Feeling Wooooooozy (just spent bucks on TV)

[Chernabog]

YAYAY!!! Well I finally bought a TV:

Samsung HL-T5087S : It is a 50" rear projection DLP TV, 3 HDMI hookups and a LED-light emitter (which eliminates the need to replace the bulb every 1-2 years for $199, as you have to do on regular DLP televisions). Oh and there's no slight rainbow effect as there is from regular DLP. 1080p and all that jazz.

But woah.... I am feeling that wierd woozy feeling that you get when you spent a buttload of dough.

I do feel like I got a deal tho at Circuit City - it was on sale to begin with, AND I got an extra hundred bucks off with a coupon. Free delivery, etc. etc. AND no interest for 18 months.

The set was cheaper on Amazon, but even with free shipping and no interest I would rather not pop it onto my main credit card since I want to pay that down. (I don't just have the cash laying around, so I had to finance part of it) Plus I have read a few Amazon horror stories about people having extreme difficulty returning it if something is wrong, or with their delivery service, etc. etc. There's a circuit city around the corner from my apartment.

So woohoo! 50" set, pretty. I was gonna get a 56" set for an extra $350 or so, but a) that seems TOO big for the room and b) I'd rather spend $350 on a better surround sound receiver and speakers than on an extra six inches. (hee hee dirty)

So we will have to have more movie nights and whatnot, and once I get the $30 component cable for the Wii, it will be so beautiful, as long as we don't break the glass coffee table.

So whatcha guys think? Wise purchase? Any hints on how to subdue the major purchase woozies? And who is bringing the pretzels??:snap: :snap:

[Ghoulish Delight]

We love our Samsung. It's LCD, not DLP, but everything I've seen has shown Samsung to be putting out superior TV products right now. So it sounds like a good purchase to me.

Any hints on how to subdue the major purchase woozies?Most doctors prescribe plenty of couch rest and visual stimulation.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Most doctors prescribe plenty of couch rest and visual stimulation.Seriously, I was woozy for a couple of weeks after we plopped down the money for ours. The cure - watching the TV. It's worth every penny. At this point I am amazed that we waited so long, and would never back the purchase, expensive though it was.

[innerSpaceman]

Breathe, breathe. Picture yourself lying peacefully at the base of a ring of Giant Sequoias.


Then watch some TV.



When't the first movie night???!

[Babette]

Don't you love no interest for 18 months!? It is like you get to save up for the TV, but have it while you are saving. Congrats! I hope I get to come to movie night, too!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Congrats on the new toy! :)

[blueerica]

Yes, when is movie night?

[Kevy Baby]

So whatcha guys think? Wise purchase? Well duh: of COURSE it was a wise purchase. It is a scientifically proven fact that purchasing a large screen high definition TV increases your penis size!

Any hints on how to subdue the major purchase woozies?Assuming you also secured hi-def programming, find "Planet Earth" on Discovery HD. It is HD porn.

[Scrooge McSam]

Well... well... If I have to go buy a new HD setup that I totally don't need but want desperately, I'm blaming it all on you guys.

I will.

[Scrooge McSam]

Well duh: of COURSE it was a wise purchase. It is a scientifically proven fact that purchasing a large screen high definition TV increases your penis size!

Length or... (wait for it) girth?

[Kevy Baby]

Well... well... If I have to go buy a new HD setup that I totally don't need but want desperately, I'm blaming it all on you guys.

I will.No, you NEED it!!!

[Chernabog]

Thanks for the encouragement!!! The last TV I bought was my 20 incher... in 1995, ROFL.

Anyhoo, I'll let y'all know when it is all set up for some loverly TV watching. And I am getting Mr. Cheese to figure out how much more expensive it is to get the HD cable from Time Warner than whatever we're getting right now (our landlord doesnt allow satellite TV, or a roof antenna). I know you can get HD thru bunny ears but.... that's just SO low tech. ;)

So in a few months maybe I'll have enough to get the rear speakers, but in the meantime, the Wii should be extra fun in widescreen. I'm totally re-playing Zelda.

Wierd thing tho that I should have looked out for -- apparently Circuit City (which I thought had OK customer service) has really terrible customer service, according to some online reviews. anyone here ever have an issue with them?

Also I did not buy the extended warranty option, since I've always been of the ilk that if something is catastrophically wrong with a new piece of electronics, it'll break in the first month anyway. Is getting the extended warranty a huge waste of money like I think it sounds like? (it does NOT protect against things like spills or throwing the Wiimote against the TV)

[katiesue]

I've always had very good customer service at Circuit City with the various things I've bought over the years. They've even been kind enought to retrieve the odd stuck CD out of my car stereo for free more than once.

[Kevy Baby]

Wierd thing tho that I should have looked out for -- apparently Circuit City (which I thought had OK customer service) has really terrible customer service, according to some online reviews. anyone here ever have an issue with them? Not an issue specific to CC (this applies to just about all of the stores that sell HD TV's: Do NOT purchase your cables from them, especially HDMI cables. We had this discussion previously starting here (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=126701#post126701) in one thread.

FWIW, another thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=5812) on HDTV discussions.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I think it's ~$10/month at Time Warner to get an HD receiver over the cost of digital.

[Chernabog]

FWIW, another thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=5812) on HDTV discussions.

OK I am reading that thread and now I feel all cold and scared inside. What expensive confusifying horror have I gotten myself into? Component Cable this, s-video that, cable card this, TiVo that, HD-TV-cable-aux Gwaaahhhhh!!! Blah blah Ginger indeed.

All I want is:

To watch HD programming sometimes (TW DVR is the only way to go, methinks, with my current setup).

To play video games in wide screen.

To watch DVD (and later, Blu-Ray perhaps) on a big screen.

I'm not sure how this will all work out considering our current set up is horrifically over-complicated (with 2 DVD players, a TiVo, a VHS player, an amplifier, two speakers, some bizarre sound-board which I have no idea of its functionality, and lots of plugs hooked into another box with a switch, which turns the DVD on occassionally). I cannot for the life of me figure out what Cheddar Boy has done to that... I consider myself relatively intelligent (and I'm able to figure out a computer pretty well) but I cannot for the life of me ever figure out how to turn that system on when I want to. *sigh*

TV comes on Saturday...... oy vey.

[mousepod]

Take a deep breath. Relax.

Before you start buying lots of expensive components, consider a Harmony remote from Logitech. They're easily the best remotes out there (you type in your components and setup online and then program it via USB).

Once the TV actually arrives and you've started to enjoy it, I'll jump in with more crazy suggestions.

[figment1986]

ah, the rise of technology, love how the extended warentee doesnt cover remotes or wiimotes.. lol does it cover cell phones that get thrown by accident ;)

Mother and father wont get HD till its time... so im stuck in a RTV degree with standard depth tv, and my last internship made some HD programming and couldnt even see it. lol

Good luck figuring out the remote and everything with the new tv, the newer the tv the more buttons on the remote, which do the same thing as older universal remotes did. sounds like a great purchase...

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yeah, take it one component at a time. We were without the proper cables for the DVD player for a week or so and we survived. :)

I forgot you have a Wii! :D It's soooo much better on a big ass TV.

[Chernabog]

Heh now I'm looking into the whole "home theatre in a box" suggestion (since the component stuff seems... WAY too out of my price range) Yamaha YHT F1500 seems like a pretty cool system... here (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-F1500-730-Watt-6-1-Channel-Theater/dp/B0001XAJ7A/ref=sr_1_1/103-8455742-3919819?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1183512936&sr=8-1)

I'm gonna have to see what it is exactly we have at home already...

[Kevy Baby]

OK I am reading that thread and now I feel all cold and scared inside. What expensive confusifying horror have I gotten myself into? Component Cable this, s-video that, cable card this, TiVo that, HD-TV-cable-aux Gwaaahhhhh!!! Blah blah Ginger indeed.Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you. :(

Like others said, just take it one component at a time. I am pretty technically savvy and completely revamped my initial setup once everything was in. And I will probably make more adjustments as time goes on. Bottom line is that you don't have to get it right the first time.

All I want is:

To watch HD programming sometimes (TW DVR is the only way to go, methinks, with my current setup).I have been mostly happy with TW DVR, except I wish the recording capacity was higher. It is not nearly as good (from a user standpoint) as TiVo, but it gets the job done.

And you will need an HDMI cable running from the TW DVR to the TV which is why I mentioned it.

And as for the rest, just take it one step at a time. You can always call me in the panic moments if you want.

[Kevy Baby]

Heh now I'm looking into the whole "home theatre in a box" suggestion (since the component stuff seems... WAY too out of my price range) Yamaha YHT F1500 seems like a pretty cool system... here (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-F1500-730-Watt-6-1-Channel-Theater/dp/B0001XAJ7A/ref=sr_1_1/103-8455742-3919819?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1183512936&sr=8-1)

I'm gonna have to see what it is exactly we have at home already...For now, I would stay away from that. Or at least, just get something that does just audio - the extra $ you are paying for the DVD player is wasted at this point. But even then, I would just focus on the display and handle sound later.

[Chernabog]

For now, I would stay away from that. Or at least, just get something that does just audio - the extra $ you are paying for the DVD player is wasted at this point. But even then, I would just focus on the display and handle sound later.

But doesn't it seem silly to have this giant TV and a mere 2-channel stereo system (or just the audio from the TV itself) ? I have to ask Senor Parmesan if the current setup handles surround and we just don't have rear speakers, or what... I shall find out more once I return to yon apartment.

If the audio is mediocre for a while till I can afford more components, that's fine, but 2 channel is so 1970s ;)

[Kevy Baby]

But doesn't it seem silly to have this giant TV and a mere 2-channel stereo system (or just the audio from the TV itself) ? I have to ask Senor Parmesan if the current setup handles surround and we just don't have rear speakers, or what... I shall find out more once I return to yon apartment.

If the audio is mediocre for a while till I can afford more components, that's fine, but 2 channel is so 1970s ;)Agreed - especially since I am an audio freak. But the amplifier may just be a two-channel (non home theater) unit. But I would wait until you get the TV in first. Trust me when I say that you will be entertained by the big shiny picture for a while, even with only the built-in speakers.

If the cheese man's amp is not a home theater unit (at least 5.1), then a whole sound system is warranted (just not the system previously linked to with the DVD player).

If the amp IS a (decent) home theater system but with only two speakers, I would focus first on getting a decent CENTER channel and then a good sub. While having all channels is important, I would put the center channel as a higher priority than the rears. The center channel is where all of the dialog comes from. The subs provide a lot of impact for action scenes (though one must be careful with subs in an apartment or condo environment - especially if you have downstairs neighbors). The rears are just ear candy.

One thing to keep in mind is to try to keep the same brand of speakers across the front. Otherwise, imaging starts getting funky.

[CoasterMatt]

My services for TV setup are available at nominal cost :)

[Disneykat]

I think you made a wise purchase......enjoy your TV hon......don't stress.

[Moonliner]

(our landlord doesnt allow satellite TV, or a roof antenna). I know you can get HD thru bunny ears but.... that's just SO low tech. ;)


FYI, the FCC says (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html)a landlord cannot prevent you from putting up a dish and/or antenna.

[Gn2Dlnd]

FYI, the FCC says (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html)a landlord cannot prevent you from putting up a dish and/or antenna.


Unfortunately:
Q: If I live in a condominium or an apartment building, does this rule apply to me?

A: The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. "Exclusive use" means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas. The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof, the hallways, the walkways or the exterior walls of a condominium or apartment building. Restrictions on antennas installed in these common areas are not covered by the Commission's rule. For example, the rule would not apply to restrictions that prevent drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit and thus restrictions may prohibit installation that requires such drilling.

Q: Does the rule apply to condominiums or apartment buildings if the antenna is installed so that it hangs over or protrudes beyond the balcony railing or patio wall?

A: No. The rule does not prohibit restrictions on antennas installed beyond the balcony or patio of a condominium or apartment unit if such installation is in, on, or over a common area. An antenna that extends out beyond the balcony or patio is usually considered to be in a common area that is not within the scope of the rule. Therefore, the rule does not apply to a condominium or rental apartment unit unless the antenna is installed wholly within the exclusive use area, such as the balcony or patio.


Sad face.

On a side note, the tangle of wires and vcrs only exists because the current TV is old enough to only have a coax input. In the 80's I became very good at figuring out how to plug things into other things that weren't necessarily designed to have things plugged into them. Sound is not 5.1. In a wood floor apartment I have some trepidation about the "home theatre sound" infringing on my neighbors.

I suppose the mixing board can probably be retired as I don't have much of a vinyl collection anymore. Or turntables.

Again with the sad face.

Matt and Kevy are invited to come over and play "Techie for Cheez" if they're so inclined.

[Kevy Baby]

Matt and Kevy are invited to come over and play "Techie for Cheez" if they're so inclined.I think CM is a wee bit closer - especially if he comes either before or after work. If he is not available, I would be happy to assist - I like the pay :)

[Gn2Dlnd]

:)

We'll see if either Joe or I are in tears by Saturday afternoon, then we'll call in the professionals.

[Morrigoon]

It can't be that hard.

[Gn2Dlnd]

It's not.


(lob) to Kevy

[Chernabog]

(lob) to Kevy

(intercepts, and digs out his porn collection)

Wow now everything will be life sized! :evil:

[Kevy Baby]

Oh jeez... get a room you two.

[Not Afraid]

Or a fire pit. ;)

[Chernabog]

Or a fire pit. ;)

We gotta watch Totoro again in big-arse widescreen.

[CoasterMatt]

I get out of work at 3:40 on Friday, and I'm totally available Saturday.

[Moonliner]

Funny now I feel Wooooozy too!

Following your excellent example, I pulled the trigger today on my own HD upgrade. I went with the Toshiba REGZA 46" LCD TV (46LX177 (http://www.buy.com/prod/tosh-46-lcd-cinema-1080p/q/loc/111/204556249.html)) and a Samsung BD-P1200 (http://www.buy.com/prod/samsung-bd-p1200-blu-ray-dvd-player/q/loc/111/204110373.html)- Blu-ray DVD Player.

Now I just need to go out and grab a copy of "Curse Of The Black Pearl" on Blu Ray.

Oh and I'm also waiting for this little goodie (http://www.avia2.com/)which should be released on Blu Ray any day now...

[Not Afraid]

I'm going to resurface my bathtub instead of buy a TV.

[Moonliner]

I'm going to resurface my bathtub instead of buy a TV.

Who let her in here?

[Gn2Dlnd]

Well, Chernamate has been sucked into the 50 inch video game vortex, I had a great time last night trying out every wide-screen dvd I have. So far, Blade Runner and the Finding Nemo aquarium are my favorites. I'm looking at my movie collection now, and am looking forward to start rewatching stuff that was just too small to enjoy on my reg'lar teevee.

Biggievision rulez!

[Chernabog]

Heh yeah just a word to all of you LoTters out there - never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever buy anything from Circuit City. EVER!

[Moonliner]

I'm sensing a disturbance in the force. It's as if millions of voices suddenly cried out or it could be just one really PO'ed CC customer.

So what's the problem?

[Ghoulish Delight]

*Puts "Buy something from Circuit City" on calendar after 407 "evers" pass*


So what's the problem?
Yes, do tell.

[Chernabog]

Well I have to leave work in a sec, but in a nutshell:

TV is delivered on Saturday. We get the entertainment center components all unplugged for receipt of TV. Delivery people come take it out of the box, set it on its stand, plug it in, plug in a video source, and voila! TV works.

As delivery people are pulling away, Cheese Man puts the TV on widescreen mode. What's that dirt in the upper corner?, Cherny asks. Oh wait, that's not dirt on the screen, that's something being projected onto the screen, perhaps the projector has dust on it? It doesn't move or come off or anything, but it's definitely being projected.

I make a call to circuit city. That's when the real fun begins. Here's the condensed version:

(15 mins on hold)CC: Hello, how can we help you?

Chern: Ummm the TV you delivered 5 minutes ago isn't working correctly, it has dust in the projector or something that's causing black spots.

CC: Oh you need to speak to the service department. Please hold.

(15 minutes on hold)

CC: Hello, service dept.

Chern: Ummm the TV you delivered 5 minutes ago isn't working correctly, it has dust in the projector or something that's causing black spots.

CC: Did you purchase an Advantage Protection Plan?

Chern: No.

CC: Well then we will need to charge you to fix your TV.

Chern: (screams at the woman, then gets placed on hold again, and screams in frustration).

(all of that above took approx 45 minutes on the phone)

Jim then calls back and has an approximate 45 minute phone call through two other people. In his conversation (in which I was so upset I couldn't talk to them at this point) they were unable to get someone to get a new TV that day, even though we had set aside that day for the TV delivery.

We'd need to have a new TV come on a different day, which means another day of waiting around for delivery people. However, the guy cannot for some reason schedule another day to do all of this, so he says to call back Monday. We say we'd rather not wait around for all this phone time, so we gave them our cell numbers for the 4th time and they said theyd call back Monday. We tell them to make a note in the account, etc. etc.

Monday. They never called, so I had to call them anyway.

(15 mins on hold)CC: Hello how can we help you?

Chern: I need to exchange my defective TV for a non-defective TV.

CC: Well we need to schedule a pick up. And then after we do a pick up, it has to be returned to Circuit City. And then after we get it, we'll ship you a new TV.

Chern: What? I'm going to be inconvenienced on THREE days total waiting for delivery now? Why can't you just send a new TV and pick up the old TV at the same time?

CC: It is not within my power to do that. That is not our policy. In any case, it isn't my department to deal with pickups, you'll have to talk to the delivery department.

Chern (getting pissed): Um, ok bitchf^ck, you do that. (ok I didnt say that but I wanted to).

(15 mins on hold)(disconnects, and I have to call back, through 2 more people, 15 minutes each time, until):

Mind you, each and every time I called one of these persons, EACH PERSON had to ask me AGAIN to verify: My name, my account #, my billing address, the model # of the television, the shipping address, and to describe the problem with the TV. They have NO RECORD of any of the prior calls at any time.

CC: Hello, how can we help you?

Chern: (back at square one) I need to exchange my defective TV for a non-defective TV.

CC: Well we'll have to schedule a pickup. Then once we receive it, you'll have to call the warehouse, and the warehouse will send you a new one. You need to call them at 9am EASTERN STANDARD TIME.

Chern: Huh? You're like the 6th person we've talked to in all of this, why can't you deliver a TV on the same day as the pickup?

CC: I need to talk to the warehouse. (on hold for 15 minutes)

CC: Sorry for the delay. The warehouse is closed. You'll have to call them back tomorrow.

Chern: Can I have the name and number of a manager at the warehouse?

CC: (gives it)

Chern: Thanks.

(Total time on phone Monday: 75 minutes)


SO BASICALLY... I'm back at square one, after hours on the phone, having to call a warehouse, so that I can clear a day to schedule a TV pickup, so that I can clear a day to schedule ANOTHER TV drop off.

This is $hitty customer service. I want to radiate their gonads in the microwave.

Oh, and before you ask, I called a Circuit City store to see if we could just bring it and exchange it ourselves.

They tell me the model # I purchased is not available at ANY STORE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and can only be ordered to this area from the warehouse/website.

Fruck you, Circuit City.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yeech. That's some BS right there.

[wendybeth]

Heh yeah just a word to all of you LoTters out there - never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever buy anything from Circuit City. EVER!

Even without reading the follow-up post, I knew exactly what it would be about. We went through a very similar event with them years ago, and it was the most frustrating experience ever.

No wonder they're doing so poorly- they deserve to fail.

[mousepod]

Chernie, I know how frustrating these kind of situations can be (just ask Heather - she has to live with me when crap customer service sets me off). My advice: don't let up, not even for a minute. Circuit City has the means and the ability to correct the problem. Make sure they do.

I haven't shopped Circuit City since the Divx fiasco (but I've since forgiven Disney - shows what a swell guy I can be).

[Kevy Baby]

Well I have to leave work in a sec, but in a nutshell:Oops... too late

Fruck you, Circuit City.Other than that; how was your day?

[innerSpaceman]

I assume you paid by credit card.


Drop the TV off at your nearest Circuit City. Rent a truck, if you have to. Take pictures of you delivering it there, if they won't give you a receipt or otherwise mark it as received by them.

Call your credit card company, tell them you've returned the item and will be disputing the charge, if Circuit City does not reverse it. They'll tell you you have to wait for the monthly statement where the charge appears. Do that. Dispute the charge in writing. Your credit card company will remove the charge (and bill Circuit City a nice fee for doing so).


Start Over - with a reputable electronics company.

[mousepod]

Start Over - with a reputable electronics company.

If you take iSm's advice, I will give a big recommendation for onecall. (http://www.onecall.com/)

I've used them for much of my gadgetry over the years, including two big-screen TVs. They're knowledgeable, they'll pricematch, the shipping is reasonable.

I think the parent store, Huppin's, is in wendybeth's neck of the woods.

[wendybeth]

They are, MP. I agree with iSm- but I also think you should document all the way and send it to corporate. Let them know how their stores operate- might not accomplish anything, or it might result in a few heads rolling.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Though we haven't had to rely on their customer service as everything's been fine with our TV, www.buydig.com worked out great for us.

[Kevy Baby]

And if you prefer a local brick and mortar store, we were very happy with Ken Cranes (http://www.kencrane.com/). We purchased late Saturday night (the paperwork was completed after they had closed at 9:00) and they delivered the next day.

[Chernabog]

Update to the saga (as I am now on hold with Circuit City, again).

I call the Warehouse in California (finally, non-Indians!!!). Talk to 2 people there. Unlike what the delivery department said, they are NOT authorized to do the exchange since they're a third party warehouse. They can pull up my information, but they cannot do the exchange. They say to call a store manager, even though I purchased it online, that the store can help me. Or I can call 1-800-THE-CITY ... which is the number to Indian Customer Service.
The lady at the warehouse is totally sympathetic (because she is not a Circuit City employee). Incidentally, she said that Indian Customer Service has no idea what it is doing, and they COULD HAVE CALLED THE WAREHOUSE to tell them to turn around and pick up the defective TV.... but they didn't. So we were lied to from day 1.

I call a local store. They cannot authorize the warehouse to do an exchange since I purchased it online. I need to call... INDIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Which is where I was on day 1, five minutes after the TV was delivered.

I call Indian Customer Service. they say I need to talk to the delivery department -- the place where I've talked to literally 5 different people. Obviously I am going in circles here. Nobody can do an exchange. Nobody can authorize the warehouse to do this. I hate talking to people in India.

I'm at a point here (still on hold) where if this lady cannot tell me "we will do an exchange on such-and-such date" that I will buy a TV from OneCall, and when that TV comes, take the old TV and drop it off at the closest Circuit City.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'd be tempted to reverse the credit card charge and if CC wants it back, they can come by and get it themdamnselves.

[Moonliner]

Check out:

Link 1 (http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/110130.html)

Link 2 (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/archive/index.php/t-192184.html)

Link 3 (http://erms.samsungusa.com/customer/sea/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?PG_ID=3&AT_ID=17146&PROD_SUB_ID=41&PROD_ID=153)

I hope one of those helps.

[Chernabog]

If you take iSm's advice, I will give a big recommendation for onecall. (http://www.onecall.com/)



Have you ever had a problem with them that they resolved?

I'm just wondering what would happen if I had this same problem with OneCall, i.e. something is wrong with the TV?

Update: Circuit City may actually do what I want here. After another 42 minute phone call (and counting). I'm still on hold for about the 4th time.

So that's a total of approximately 5 hours of yelling at people, being on hold, etc. etc. etc. and OVER THIRTEEN PEOPLE I've spoken with to get to this point. So I've been gangraped by Circuit City.... but perhaps they'll give me a reacharound in the end.... /sigh

[innerSpaceman]

Just a proviso ... you cannot have your credit company reverse the charge while you are still in possession of the TV. (that would be, ya know, fraud.)

[Chernabog]

Yes folks, the saga gets even better.

Now I am on hold (53 minute call!) with the customer service "escalation" department -- the person whom I was last talking to, I got as far as giving her dates for the exchange (yay!)

Then she says that the person that she was talking to in the delivery department is no longer picking up, and she would have to transfer me to the "escalation" part of customer service. So after another hold, I had to explain THE ENTIRE PROBLEM AGAIN with a person in the "escalation" department, and now I am on hold again.

$hit! I was so close! /cry /cry /cry

[Chernabog]

I'm back to the delivery department at square one. I'm so HUNGRY. I want to eat lunch.

They're telling me to call the warehouse. Again. My head is getting woozy. I am so hungry. I told them MY policy was to return the television entirely since they cannot help me.

I have now been on this particular phone call for 1 hour and 13 minutes, and have been through 5 different individuals who have to make calls to different people, etc. etc. etc.

My eyes hurt. My stomach hurts. I'm going from outright exhaustion to wanting to cry, to being angry as all heck.

Oh and to add insult to injury -- the price on circuitcity.com is now $190 LESS than what I paid for it. So even if I get this TV exchange thing working, I need to call back again to have them do a price match.

[Moonliner]

take two

I did a bit of Googling for terms like DLP, fuzz, smudge. samsung, etc...

I found a number of references to problems that sound similar to yours. Solutions ranged from just pushing a bit on the screen (gently of course) to anti-static swipes and screen replacements.

The links give all the details...

Link 1 (http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/2/110130.html)

Link 2 (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/archive/index.php/t-192184.html)

Link 3 (http://erms.samsungusa.com/customer/sea/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?PG_ID=3&AT_ID=17146&PROD_SUB_ID=41&PROD_ID=153)

I hope one of those helps.

[Chernabog]

^^ Thanks thanks - I did check out those links but I think it is referencing a different problem with TVs manufactured before Feb 2005, and this set is newer than that (I think).

1 hour 24 minutes on this particular phone call. Still waiting. :(

[Moonliner]

^^ Thanks thanks - I did check out those links but I think it is referencing a different problem with TVs manufactured before Feb 2005, and this set is newer than that (I think).

1 hour 24 minutes on this particular phone call. Still waiting. :(

It also seems to be an issue with your set (http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10982945&&#post10982945).

Link 4 (http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=827799&page=1&pp=30)

[mousepod]

Since onecall.com is a real brick and mortar store (Huppin's), they have a very clear return/exchange policy. The warehouse, sales dept, and customer service are all American. Many years ago, I had to send back a receiver for an upgrade. It was painless. Give them a call and talk to a person - they know their stuff.

[Chernabog]

It also seems to be an issue with your set (http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10982945&&#post10982945).

Link 4 (http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=827799&page=1&pp=30)

Hmmm well if it falls under the category of "smudges" then I'd need a Samsung tech to come look at it.

However, Circuit City should not give me a screwed TV right out of the box that needs repairs, lol.

Nearly 2 hours on the phone (not including the prior phone calls to the warehouse and a store this a.m.) , and finally FINALLY they are going to do an exchange on Thursday.

I'm almost wishing I just returned the set (by driving it to a circuitcity) and ordered it from onecall.com. Really, I should have asked you guys on here before going with the best online price...

NOW, if they cannot price match their own prices, I will in fact do so.

I finally ate lunch.

[Chernabog]

HAHAH one final update (I hope this is the relative end of the saga): They could not price match it over the phone. I am not kidding you.

"For your convenience," the Indian Lady says, "you can take it to a circuit city store and THEY will immediately do it for you. If I do it, it will take 7-10 business days and it may be denied."

Ummm ok. I told her for my convenience she could do it over the phone, but this was another 20 minute call and I just couldn't bear to do this anymore.

There's a circuit city on my way home. I called it to verify that they could refund the difference to my credit card in store.

If you read anything in the news tonight about a "Rampage at SoCal Circuit City!" then say a prayer for me, m'kay? ;)

Never ever shop there. I f'cking mean it.

[Kevy Baby]

Please, please, please make sure you report this to Circuit City persons of interest!

[Chernabog]

Please, please, please make sure you report this to Circuit City persons of interest!

You really think they give a flying hoo-haw? It just seems like SUCH a waste of yet another hour writing that letter.

[Kevy Baby]

You really think they give a flying hoo-haw? It just seems like SUCH a waste of yet another hour writing that letter.I think you can just copy your posts from this thread and send that. The accuracy of the real-time updates is quite telling.

[CoasterMatt]

Dude... I had a 3 year WAR with CC that finally ended early this year.

I wouldn't wish that company on Dick Cheney - unless they started selling pacemakers or something...

[Chernabog]

Dude... I had a 3 year WAR with CC that finally ended early this year.


God, if only I had known I would never have gone with them.

As it stands, I finally got what I wanted (at least it's SET UP to get what I wanted, but still am not kidding myself that it won't go off without a hitch) - at the cost of 5+ hours on the phone to Circuit City Indians, stress and aggravation, 2 days of waiting around (well one day, thanks Cheese Man for day 2), plus two trips to a store, which is really bizarre considering I ordered everything over the Internet and all of the products are coming via delivery.

(Incidentally, the Circuit City manager said that their human resources is in India (!!!) and that they have the same problems as employees with trying to get anything done).

What happened with you Matt Matt?

I just need to pray that the new TV works correctly. I guess I just figured I had spent SO much time I just couldn't hang up during that last call till I got what I wanted. (I did threaten to return the TV 3 times, and THATS when they finally told me that they could do an exchange on the same day).

If the new one doesn't work, it is immediately going back for a complete refund and I will just order another one thru a reputable seller.

[Snowflake]

Holy Cathode Ray Tube, Batman!

This is so seriously wrong and I applaud your patience and they should pay you for all your time and trouble.

Seriously, when did it become good customer service to route all service calls through a call center in India? If it does not fit in their script, it's impossible to get even the most simple assistance.

Cobble together all your reports to LoT, print them out and send them to all the officers of Circuit City and tell them this is extactly why their failing and you've alerted everyone you come into contact with to never darken their door.

[CrazyLegs]

http://www.onecall.com/ImageCache/samsung_HLT5087S_300x250_s.jpg

nice tv Cherny :)

[CrazyLegs]

God, if only I had known I would never have gone with them.

As it stands, I finally got what I wanted (at least it's SET UP to get what I wanted, but still am not kidding myself that it won't go off without a hitch) - at the cost of 5+ hours on the phone to Circuit City Indians, stress and aggravation, 2 days of waiting around (well one day, thanks Cheese Man for day 2), plus two trips to a store, which is really bizarre considering I ordered everything over the Internet and all of the products are coming via delivery.

(Incidentally, the Circuit City manager said that their human resources is in India (!!!) and that they have the same problems as employees with trying to get anything done).

What happened with you Matt Matt?

I just need to pray that the new TV works correctly. I guess I just figured I had spent SO much time I just couldn't hang up during that last call till I got what I wanted. (I did threaten to return the TV 3 times, and THATS when they finally told me that they could do an exchange on the same day).

If the new one doesn't work, it is immediately going back for a complete refund and I will just order another one thru a reputable seller.


I would return it get something I get them at cost :) so if you need help let me know.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So what was the outcome?