Richer Sounds TV warranty issue

[anthony evs]

Hi all,

 

My first post here after abit of googling on the richer sounds panel protection scheme.

 

Ok, I own a panasonic plasma that was purchased from richer sounds in january 2008, and i also took out the 5 year panel protection.

The plasma was at the time the flagship of panasonics range being th TH 50PZ70B, one of the best plasma tv`s available at that time, it wasnt cheap at £1299 + £139 for the warranty, but it was the best that i could affford.

At the time, richer sounds also supplied the panasonic th50PX70 at £699, still a good plasma tv, but not as well featured as the one i purchased, at nearly twice the price though.

 

Anyhow, its developed a fault with the screen and from past experience, the screens cannot be repaired, so I am expecting the tv to be unrepairable, or it being an uneconomic repair due to the cost of a replacement screen.

 

So, in the shop today had a conversation with a sales advisor about what pottential replacemant may be offered. His reply left me bemused........

 

He looked at the spec of my model, and advised me a LG plasma may be the offered replacement if mine was indeed unrepairable.

 

I said i initialy purchased a panasonic, along with it being the flagship model, and felt that a panasonic should be offered. No joy, he felt on spec, the lg was suitable.

 

Story.

 

I walk into an audi dealership and buy an audi A6 avant costing nearly £30,000, and have 3 months of really enjoyable motoring, when suddenly, an electrical fault causes an underbonnet fire, and the car is written off. The nice guy at the insurance company calls me up a day later and tells me that the audi i had bought is no longer available as the spec has changed and the technology has advanced so he`s organised a replacement, which he will deliver to my home today. A short while later, he arrives with the car. To my amazement, he`s brought with him a Skoda fabia estate costing £10000

When i ask him what is going on, he said as the technology has advanced this is now all he can offer, as it has the same spec, ie. air con/alloys/heated front screen etc... you get the idea.....

 

I agree that it has alloy wheels, 5 doors, metallic paint and gets from a to b, but that is where the similarities end. If i wanted to buy a £10000 skoda i would have bought one in the first place, i wanted a car that was on the tip of technological expertise, something that was sleek and modern in design, built really well and performed outstandingly.

 

I wanted and had the same from my plasma.

 

Now back to my problem.

 

At the time of purchase i could have also bought a LG plasma for £500, but i didnt like their design, build, picture quality etc... so i opted to pay the extra for something that was at the forefront of the technology of the day, received outstanding reviews from all journals, and history will detail, was the best panel of its day.

 

I would appreciate something similar in return.

 

I hope this has amused someone, but it has a serious line, I am really annoyed at present, and could do with some advice.

 

Thanks for reading this long post.

 

Best regards, Anthony.

Edited September 26, 2011 by anthony evs

[dx100uk]

nothing to do with the warranty sadly

you've wasted your money.

 

its covered under SOGA

 

unless in the T&C of the extra warranty specifically says you are entitled to 'better model' than offered under soga

 

soga states of simular current value & specification.

 

dx

[anthony evs]

Thanks for the reply, would have at least thougth that the manufacturer (make) would be offered..

[martin2006]

As far as i'm aware, there are only three manufacturers of plasma screens. Sony only make their own and the other 2 are Samsung and LG, so it is highly likely that your panasonic plasma has either a samsung or lg screen.

 

In any case, as dx says, soga covers you.

[dx100uk]

i would wave my arms around though about 'what benefit did your EXTRA warranty give me then, surely, sir, this is a crass waste of my money.'

 

dx

[anthony evs]

Hi Martin, I used to work for sony, and they dont make their own plasma panels, but do make their own lcd panels. Panasonic DO make their own screens. I agree that most of the other makes would have either lg or samsung panels inside them, but catagorically not the panasonics.

 

Thanks.

[dx100uk]

http://plasmatvbuyingguide.com/plasmatvreviews/whomakeswhat.html

[anthony evs]

Thanks for that link, interesting reading.

[locutus]

another link with interesting reading....

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?217445-Richer-Sounds-TV-Problem

[anthony evs]

Thanks for that link locutus, i did search and read that yesterday, but thanks for pointing me there anyway.

 

Cheers.

[locutus]

No worries, I PM'd John Clayton, so hopefully he'll drop by and sort your problems. I have to say I've heard nothing but praise about RS so hopefully this will be rectified to your satisfaction

[anthony evs]

Thanks Locutus.

 

When i bought the panel, the standard of the day was the hd ready panels of 1024 x 768 resolution, whereas my panel was one of the first with the 1080p full hd panel, hence the massive cost diferential against the others i have mentioned in the thread, but i recognise that 1080p panels are now the norm and the only panasonic 50" panlel RS sell is the 3d one, i dont wnat the 3d panel but i also dont want the LG, as as far as i1m concerned the lg is not in the quality / picture catagory as the panasonic.

Previously when i have had failures of RS equipment ( and over the years i have spent thousands there, and recommended alot of friends and family there) they have given me a refund and i have spent furhter money and upgraded.

 

Thanks or your intrest.

[John Clayton Richer.Sounds]

Hi Anthony,

 

I saw your post and wanted to take your opportunity to reply.

 

Obviously the last thing we would want is an unhappy customer, therefore please would you PM me with your repair and contact details? I will then able to look into this issue for you.

 

In the meantime, my apologies for any inconvenience caused, and I hope to hear from you soon.

 

Many thanks,

 

John Clayton

Operations Director

Richer Sounds

[anthony evs]

Many thanks John for your offer of help in this situation.

 

I am in contact witht he repair engineer thisafternoon and from that i will be in a better position as to the outcome of my tv, a repair or otherwise.

 

I shall for sure conact you with the outcome in due course.

 

Again, thank you for the offer of help.

 

Best regards, Anthony

[John Clayton Richer.Sounds]

Many thanks John for your offer of help in this situation.

 

I am in contact witht he repair engineer thisafternoon and from that i will be in a better position as to the outcome of my tv, a repair or otherwise.

 

I shall for sure conact you with the outcome in due course.

 

Again, thank you for the offer of help.

 

Best regards, Anthony

 

Hi Anthony,

 

Many thanks - I have sent you a PM today.

 

John Clayton.