Samsung Cannot Be Fixed

So, I brought my HDTV in for service, and on the 800 number from Samsung, they did tell me that this sounded quite like a capacitor issue.  I was also promised that it would be done at no cost to me.  Well, not so much...

I brought the set in, and I was then told that there was a $25 bench fee for diagnosis, and of course, this was not covered.  Well, I did want this fixed, so I went along with it.  The folks kept my TV for days, and kept telling me they had not gotten to it.  You can probably guess where this is going...

After almost a week, I am told that this is definitely not a capacitor issue, and probably the powerboards.  I ask them nicely to humor me and replace the capacitors, but they tell me no, and that the problem is intermittent and they are having issues replicating it.  I remind them that the startup issue only happens when the set is cold, and that I will be by to pick it up.

I had them demonstrate that the set worked at the shop, and they commented how good the picture was... duh.  Maybe they were trying to convince me to put some green into this.  At any rate, when I got home and tried the set later, you will not be surprised to know that I was able to get the prolonged startup on the first try.

I am still frustrated by the idea that not much can be fixed these days.  I also join the chorus of those that will never buy another Samsung product again.  Those companies that do not want to stand behind their junk, will simply not get my cash.

Samsung HDTV Issue

I bought my first HDTV back in 2007, a 26" LCD from Samsung. After researching it ad nauseum, I figured out that Samsung had the best picture. I was pleased with the purchase, but have to admit that over $700 for the thing was kind of steep, but chalked it up to being on the cutting edge, and figured it was the price of hi def admission. Besides, this was an investment in enjoying TV, and was going to last for years.

Or so I thought. At around the three year mark, the Samsung had a serious issue. It would take 20 to 30 minutes from the time the power was turned on until I had a picture. All was connected, and there was audio, but the screen was a dark gray, with blurs and lines. I looked into it, and it appeared to be a capacitor issue. The more I delved, it effected not just the 26", but in fact every size across the spectrum, and only Samsung models. To make matters worse, Samsung was ignoring the issue, and wanted to know nothing about it. Well, my theory is that big business can only ignore the little guy so far, and I replaced the set with a new LED from Vizio.

The Samsung went into the basement, and was ignored and forgotten. More than once I was tempted to put it out for the trash, but something kept me from doing it; perhaps it was nostalgia. And so it sat for almost a year.

This week, I stumbled upon that Samsung has not acknowledged the issue. I called tech support at 1-800-SAMSUNG and explained, no make that pleaded my case. They went into suck silly troubleshoots such as "Is the TV set plugged in?" to which I replied "Duh, get me someone else." I reached the next level of tech support, and when I mentioned the phrase "Capacitor issue," I got put on a quick hold, and they returned with a plan.

Samsung will authorize the repair of the problem, so off to the repair shop I go. So glad I did not toss the set...

To be continued

More info 1
More info 2
More info 3