[Resolved]  Panasonic TV Viera [Model Th42pv7 / Sl#ys8110004] — Poor Quality Product. Poor Service

Address:

Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh

I purchased my Panasonic Viera TV as a new year gift for my wife on 1st Jan 2009. I went to the only authorised shop in Noida as listed on Panasonic Website : M/s Rythm House in Sector-18 Noida. Have paid full amount with tax and have the bill of purchase too ! The service that I got from the shop and ASCs has been pathetic. Within 15days of purchase, my TV konked off and was made working only in Apr'09 after much pain.

I thought that atleast the TV is working now and I have peace of mind, but since Dec'09 till date, the condition of TV continues to worsen with coloured lines and a 1inch black band covering the left side of my TV screen. No service support - the ASCs do not have a clue on how to repair and I am almost sure to loose my full money since now they want to wash off their hands saying that it is out of warranty. I am sure that this is a manufacturing/ design latent defect and has nothing to do with warranty - if Panasonic really cared for their consumers, they would replace the TV by now.

Extract from my complaint to M/s Panasonic on 24th Feb 2009 (more than a year ago......I have kept copy of many correspondences, if Panasonic is interested):
"
I purchased the TV on 1st Jan '09 from M/s Rythm house (inv.7576) - less than 2 months ago !!!
1) Remote control defective from day of installation. Was asked to try another set of batteries. 1 week lost
following up with your ASC - M/s Shivay Electronics who disowned the works after trying to rectify at their
workshop. Another 6 weeks lost chasing next ASC to whom call is marked - M/s Alpha as well as personal
visits to Dealer (M/s Rhtym House, NOIDA).
> Complaint No. 4512
> Remote has been handed over to M/s Rythm House on 13th Feb'09 as per advise of dealer and ASC (M/s
Alpha). Have been told to wait for another 4-5 days!!!
2) TV stopped working on 21st Feb'09. Red light blinking on switching on. Complaint lodged on 22nd Feb'09
with promise of sending technician same day. Reminder made to Dealer and ASC (M/s Alpha) on 23rd Feb'09
and was promised of action by 24th Feb'09.
>> Complaint No. 1748
>> TV not working since 4 days now !!!
Please inform date of replacement of TV and remote URGENTLY.
I am getting really frustrated since the last 2 months.
"

Log of events till 4th July 2010:

1st Jan'09 Purchased TV from only Authorised seller in Noida (as per Panasonic website) with Bill and Tax paid
Jan'Feb'09 Problem in remote and TV - complaints lodged (as per mail extract above)
Mar'09 TV remote replaced under warranty by Rhythm House - new remote is not very effective , hence transferred its functions to Cable TV service Provider's (Aitel's) remote. Issue closed.
Apr'09 TV Power supply board replaced under warranty. TV had to be dropped and picked up from the ASC (Alpha) personally where complaint was got booked by Rhythm House. It took almost 6 weeks for TV to return as the Power supply boards had to be imported as per info. from Rythm house and Alpha
Dec'09-Feb'10 Vertical Coloured lines started to appear on left hand side of TV. Asked Airtel (cable connection provider) to check. Airtel Engr visited End Feb'10 to check the connection and informed problem is in TV
Mar'10 Asked Rhythm house send service Engr. Black colour vertical band appeared
Mid Mar'10 Met Rhythm house personally to remind after multiple calls
End Mar'10 Met Rhythm house personally to remind. Was informed that the TV is out of warranty and will be repaired on chargeable basis. Accepted same.
Mid Apr'10 Complaint lodged directly with Panasonic - no one turned up
End Apr'10 Service Engineer visited from Alpha Radio (sent courtsey Rhythm house) - he informed that TV cannot be repaired and cost of repair will be almost same as cost of new TV. Talked to his manager/ ower - same was reconfirmed
May-Jun Checked on Internet and taken advise from friends who informed that TV can be repaired and cost is not so high
4th July '10 Checked on internet and found Panasonic ASC as Bionic, Noida and compliant lodged - complaint no. 3020