Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Astro TV to pick up television this Friday
I got a call this afternoon from Dawn @ Astro Television. They have the light engine in and will install it early next week. I'm hoping this will fix it.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wednesday June 27, 2007
An update, still have yet to hear about when Astro TV will be coming out.
I just wanted to share something I read on ripoffreport.com and add my comments
Everything between the two lines here came from
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/237/RipOff0237276.htm#223579
_____________________________________________________________________
Respectfully, you handled this the wrong way
You say:'Purchased a big screen HD-61G887 tv at HHGREGG 10-08-2006.'Good TV.'Asked about an extended warranty. Was told $299 for 3 years and would cover any number of lamps that may fail within the 3 year period or anything else that may occur with the set.'
No. One lamp. If they offered infinite replacements of a $250 lamp, do you really think the plan would only be $299?
'It would take effect at the end of the JVC manufacturers warranty. Which would give me a total of 4 years.'
Not true. I honestly doubt your salesperson would say this to you. No ESP we offer starts after the manufacturer's warranty.
'Sounded great, so I agreed. I purchased. I asked for a copy of warranty, was told I don't need it, it is on the rear of my receipt.'
No, on the back of the receipt was not a warranty, but a return/exchange policy. HH Gregg no longer hands out warranty certificates, they are unnecessary as all the pertinent information is stored in the computer.'
Set was delivered and the picture was so unbearable to look at I decided to call and return it or repair. Found that the 10 day warranty ran out. I was not enformed of the 10 policy. My stupid-ness for not asking.'
The 10-day policy is not a warranty, it's a return policy. It is clearly posted in many locations in the store, and is on the receipt as well. You should never assume that two retailers have the same policy.Your next mistake was calling JVC. They know nothing about your warranty situation with GE. You should have called the HH Gregg service number you were probably provided. JVC would service it under their conditions, not the extended warranty conditions. Had you called the HH Gregg number, you probably could have had this resolved long ago.
'I canceled the warranty from HHGREGG's GE Warranty provider.. They took out money for the pro-rated clause they have. That was approx 50 bucks. I complained about that since it hadn't been used yet.'
If you wanted to cancel your car insurance mid-month, do you think they'd let you do it without paying for the days that had already passed?
'I called HHGREGG and told them of all this. Two of their sales people told me that they also thought there was a no limit replacement of the lamps and that the warranty did take effect after the manufacturers.'
I can't fathom that not one, but two salespeople would say that. If they did, then there should be some serious retraining in that store.
____________________________________________________________________
To address the first comment the supposed HHGregg insider/employee made. When you used to purchase a television, you did not need to worry about a television blowing lamps THAT often. I got married 24 years ago, and still have that old TV, and I've never replaced a lamp or bulb in it. To me, it sounds like HHGregg is trying to make sure that there is no possible way for the customer to need more repairs than the $275 initial cost. When I buy a major appliance, I EXPECT it to be working, at the very least that first year.
Second comment: "No ESP we offer starts after the manufacturer's warranty." ESP is a business acronymn that anybody who has not worked in the retail industry will not know. I want to point that out, as you read old Stormy's comments, telling me how ignorant I was, and how wonderful a store HHGregg was. If you asked me, I would believe Stormy was a manager, or employee at HHGregg. Unfortunately, he was not intelligent enough to properly sound like a customer.
The third and fourth comment: Why does HHGregg not hand out written terms of their warranties? Is it so that sales reps can say whatever they need to to sell them, and the customer has no real way of proving this?
Fifth comment: If the consumer calls HHGregg to do warranty work on their television, and they replace the lamp, what good is their warranty for the next one that goes out? What the customer may have been lead to believe, could possibly be different than your actual policy. How does HHGregg find so many employees who appear to have never taken a "business ethics" course?
Hopefully the American consumer will get a bit wiser as we learn from our expensive mistakes.
I just wanted to share something I read on ripoffreport.com and add my comments
Everything between the two lines here came from
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/237/RipOff0237276.htm#223579
_____________________________________________________________________
Respectfully, you handled this the wrong way
You say:'Purchased a big screen HD-61G887 tv at HHGREGG 10-08-2006.'Good TV.'Asked about an extended warranty. Was told $299 for 3 years and would cover any number of lamps that may fail within the 3 year period or anything else that may occur with the set.'
No. One lamp. If they offered infinite replacements of a $250 lamp, do you really think the plan would only be $299?
'It would take effect at the end of the JVC manufacturers warranty. Which would give me a total of 4 years.'
Not true. I honestly doubt your salesperson would say this to you. No ESP we offer starts after the manufacturer's warranty.
'Sounded great, so I agreed. I purchased. I asked for a copy of warranty, was told I don't need it, it is on the rear of my receipt.'
No, on the back of the receipt was not a warranty, but a return/exchange policy. HH Gregg no longer hands out warranty certificates, they are unnecessary as all the pertinent information is stored in the computer.'
Set was delivered and the picture was so unbearable to look at I decided to call and return it or repair. Found that the 10 day warranty ran out. I was not enformed of the 10 policy. My stupid-ness for not asking.'
The 10-day policy is not a warranty, it's a return policy. It is clearly posted in many locations in the store, and is on the receipt as well. You should never assume that two retailers have the same policy.Your next mistake was calling JVC. They know nothing about your warranty situation with GE. You should have called the HH Gregg service number you were probably provided. JVC would service it under their conditions, not the extended warranty conditions. Had you called the HH Gregg number, you probably could have had this resolved long ago.
'I canceled the warranty from HHGREGG's GE Warranty provider.. They took out money for the pro-rated clause they have. That was approx 50 bucks. I complained about that since it hadn't been used yet.'
If you wanted to cancel your car insurance mid-month, do you think they'd let you do it without paying for the days that had already passed?
'I called HHGREGG and told them of all this. Two of their sales people told me that they also thought there was a no limit replacement of the lamps and that the warranty did take effect after the manufacturers.'
I can't fathom that not one, but two salespeople would say that. If they did, then there should be some serious retraining in that store.
____________________________________________________________________
To address the first comment the supposed HHGregg insider/employee made. When you used to purchase a television, you did not need to worry about a television blowing lamps THAT often. I got married 24 years ago, and still have that old TV, and I've never replaced a lamp or bulb in it. To me, it sounds like HHGregg is trying to make sure that there is no possible way for the customer to need more repairs than the $275 initial cost. When I buy a major appliance, I EXPECT it to be working, at the very least that first year.
Second comment: "No ESP we offer starts after the manufacturer's warranty." ESP is a business acronymn that anybody who has not worked in the retail industry will not know. I want to point that out, as you read old Stormy's comments, telling me how ignorant I was, and how wonderful a store HHGregg was. If you asked me, I would believe Stormy was a manager, or employee at HHGregg. Unfortunately, he was not intelligent enough to properly sound like a customer.
The third and fourth comment: Why does HHGregg not hand out written terms of their warranties? Is it so that sales reps can say whatever they need to to sell them, and the customer has no real way of proving this?
Fifth comment: If the consumer calls HHGregg to do warranty work on their television, and they replace the lamp, what good is their warranty for the next one that goes out? What the customer may have been lead to believe, could possibly be different than your actual policy. How does HHGregg find so many employees who appear to have never taken a "business ethics" course?
Hopefully the American consumer will get a bit wiser as we learn from our expensive mistakes.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday June 25, 2007
Thanks to all my friends who have been asking about my hhgregg "experience". I was in church Sunday, and a friend came up and asked me how things were going. She told me she had trouble with hhgregg as well in the past. She said it took her a couple of months to get it resolved, and it only got resolved after filing a complaint through the Tennessee Bureau of Consumer Affairs. Her question was "Joe, how do they stay in business?".
I don't know the answer to that question. But what I do know is that I really did not do my checking before dealing with this company. I should have checked the BBB prior, my mistake. What I can do is try to make this information a little more public. I did learn a little from that "stormy" person. No, he did not show many signs of intelligence. He seemed to be a bit obsessed about my putting down a company that I spent a good bit of money with. But he did make some valid points too. Specially about the warranty. I think on a good number of products you really don't need a extended warranty. If I'm spending $300 on a washing machine, I'll take my chances. But these rear projection DLP sets seem to be having a good bit of trouble from what I've seen. The unusual thing is that its not all of them. My buddy Steve has had one a good bit longer than I and has never replaced a bulb. However, if you are going to purchase an extended warranty. Do some investigation on the company first. Go to the BBB. See how that company's ratings are, and what the BBB recommends. If I would have done that prior, I would have never walked into HHGregg. Purchasing an appliance that works perfectly can happen anywhere. I'm sure plenty of folks have purchased products from HHGregg here in Knoxville. If they work all the time as they are supposed to, you really don't need "customer service". Its the problems I'm seeing when things are not working as they are supposed to. Those are the times you really see the value of the "customer service". As for stormy and his decision to purchase at HHGregg because of my blog. Well, with the information I have here, and the links to the better business bureau, and ripoffreport.com. I'm pretty sure he made a wise decision. I'm pretty sure he was not biased in any way.
I did hear from Leah Bullock again today around 3:43 this afternoon. She was confirming that Toshiba will be replacing the light engine. If that fixes it, I really am happy. It is a beautiful television when it works.
I"ll as well start working on a page of resources for folks who do end up with a purchase from HHGregg in TN. Ways of using the government to help you get your problems dealt with instead of having to deal with "management?" like Russ "you call toshiba" Best. I'll also continue to promote the site and kick it up a bit so folks don't fall into the same boat I did. If you have a story to tell and you would like me to post it, email me at hyggie@gmail.com. If you found my site, please let me know how you found it, and let me know if it has helped you become a better consumer.
I don't know the answer to that question. But what I do know is that I really did not do my checking before dealing with this company. I should have checked the BBB prior, my mistake. What I can do is try to make this information a little more public. I did learn a little from that "stormy" person. No, he did not show many signs of intelligence. He seemed to be a bit obsessed about my putting down a company that I spent a good bit of money with. But he did make some valid points too. Specially about the warranty. I think on a good number of products you really don't need a extended warranty. If I'm spending $300 on a washing machine, I'll take my chances. But these rear projection DLP sets seem to be having a good bit of trouble from what I've seen. The unusual thing is that its not all of them. My buddy Steve has had one a good bit longer than I and has never replaced a bulb. However, if you are going to purchase an extended warranty. Do some investigation on the company first. Go to the BBB. See how that company's ratings are, and what the BBB recommends. If I would have done that prior, I would have never walked into HHGregg. Purchasing an appliance that works perfectly can happen anywhere. I'm sure plenty of folks have purchased products from HHGregg here in Knoxville. If they work all the time as they are supposed to, you really don't need "customer service". Its the problems I'm seeing when things are not working as they are supposed to. Those are the times you really see the value of the "customer service". As for stormy and his decision to purchase at HHGregg because of my blog. Well, with the information I have here, and the links to the better business bureau, and ripoffreport.com. I'm pretty sure he made a wise decision. I'm pretty sure he was not biased in any way.
I did hear from Leah Bullock again today around 3:43 this afternoon. She was confirming that Toshiba will be replacing the light engine. If that fixes it, I really am happy. It is a beautiful television when it works.
I"ll as well start working on a page of resources for folks who do end up with a purchase from HHGregg in TN. Ways of using the government to help you get your problems dealt with instead of having to deal with "management?" like Russ "you call toshiba" Best. I'll also continue to promote the site and kick it up a bit so folks don't fall into the same boat I did. If you have a story to tell and you would like me to post it, email me at hyggie@gmail.com. If you found my site, please let me know how you found it, and let me know if it has helped you become a better consumer.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Don't Miss!
Hey now, don't miss the comments on the "Thursday the 21st" posting. Its absolutely amazing how some ANONYMOUS "consumers" are responding. Rock on Stormy, you intelligent "consumer" you :D
Friday, June 22, 2007
6/22/07 Toshiba Calls
Around 11 this morning I received two phone calls at the same time from Toshiba. I only got the one and the second went to voice mail. The second was someone named Evette who called from 800-351-5481. She requested I call her back at 800-631-3811 and ask for customer service. I tried that number, but could not tell how to get to customer service. I am assuming that it is in regards to the same thing which I did speak to someone at Toshiba with.
The fellow who did contact me from that same number 800-351-5481 told me he was going to dispatch someone out to my house from Astro Television to replace my light engine. When I asked if he was certain that this would fix the problem I did not get a positive answer. When asked if Toshiba can sell me an extended warranty at this point, they said no. So both Toshiba and HHGregg can not sell me an extended warranty on this television they tell me. I asked what would happen if the lamp burns out again right after the warranty runs out. His response was that they would have to make a decision at that time if they will help me or not.
At this point, I am happy that they are sending someone out to replace the light engine. Do I know that that will fix the problem? I don't honestly, and it seems like Toshiba doesn't know for sure either. Toshiba says that the average lamp life is "approximately 8,000 hours in low power mode and approximately 6,000 hours in high power mode".
Right now, I'm under the belief that HHGregg applied some pressure on Toshiba to do something for me. For that I am thankful, though it is something I would expect as a consumer from the vendor especially on such a big purchase. When the local manager Russ Best told me to deal with Toshiba myself, I lost a good bit of respect for the company. My intentions are to keep updating this until the television problems resolved. I'll post updates as I am contacted, or as things happen with the television. After the light engine is replaced, I'll wait a year, or 80% of expected lamp life with no problems blowing lamps, whichever come first, and then remove this blog.
The fellow who did contact me from that same number 800-351-5481 told me he was going to dispatch someone out to my house from Astro Television to replace my light engine. When I asked if he was certain that this would fix the problem I did not get a positive answer. When asked if Toshiba can sell me an extended warranty at this point, they said no. So both Toshiba and HHGregg can not sell me an extended warranty on this television they tell me. I asked what would happen if the lamp burns out again right after the warranty runs out. His response was that they would have to make a decision at that time if they will help me or not.
At this point, I am happy that they are sending someone out to replace the light engine. Do I know that that will fix the problem? I don't honestly, and it seems like Toshiba doesn't know for sure either. Toshiba says that the average lamp life is "approximately 8,000 hours in low power mode and approximately 6,000 hours in high power mode".
Right now, I'm under the belief that HHGregg applied some pressure on Toshiba to do something for me. For that I am thankful, though it is something I would expect as a consumer from the vendor especially on such a big purchase. When the local manager Russ Best told me to deal with Toshiba myself, I lost a good bit of respect for the company. My intentions are to keep updating this until the television problems resolved. I'll post updates as I am contacted, or as things happen with the television. After the light engine is replaced, I'll wait a year, or 80% of expected lamp life with no problems blowing lamps, whichever come first, and then remove this blog.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Thursday the 21st
Ok, so Leah Bullock left me a message on my answering machine at home today. Every other time she has called my cell, not sure why she chose to call my house while I'm at work, but... She said something to the effect of. Your tv is working right now, I don't think there is anything I can do for you. Which leaves me with a television that blows $200 - $300 lamps every couple of months.
It feels like I am hitting the end of the rope with HHGregg. It also appears as though they really do want you to have to be so aggressive with them that you end up giving up. That is just too much money for me to just give up though.
And here is where you come in. I'll begin by promoting this blog. After you have gotten done reading whatever parts you do read. Please consider calling the manager here in Knoxville Russ Best at 865-947-3495. Congratulate him on the profit he made off the television I purchased. Yeah, if I get stuck with it, it just may sit in my garage as I really can't afford $200 every couple of months. I couldn't sell it to somebody else. I don't think I would be able to go to sleep at night if I did. But he made that sale! He's more of a man than I am. Congratulate him as well on the Toshiba televisions he still has in his store and continues to make a profit off of.
Russ and HHGregg, I hope the money you make and made is sweet enough to help you forget that some of the people you made it off of get left with a lemon. I've never seen money that sweet myself, but I guess there must be some out there :D
Thanks to all who do help.
Joe Doheny
hyggie@gmail.com
It feels like I am hitting the end of the rope with HHGregg. It also appears as though they really do want you to have to be so aggressive with them that you end up giving up. That is just too much money for me to just give up though.
And here is where you come in. I'll begin by promoting this blog. After you have gotten done reading whatever parts you do read. Please consider calling the manager here in Knoxville Russ Best at 865-947-3495. Congratulate him on the profit he made off the television I purchased. Yeah, if I get stuck with it, it just may sit in my garage as I really can't afford $200 every couple of months. I couldn't sell it to somebody else. I don't think I would be able to go to sleep at night if I did. But he made that sale! He's more of a man than I am. Congratulate him as well on the Toshiba televisions he still has in his store and continues to make a profit off of.
Russ and HHGregg, I hope the money you make and made is sweet enough to help you forget that some of the people you made it off of get left with a lemon. I've never seen money that sweet myself, but I guess there must be some out there :D
Thanks to all who do help.
Joe Doheny
hyggie@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Astro TV called
Dawn Corbit from Astro TV just called me. She said she spoke with someone from HHGregg that said that I told HHGregg that "Astro TV told me they can not fix my tv". I believe this was the same person I spoke to last week, but I am not certain. I explained the following to Dawn.
I spoke this morning to Leah Bullock, who called on a followup and asked me how things went previously with Astro TV. (I got the name wrong in the previous post, it was Astro TV not Ashville TV). I told Leah that the person at Astro asked me what the reason why Astro was being called. I told Leah that when I spoke to Astro last week, Astro told me that Astro can NOT replace the ballast. She said it was part of the whole light engine, and that Toshiba will not let them change the light engine.
Dawn Corbit just now told me that the lamps are a new technology, and I could have just gotten a few bad bulbs. I told her about my searching the web for 62HMX95 lamp problems, leads me to a large number of folks who are having to replace bulbs every 2 to 3 months. I know folks here who have had their rear projection DLP for quite some time and have yet to replace a bulb. When I talked to Steve Miles at HHGregg and the salesrep there, I was told I should need to replace bulbs about once every other year.
Dawn told me that if the TV is working now then they really can not troubleshoot the television. I told her it is functional now, but something is causing the television to blow bulbs way too often. She said it could possibly be some bad bulbs, but if I'm having this trouble, and others are having this trouble. Shouldn't Toshiba recall these products and fix the problem? When Toshiba claims a lamp should last so long, and it doesn't last a tenth of that time, would that not constitute a problem? If they can't make lamps to last as long as they claim, should they be in the business of selling this technology of television?
I spoke this morning to Leah Bullock, who called on a followup and asked me how things went previously with Astro TV. (I got the name wrong in the previous post, it was Astro TV not Ashville TV). I told Leah that the person at Astro asked me what the reason why Astro was being called. I told Leah that when I spoke to Astro last week, Astro told me that Astro can NOT replace the ballast. She said it was part of the whole light engine, and that Toshiba will not let them change the light engine.
Dawn Corbit just now told me that the lamps are a new technology, and I could have just gotten a few bad bulbs. I told her about my searching the web for 62HMX95 lamp problems, leads me to a large number of folks who are having to replace bulbs every 2 to 3 months. I know folks here who have had their rear projection DLP for quite some time and have yet to replace a bulb. When I talked to Steve Miles at HHGregg and the salesrep there, I was told I should need to replace bulbs about once every other year.
Dawn told me that if the TV is working now then they really can not troubleshoot the television. I told her it is functional now, but something is causing the television to blow bulbs way too often. She said it could possibly be some bad bulbs, but if I'm having this trouble, and others are having this trouble. Shouldn't Toshiba recall these products and fix the problem? When Toshiba claims a lamp should last so long, and it doesn't last a tenth of that time, would that not constitute a problem? If they can't make lamps to last as long as they claim, should they be in the business of selling this technology of television?
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