different tools and electrical goods over the years,It appears to me most items made between 1920 and mid 1990's,seem to be of a higher standard in quality.

The gauge of thickness of metal.plastics and material always had a better feel,like it might last!

In the good old days many items used to made in Japan,always a good sign to my mind.The U.S also used to have too much pride to make and sell lower quality goods,although I feel their standards a lowering.

English and Australian tools and electrical gear also used to be of a high standard,but all the good names have been bought out and made in various parts of Asia.

Some of the items I can think of that are still well made are Canon L lenses and Alvey fishing reels,I buried a Alvey reel in the sand at Fraser once,found it Sixteen years later with my metal detector,and still worked fine (I bought it second hand at a garage sale-and planned this test as a bit of a camp laugh,but was amazed to find it and still be useable:))

Will have to check electrical purchases before leaving shop a bit better fron now on:shrug:

[Cloudyagain]

Glad you got it sorted Chris.

The consumer really has a lot of rights that most people are unaware of. We recently upgraded the kitchen and got 2 duds out of 3 electrical items (rangehood and oven). Rangehood was replaced immediately but the oven saga went on for 3 months until I finally had the sense to consult Consumer Affairs in Vic who informed me of my rights. New oven arrived in 3 days.

This is a link to the relavent laws on their website which I assume would be similar in other states.

http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/CA256EB5000644CE/page/Shopping+and+trading-Implied+warranties?OpenDocument&1=920-Shopping+and+trading~&2=010-Implied+warranties~&3=~

Also look at the "Refunds and Remedys" link on that page. Basically this states the TRADER must refund at the customer's request if the goods are faulty, unfit for their usual purpose or do not match their description.

This stuff should be required reading for everyone who buys things! Should be taught to the kids in school.

Neale.

[hotspur]

Thanks Neale.

Yes,that is a good idea,some sort of lessons in school,re customer/retailer rights.

Like someone mentioned,the quality of many electrical goods coming out of certain parts of Asia,is becoming more of an issue.Its ashame more electrical goods are not made in Japan any more,like they use to be,They always seemed to last better,and be good quality.

I've been told,these LCD's are unlikely to last any more than 3 years.The old
one lasted ten years,may be even longer.

Was,nice to get it sorted out,and watch the last couple of days of cricket,that turned out better than I expected too-a bonus!

Living here in the country,we had to use the old set top box to get channel 9

the one inside LCD,did not pick up that channel,but all the rest are OK.

Cheers Chris

[acropolite]

Chris, I don't know where the 3 year myth came from, probably from the same bloke who reckons they all come from the same factory..
Contrast should be good on your tv, much better than your CRT at least if you bought one of the more reputable brands like Panasonic, Sony or Samsung.

Most TV's come with default settings way too bright and have many adjustments including saturation and colour balance. Both my Panasonic Plqasma and LCD needed some fine tuning to get the optimum picture quality.

[tlgerdes]

Some people didnt like paying $5000 for a new flat screen TV. :screwy:

Next year Kellogs are putting vouchers in the Cornflakes packet, collect 5 vouchers and redeem for a 42" LCD TV.:question: