Dead Pixel Policy----Best Buy

[pup81]

I just got off the phone with a supervisor at Best Buy, and she said they're dead pixel policy for their service plan is 10% of the pixels must be dead before replacement is considered. Does this sound a little ridiculous?

Does anyone know of a store that has a better dead pixel policy?

Thanks for any help.

 

[0roo0roo]

you bought their stupid warrantee? or is it new. i consider dead pixels a defect manufacturers should really disclose and sort out, i'd return it and say i just didn't like it. they should test for dead pixels and sell those units marked as cheaper. otherwise is a tad deceptive.

 

[fredtam]

Yes. It would seem that having 130,000 dead pixals on a 19" monitor to be eligable for a replacement is a bit odd.
They usually go by the mans. dead pixel policy. But I returned a monitor (not for dead pixels) and they let me exchange it no questions asked.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
you bought their stupid warrantee? or is it new. i consider dead pixels a defect manufacturers should really disclose and sort out, i'd return it and say i just didn't like it. they should test for dead pixels and sell those units marked as cheaper. otherwise is a tad deceptive.

Then people would not want it because the box is open.

According to the manufaturers a minimal number of dead pixels does not qualify as defective so why would Best Buy discount a monitor that is not defective if they are not recieving an equivelent discount from the manufacturer.

I have 1 dead pixel on my 191T (a stuck blue one) and don't even notice it except at startup when the screen is completely black. I think people should realize dead pixels are out there and if you are scared your going to get one take the proper steps. Most retail stores will hook the monitor up and allow you to inspect it. As for online stores if your that scared of dead pixels go to Best Buy and pay more.

Dead pixels are a reality and I agree with dead pixel policies because I liked paying $611 instead of not being able to afford one because every LCD produced had to be perfect. There are 1.3 million pixels on my screen and after a reality check I think its phucking amazing there is only one.

Get a grip people.

 

[pup81]

In order to clarify, I stated in the original post that I was talking about their EXTENDED service plan. And no, I haven't purchased a monitor from them, yet.....I was just trying to see what their policy was before I bought. Their service plans are for three years, I believe.

Unlike some people who have more money than me, I would think that $600 should be able to buy a defect-free LCD monitor. I am not in the habit of buying broken gear. I actually had an LCD before that had one stuck (always lit) pixel right in the center of the display. That is just not acceptable.

If people are paying extra money for a 3-year service plan, I just think it should protect their investment.....not give Best Buy more money to play with. I mean, has anyone even heard of an LCD monitor with 10% of its pixels dead or even stuck?

Anyways, thanks for the replies.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: pup81
In order to clarify, I stated in the original post that I was talking about their EXTENDED service plan. And no, I haven't purchased a monitor from them, yet.....I was just trying to see what their policy was before I bought. Their service plans are for three years, I believe.

Unlike some people who have more money than me, I would think that $600 should be able to buy a defect-free LCD monitor. I am not in the habit of buying broken gear. I actually had an LCD before that had one stuck (always lit) pixel right in the center of the display. That is just not acceptable.

If people are paying extra money for a 3-year service plan, I just think it should protect their investment.....not give Best Buy more money to play with. I mean, has anyone even heard of an LCD monitor with 10% of its pixels dead or even stuck?

Anyways, thanks for the replies.

If the lcd has a defect, you will see it right off the bat. Buy it from Circuit City where you can return it for any reason without a restocking fee. If there is 1 dead pixel you can return it, if you want a different color you can return it....anything. And, if your thinking about the extended service plan, i know dead pixels are covered at CC, but i dont know how many.

But if its a defect, you will see right away...

 

[Lyfer]

cough*CRT*cough

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
cough*CRT*cough

just depends what you get. My 17" viewsonic lcd is perfect, 0 dead pixels shipped to me via ups from dell. Movies & games look awsome and it doesnt stick 2 feet off the back of my desk...

 

[OverVolt]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
cough*CRT*cough

I'mma die hard CRT'er too!

But my dad insisted on going LCD, one had a broken backlight that woudl flicker the whle screen diff shades of yellow, and the next one he bought had a cluster of 3BRIGHT RED pixels in the middle long with a few blue/gray dead pixels in the middle too. And Viewsonic wants no part of it. It's ridiculas.

 

[spaceman]

create more dead pixels and return, 10% of the screen is absurd.

 

[pup81]

Well, the reason I would want to get an extended service plan would be to make sure that the monitor is defect-free for at least three years. I will be spending a lot of time doing critical video editing, and I cannot have a monitor with even a few dead pixels. Anandtech even did an article saying how manufacturers should adopt a zero-dead-pixel policy. I totally agree, and I don't think people should have to wait until 10% of the screen or even 10 pixels are dead before they can get a replacement. Store warranties are supposed to enhance the manufacturer's warranty.

FYI, a week ago I went to a local Best Buy store, and they said that I could replace an LCD monitor that had even just 1 dead pixel. Then today I called up Best Buy to be sure, and they told me 10%. They asked me what store I had heard the 1 pixel rule from, and now they are going to contact that store and tell them that it should be 10%. I guess that'll teach me.

 

[pup81]

I agree that CRT's are way better for image quality right now. LCD's don't compare. However, space restrictions, eye problems (and, yes, LCD's are easier on the eyes despite what some think),lower radiation (although not by a whole lot), lower power consumption, etc. have won me over.

BTW, has anyone been able to get a 20" Apple Cinema Display to work with a PC and Radeon 9800 Pro?

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: pup81
I just got off the phone with a supervisor at Best Buy, and she said they're dead pixel policy for their service plan is 10% of the pixels must be dead before replacement is considered. Does this sound a little ridiculous?

Does anyone know of a store that has a better dead pixel policy?

Thanks for any help.

Pft! My god 10%? That's friggin unusable, smash it with a hammer and say look 10% dont work.

I think they should get replaced if there are any dead pixels period... Although I know that's not everyone's policy.

 

[John]

The BB Supervisor is only "guessing" at their house warranty on dead pixels, and in this case he's FOS. In all honesty I think it is a waste of money to buy extended warranties on monitors since a reputable LCD or CRT is going to come with a full 3yr mfg. warranty.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"she said they're dead pixel policy for their service plan is 10% of the pixels must be dead before replacement is considered. Does this sound a little ridiculous?"


She just doen't know what their policy is. Shoot. 8 years ago my laptop had a 8 bad pixel gaurantee.

 

[pup81]

The supervisor said that she has been told by her superiors that it is 10%. And I agree that a CRT does not need an extended warranty, but I think LCD's are different....at least right now, anyways. LCD's seem to be much more problem-prone. When CRT's break, there is usually less bickering about what is acceptable as a return. LCD's it seems are very different. It has to be "distracting enough" in order to be replaced. Plus, getting a warranty through the store usually ensures getting a replacement much quicker than paying for shipment of the old system back to the manufacturer. To me, it makes much more sense.

 

[pup81]

Actually, I talked to 3 different people at Best Buy who said the same thing. And if they don't know, then Best Buy needs to get its act together.

The dead pixel policy should be much better than the original manufacturer's if I am going to be purchasing a $100 3-year warranty on a monitor that already has a three-year warranty that covers 5 or 6 dead pixels.

 

[John]

pup81, Planar & Dell come to mind as companies that offer a full 3 yr parts and labor on their LCD monitors. Both of them will even pay for you to return the defective monitor to their facility. IMHO you should forget the Best Buy crap warranty. However, no matter what we say you must make the decision, but keep in mind most of us are very familiar with the ins and outs of hardware and warranties.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: pup81
Well, the reason I would want to get an extended service plan would be to make sure that the monitor is defect-free for at least three years. I will be spending a lot of time doing critical video editing, and I cannot have a monitor with even a few dead pixels. Anandtech even did an article saying how manufacturers should adopt a zero-dead-pixel policy. I totally agree, and I don't think people should have to wait until 10% of the screen or even 10 pixels are dead before they can get a replacement. Store warranties are supposed to enhance the manufacturer's warranty.

FYI, a week ago I went to a local Best Buy store, and they said that I could replace an LCD monitor that had even just 1 dead pixel. Then today I called up Best Buy to be sure, and they told me 10%. They asked me what store I had heard the 1 pixel rule from, and now they are going to contact that store and tell them that it should be 10%. I guess that'll teach me.

you're beyond help, im sorry.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: John
pup81, Planar & Dell come to mind as companies that offer a full 3 yr parts and labor on their LCD monitors. Both of them will even pay for you to return the defective monitor to their facility. IMHO you should forget the Best Buy crap warranty. However, no matter what we say you must make the decision, but keep in mind most of us are very familiar with the ins and outs of hardware and warranties.

Thats right all companies offering LCDs worth editing video on have a 3 year warranty (samsung, viewsonic,nec, hitachi,planar). Along with the dead pixels you should also know that LCDs tend to darken over time and that is not covered by warranty either.

 

[pup81]

I know you all know a lot about warranties and hardware, but getting a warranty with a local store means that I can meet a project deadlines without having to wait even a few days for a replacement. And actually, Best Buy said that their warranty does cover the slight darkening or fading of LCD monitors.

Thank you for the Dell and Planar recommendations. Planar is really good with their shipping for warranty replacement.

 

[bigshooter]

I bought my Samsung 191T from Best Buy, and was going to buy the service plan until I found out it covers exactly what the manufacturers warranty does. I was told they go by manufacturers guidelines for bad pixels. If they are telling you 10%, then they don't know what they are talking about. How would they even know if 10% are dead, and not 9%, are they going to count them? Both my roommates work at Best Buy, I used to work at Best BUy, and I also know a ton of people who have or still do work there. They honestly don't know a lot of stuff, because Best Buy has a bad habit of firing management, and changing policies.

You should also read the service plan brochure and see what it says. I know there is nothign in there about 10% failure. The good thing is they will definitely give you a new LCD if something happens, and they will replace it on the spot. I decided taht for $100 I might as well just send my LCD to Samsung, and then buy a temp crt monitor.

 

[IaPuP]

10% of a decent LCD monitor is on the order of 192,000 pixels.

Even 1% is rediculous. That's 19,200 pixels. Any more than a couple around the edges of the screen is bad. I'll tell ya what, we have about 600 19" Planar monitors at work and I'll be damned if I have seen more than 10 dead pixels in the WHOLE LOT!! 90% of the monitors have none.

I guess it's sorta like buying a new car. If only 90% of the car worked, you would bring it RIGHT back and demand a refund. If there is one tiny little lever on the inside of the rear door, some people would just ignore it. I guess that's like a couple of dead pixels. But 10%????? who's ass did that get pulled out of?

heh

Eric

 

[newuser]

Originally posted by: ncircle
create more dead pixels and return, 10% of the screen is absurd.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: pup81
I know you all know a lot about warranties and hardware, but getting a warranty with a local store means that I can meet a project deadlines without having to wait even a few days for a replacement. And actually, Best Buy said that their warranty does cover the slight darkening or fading of LCD monitors.

Thank you for the Dell and Planar recommendations. Planar is really good with their shipping for warranty replacement.

They also told you you had to have 130,00 dead pixels to be considered defective and the first Best Buy told you they would replace it with just one dead pixel. They don't know what they warranty. But since they told you they would cover darkening (the mans. don't) your problem is solved. If you have to take it back tell them its darker than when you bought it. I would make sure a manager writes something on your extended service agreement that indicates this. Maybe you can find another one that will sign off on a dead pixel disclaimer too.

Good Luck.