Samsung internal crack 50" plasma tv
Hello,
First of all if this problem happens to you I am very sorry - it puts consumers in a very bad situation because any retailer or manufacturer will typically deem a screen crack as damage caused by the owner and therefore not honor return policies and/or warranty coverage.
With that said, please remember the golden rule of retail, "If you b*tch enough you get what you want."
I am young @ 20 years old and have worked in retail (specifically electronics stores) for 4 years. I recently purchased a Samsung 50" Plasma series 4 from Sears and experienced the problem described above in almost the exact fashion except my tv was only 8 days old.
After reading this post, I immediately called Samsung @ 1-800-726-7864 and notified them of the problem and declined service (because I was still within Sears return policy) but made sure to get a reference number which proved I contacted Samsung.
The next day, I took the tv back to Sears to try and return it or at the very least exchange it. Trust me when I tell you, be ready for a major battle at the store. It took two hours of arguing with associates and managers before getting anywhere. And in the end, I was only able to exchange my tv but for a different model (non plasma).
Here's my advice if you're still within the return policy and attempt to return the tv. First, do not try and hide the crack - as soon as you talk to the first associate, show them the damage and explain exactly what happened. Tell them many people are experiencing the exact same problem and that fact can be verified online. Immediately following that conversation, expect the associate to inform you that the store cannot return any tvs with cracked screens. Don't waste anymore time - ask for a manager.
Now, explain to the manager what happened all over again. You will hear many rebuttals but what is important is to remain confident that the problem was not caused by you, the owner but was actually a manufacturers defect right out of the box. Prove this by demanding the manager to find any physical damage on the screen casing - also since only the internal screen is cracked, ask him to touch the screen. If he's still not convinced have him google, "samsung plasma loud noise cracked screen." This issue is widespread and well known in forums.
If all else fails, ask the manager for the district or regional manager's telephone number. Remember the golden rule and don't leave the store without a refund or exchange.
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If you're outside the return policy, contact Samsung and schedule a technician to come to your home. Again, stress the fact that many people are experiencing the same problem and the crack is internal (there is no external damage).
Make sure to get a copy of the technician's report because many people have said the technician agrees in person, "oh yeah, the problem seems to be a manufacturers defect" but writes on the report, "no picture - screen cracked." Do not let the tech leave until he provides an accurate, non-biased, and detailed report.
If Samsung still doesn't approve the repair/replacement then file a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I have read in many forums that this method seems to be the quickest and surest way to get Samsung to take responsibility for their defective tvs.
I wish everyone the best of luck in correcting this issue - and please if you're reading this before considering buying a Samsung plasma tv - DON'T - stick with lcd. I've owned three Samsung lcds for years with no problems.
f33n3y
