Reputable Hitachi RPTV warranty service needed

[tampatom]

I'm coming to the end of the rope.

I bought my Hitachi 57S500 on July 27th, delivered on the 29th.

After watching it for a week I noticed a small couple of centimeter area on the screen, where it looked like pixels were missing, if you were talking LCD. After reading up on it, I realized that it's a bug or dirt on the lens, crt, or mirror. I also noticed that when I turned it on, I'd get white flashing horizontal lines, that went away after 5-10 minutes. A little research on the AVS Forum, and I realized it was a high voltage issue that is fixable by a good service technician. So I call the store where I purchased it. They told me they'd log a service call for me, and I should hear something within 24 hours. 3 days later, I call the store again, and ask why no one had called me back. They checked and said someone would call, right away. The next day, I finally receive the call. They scheduled a service call for the following Thursday. Monday, I get a call, and am told that they're overbooked on Thursday, that the service call would be the following Tuesday.

Tuesday rolls around, and the tech finally shows up. Takes a look at the TV, notices the spot, sees the white lines, writes stuff down in a book, and says someone will be contacting me shortly to schedule a time when they can come out and fix it. I mean what did I need this guy for?

The next day, I do get a call from the service organization. They want to come pick up my 57" TV, because they don't know what's wrong with it, and they have to test it and figure it out. By now, I'm going no way! I've paid almost $2000 for this TV to sit in a shop for who knows how long? I told them I would send them information on how Hitachi fixed the problem. They wanted to know how I knew that, and I told them the site, topic number, and all the information they would need. The guy says, Don't believe everything you read on the Internet"

I call the store. He acts dumbfounded. I told him he has 1 week to get it fixed or come pick it up, I'll do business with a reputable dealer. Needless to say, it's been over a week, and I haven't heard a word from anybody.

I like the TV, and based on the info, I have it's not a terribly hard fix.

Sorry for the rant, but does anybody know of a reputable Hitachi warranty repair person in the Wesley Chapel / Zephyrhills area?

Thanks.

[jaymer]

bummer
i just saw your other post where you were talking about getting all your D* stuff along with this... too bad it hasn't worked out.

warranty stuff it hit or miss... every now and then there is a post here about this type of issue... but I can't remember any specifics. you might do a search on WARRANTY and see what threads come up... maybe that will give you an idea of an alternate dealer to work with (or stay away from).

jaymer...

[tampatom]

Thanks, jaymer

I did a search, but didn't come up with any Hitachi warranty service. Hitachi has an 800 number I can call, but I'd hate for them to send out the same people.

Like I said in my other posts, I love the TV, love the D*, which is all working well. I'm sort of worried that if I did get them to send out another set, it may be worse than what I have.

If anything, I'll have them come out and clean off the dirt/bug what ever is on the screen, and maybe live with the lines. Like I say, it goes away after 5-10 minutes.

[Floyd]

I have a similar Hitachi 57" set, but slightly different model. I got the extended warranty, though I'm usually against them, since I figured it would take a large truck with a lift gate to get it somewhere for repair. I got mine at Circuit City. Is that who you are dealing with? Sounds like you have done a good job of self-diagnosing your problem. Simpleton suggestion: call the service company and have them send out someone qualified to fix it in your home. I think my warranty says if they can't fix it they will replace it. Taking it back to their shop to monkey around with it for who knows how long doesn't sound like what I was expecting with my set, but your warranty may differ.
Loaner?

[tampatom]

When we were looking at the Hitachi models, the new ones were just hitting the showrroom floors. The wife saw the new model, and said that if we were getting the Hitachi, she wanted the older model. She didn't like all the Silver. CC or Sears didn't have anymore 57S500 models available, so I went to Hitachi website and the other authorized dealer in the area was Rex. They had over 50 of theses sets in stock. I'm figuring they bought out the Hitachi warehouse on a closeout deal.

Anyway, that's where I bought the set. I didn't buy the extended warranty. The set was new in the box when they delivered it, and I do love the picture I'm getting right out of the box. It's just inept service people.

Like I say, my plan now is to use the Hitachi web site, or call the Hitachi 800 number for service instead of going through the dealer I bought it from. I'm sure they can recommend a reputable service group.

I think the other issue involved is that I'm in Wesley Chapel, and I purchased it in Hudson. About 25 miles away. I should have second thoughts when they said they would only deliver it on a Thursday, because that's the only time they delivered that far into Tampa. I got the same runaround with the service people, in that it would have to be a certain day, because they are located in Holiday, and they only come in to Tampa one day a week for service calls.

I'll request a service organization that's closer to where I live.