LG Consumer Electronics - LG Electronics USA Inc. LG Sold Defective Plasma TV Englewood Cliffs New Jersey

Bought a LG 50" Plasma TV (model number 50PX1D) in August of 2005 from retailer Audio Visions in Canton, OH. Audio Visions sales rep told me the TV was $6000. Told him I couldn't afford that. He then said he would "check something". He looked up something on his computer and the TV suddenly became $3500. I asked the sales rep how a $6000 TV suddenly became $3500. Asked him if it was a return or if something was wrong with it. He said no. He said that they are a large LG dealer and that the LG rep frequently "cuts them deals". Again, I heavily pressed the sales rep to determine if this was a returned TV or perhaps a refurbished TV, concerned that it was defective in some way. He said "no", that it was likely an "overstock".

I bought the TV and it sat in a box for about a year because of a home remodel. Installed it and noticed very slight shimmering in dark areas but was very minor and sporadic. Over the next 2 years it worsened to the point where it was very annoying. Scheduled a TV calibration. Calibration Technician would not perform the calibration when he saw the shimmering, saying that it was a manufacturing defect in the panel and that it was present from the beginning but likely not very noticeable. Because of the defect, calibration was not possible as the shimmering would interfere with the calibration process making it impossible and ineffective. Calibration Technician told me that it would worsen over time, which describes what has occured. Calibration Technician says he sees this alot with Samsung televisions.

Contacted Audio Visions and asked for their help. It took 6 months of going back and forth with them before they told me to call the LG 800 number and file a complaint. LG told me that because the warranty had expired, they would not correct the problem. I explained that the warranty should be irrelevant because I have a ISF certified calibration expert telling me that the panel was defective from the start and that the original defect is the root cause of the shimmering. LG still maintained that the warranty rules apply.

I believe Audio Visions collaborated with the LG Rep to sell me a knowingly defective TV. The original receipt from Audio Visions lists several items I purchased from them along with the TV - an entire home theater setup. In the column listing the manufcaturer's model number of each item purchased, the LG TV has a "-999" after it. It is the only item to which this designation is applied. Each of the other items lists only the manufacturer's model number.

Anonymous
Canton, Ohio
U.S.A.