San Diego Housing Market News and Analysis

How long have you had your tv? Does he do warranty work?

Don't need a repair dude yet...But just in case.

I bought both of my bedroom tv's from costco, so I'm waiting for either of them to have gremlins. I'm told the Sony Bravias aren't what sony's use to be...And the other one is a vizio. And well, let's just say it's vizio. But then again, costco has a hassle free two year return if broken policy so.....Hopefully, at the end of two years, I'll have a new tv by then :)

Wow. Have we gotten to the point where TVs are 2 year disposable items?

And I was ticked a few years back when my huge Mitsubishi Diamond Series projection TV crapped out at 4 years. I had to practically give it away for a few bucks because the repair cost was so high.

Some people still prefer supporting American tradesmen rather than megacorps in enemy countries to the extreme east of the US.

Yes, considering you can get a "ok" 42" tv from costco around $500-600 (before any special coupons or rebates)

Costco $599 special

... and costco will warranty the TV (or any electronics for that matter) for 2 years (above the manufacturer warranty)....

Costco warranty terms

and considering that an american technician/labor probably costs a minimum of $100/hr... Purely from a dollar perspective if you are not an audio/videophile and can settle for "good enough"....TV's are a disposable item these days (environmental issues aside)...

This is exactly why Sony is having such a huge issue... Because once the holy grail of super quality TV's, most people don't give a crap anymore and will settle for "good enough"....Most people don't care the fine distinction between your top of the line Samsung/Sony/LG or your crapper Vizio... And notwithstanding, it probably gives people an excuse to upgrade after 2 years anyway. And manufacturers (including Sony) no longer manufacture with quality/long lasting in mind. Because they want people to constantly upgrade anyway.

Same thing can be said for Digital SLR cameras. That's why when you buy a digital SLR, spend good money on the lens, because those won't depreciate. But the camera body will take a hit every year from now on...unless you get the the real pro version.

Not sure that he does warranty work. He was employed by a company that did warranty work and that company when belly-up. That is why he is on his own but he is certified in most major brands because he used to work for this company. My set was manufactored in May of 08 and thus out of warranty.

I was shocked to see how little there is to a LCD TV but he immediately took out his DVM and started continuity testing multiple points. Then he pulled, what I would call, the motherboard out of the TV. At that point I am thinking "Shit" that looks like a $500 part and I'll bet he has to order it. But then he starts immediately testing points across the board. All of this take about 10 minutes. He looks up and says "It's the regulatory". He told me up front that there was a $50 diagnostic fee that would apply to repair. He then say's "I have the part in my truck part, labor, and credit for the Diag fee it will be 170 bucks". At this point I am sceptical but I say "do it". He comes back unsolders a chip pops the new one it and 10 minutes later the tv is broadcasting the olympics. 30 minutes flat in and out the door.

Super good attitude and very grateful to have the work.

And he is qualified in Sony. Didn't see Vizio but he probably knows his way around those sets as well.

Don't judge the man by his website. It sucks.

http://frankfixtv.com/

FrankFixTV Electronic Service

10524 Caminito Sulmona | San Diego, CA 92129

Call 858-683-7295

I am going to add one thing as well. Samsung had a run of bad capicators in thier sets. I own one of them but the problem was different despite having the exact same problems.

A class action lawsuit was fought and won regarding this.

Take a look if you own a Samsung.

http://www.samsung.com/us/capacitorsettl...

CE

Thanks for the info CE. Sounds like you got pretty lucky...

Monitor slickdeals and you can score a much better deal than a 42 inch 500 or 600 bucks.

There was a 47 3D LG for 499 two weeks ago. 55 inch 3d was 900 two weeks ago. Labor day is a great time to score a stellar deal.

I'm having a problem with one of my TV's. The problem is it is intermittent, so I don't have a whole lot of faith that it can be fixed permenently without the shotgun approach. It is probably a cold solder joint in the power supply somewhere. I will agree that modern day TV's are much easier to work on(no high voltage capacitors to worry about), they are more similar to computers really than CRT's. 3 different voltages and other than the initial 120V coming in, nothing over 24V. Let us know if you are still happy in 90 days, and I may look the guy up.

does it come with a 2 year warranty?

Good find. I love guys like this for any kind of construction, appliance, auto, - independent guys on their own who know what the hell they are doing.

Do you think he could work on a Mac receiver for me ?

42“ is the new entry level TV these days it seems.
I think the screens are all made in one factory anyway (kind of like Lap-Tops etc…_)
I actually got a 42” flat screen for $320.00 or $330.00 or very close to that a few months ago from Fry’s.
No-name brand but it looks better that the RCA 52” I had for 6 years that it replaced.
If they come out with a 70” below $800.00 I will consider upgrade.

The screens may be made in one factory. The support electronics and firmware are sourced from different places, so brand still matters.

nope.

Fact: the support electronics ARE different.

Data?

I never buy a warranty from big box stores. Get one from square trade for cheap.

My first 42 inch (the first 1080P 42 inch available in the world in 2006) has been rock solid for 6 years. I never bought a warranty on it.

Do your homework, check the ratings on the TV and AVS forums for common issues (if they exist) based upon the model. Unless you are moving a TV around, you shouldnt have issues. Run sample images/ sample test to test for dead pixels and other things. If its broke, you will know immediately and can return it. If you are comfortable with doing your research before buying, shouldnt need a warranty. If you want a warranty, hit up costco for the extra warranty padding they offer.

I would rather invest my warranty dollars on appliances. Learned my lesson on a samsung built in microwave that crapped out at 18 months new.

To **** with warranties -- I can buy most people's electronic sloppy seconds at a 60-75% discount on Craigslist. No point warranting if it's sufficiently cheap.

I'm guessing this flat screen TV is a plasma. Plasma TVs are notorious for power supply failures. Before LCDs came down so much in price, my brother was getting blown up plasmas for free or cheap on CL, fixing the power supply, and then reselling them for a $300-400. Many of the sets used the same power supply so he knew exactly what to replace. It was very easy money.

That said, our plasma is a 42" Magnavox. It probably 8-10 years old by now and has given us no problems at all.