[Resolved]  Panasonic Plasma T. V Viera (Th - 42pa60h) — Poor quality product/service

I bought a 42" Panasonic Viera plasma model TH-42PA60H in June 2007 for Rs76000/-. The warranty was for 1 year. Exactly a year and 2 weeks later the T.V stopped working. The T.V is mostly viewed during weekends and holidays only (and as such was not overly used). It is connected to power supply through a voltage stabilizer. Panasonic service centre told us the Display card had gone bad (no reasons given). The card was changed at a cost of Rs 10000/- and a time delay of 2 weeks. The T.V continued to be problematic (the picture would disappear suddenly) and finally stopped working completey after 1 month. This time we were told a D-card inside the T.V had gone bad. Cost of replacement - Rs7100/-. Time taken: another 2 weeks to repair. When the T.V was brought back, we insisted on replacing the original Display card, and the T.V still worked! Panasonic service then agreed to repay the difference.

8 months later on May 16th 2009, the T.V again stopped working (this time the problem was sound was there but no picture). 3 days later the T.V was taken to repair center. This time we were told both the D-card and a H-card had gone bad. Cost of repair: Rs17000/- !!! No explanation given as to why an expensive T.V would keep giving problems.

I have heard that this particular model of Panasonic plasma T.V has not been very successful and is problematic. A few faulty models that were sold were replaced by the company about a year back. This was done to prevent those customers from going to court over bad quality of T.V.

In my case, the T.V is still lying at the service centre. After a lot of dialogue/communication I was told by Panasonic Service head that the T.V would be repaired free of cost - free replacements of parts and no service charge. We agreed to this, but now Panasonic has retracted their words and are saying we have to pay the service charge of Rs1600/- Besides, there is no warranty given on parts replaced, no AMC, no explanation as to why the T.V parts are failing. One explanation offered by them is that since I am using the T.V on cable, I should expect such recurrent problems! At the time of purchase, the dealer had told me that there are no issues with using the T.V with cable. (I wonder how many T.Vs in India are not viewed with cable??!!).

I really feel cheated that an expensive T.V would not last even 13 months, and the quality of service provided is both poor and expensive. Besides, since the T.V quality is unpredictable, I am not sure that if I get the T.V repaired and get it home, it wouldn't stop working again and call for another expensive repair!

Since the time Panasonic changed its stand from free repair, to free part replacement only, they are not answering our emails/phone. My request to them to honour their word, and to ensure that the repaired T.V works for a reasonable period of time (years).