Dead Pixels... What to do?

[ModelM]

I just purchased a NEC LCD1760V display from newegg. On arrival, it has 2 dead pixels, on the left side of the screen and one pretty much in the dead center of the screen. The one on the left is hardly noticeable, but the one in the center is bright yellow, and extremely distracting. Whenever I watch a DVD, that I find that pixel starring me right in the face! Essentially, this display is useless to me. So what can I do?

Newegg requries 8 dead pixels to do an exchange. But I still think I could do an RMA for a 15% restocking fee. In which case I would be donating $60+ to Newegg... sucks to be me.

Is it possible to go to the local bestbuy, circuitcity, etc. Purchase a new display, and return the broken one in place of the new one?

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: ModelM

Is it possible to go to the local bestbuy, circuitcity, etc. Purchase a new display, and return the broken one in place of the new one?

That's called fraud, duder.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: amnesiac

Originally posted by: ModelM

Is it possible to go to the local bestbuy, circuitcity, etc. Purchase a new display, and return the broken one in place of the new one?

That's called fraud, duder.

And, ModelM, since you are proposing fraud, I'll add to amnesiac's post and say that fraud is illegal.

That said, I will say that Newegg's requiring of 8 dead pixels is a bit ridiculous. If one transistor is bad in a stick of RAM, it's defective. Why shouldn't that apply to LCD's too?
I don't know what course of action should be taken here, but committing fraud is not an option.

Edit - check out NEC for warranty service.
"For example, in the NEC MultiSync LCD1850X, NEC-Mitsubishi?s newest flat panel monitor, the pixel faults are limited to a maximum of two dark pixels and two light pixels as well as a maximum of five defective sub-pixels per million or .0005 percent failure rate of sub-pixels."

Don't know if just 2 will count or not for that though, but it is "closer".

 

[ModelM]

Sorry, I didn't realize that as fraud. If merchandise is currently on sale, and you purhcased it before it was onsale, sometimes store will let you return it to get the sale price. I thought that this was kind of the same thing, but obviously I was wrong. So I guess I will return it to newegg for a refund minus the 15% restocking fee.

 

[Slappy00]

you shoulda got it at www.monitorsdirect.com

monitors is one of the few things i dont buy at newegg....

btw just to be the devils advocate: doing what you propose is illegal could land you in some trouble with the guys who wear "FBI" on their shirts (remember you bought that monitor across state lines, unless im wrong).

SO my official stance is that doing that is wrong, dont do it and you will go bald if you do. (unless you already are, in that case your har on your back will migrate towards your neather-regions, making you quite the specticle when you get your groove-on)

That said:

The retailer's dont care, and the under-paid guy working customer service at BB certanly can give a rats-ass whats in the box as long as its the same model.

Do what you think is right or wrong or whatever...

 

[BeauJangles]

SOmetimes you can get those pixels "unstuck". Ask around on these forums, some guys have done it by gently rubbing the area around the pixel with a cloth

 

[dkozloski]

Sometimes pixels can be "unstuck" by massaging them carefully. It can be a lengthy process. Be aware that the substrate material for an LCD is a sheet of glass that is much thinner than common window glass so be careful.

 

[HeinekinMan]

One of the reasons why I bought an NEC monitor was supposedly their policy and way of dealing with dead pixel issues. I also bought my monitors through Dell just in case they arrived with any dead pixel (they are very good about allowing you to return stuff, no questions asked).

Before RMA'ing to newegg.com, why don't you call and talk to an NEC rep? Explain that this one particular dead pixel in the middle of the screen is of major concern to you (it sure as hell would be to me too!!!). Maybe they might be willing to exchange it for you. Be persistent since you've really got nothing to lose.

I've heard and read about NEC being somewhat liberal on their actual stated dead pixel policy (which is similar to what newegg.com lists on their web site). I'd like to know too in case my wife's 1860NX starts acting up...

 

[ModelM]

Just thought I'd give everyone an update. I spoke to NEC, and the level 2 tech there. They said they could not replace the monitor for two dead pixels no matter where they are. So I spoke to newegg, and they will refund my money minus the 15% restocking fee.

I guess it could be worse, at least I'm not stuck with a $400 paperweight.

Also, the exchange idea never worked, mainly because I couldn't find any stores that sold this model. But I doubt I would have been able to do it anyway.

 

[spclwpns]

Sorry for You, but I'm glad U posted.... I'll NEVER buy an lcd, they'd have to pry my cold dead fingers off my beloved CRT's.....

I wonder if newegg will get away with returning it (after the bums 'taxed' you)..... OR, will they re-package and 'tax' another ???? hehehe, time after time, even ?

Nobody 'backed' the product here did they ????

Lesson learned.

 

[uart]

Yeah, thanks for the update ModelM, it's a good warning for anyone buying LCD's - buyer beware!

Out of 5 LCD's (15") that I've bought, three have been perfect and two have had one dead pixel each. One of these two, one had a stuck-blue subpixel which was not too annoying, but the other one was a stuck bright red sub-pixel that was ultra annoying - even though it was only right near the very edge of the screen and generally well away from the action. I can only imagine how disgustingly annoying such a stuck pixel would be in the middle of the screen.

Gald you managed to return it and hope no one else here is unlucky enough to receive it as they will surely just re-package it and sell it to someone else. Surely there must be a better way for manufactures to sell these things, I think that they should be graded according to number and type of dead pixels and have this info clearly labeled and advertised. That would propably be hell for the retails though.

 

[HeinekinMan]

ModelM,

Thanks for posting and sorry to hear about your experience, I guess these *others* that were able to return for exchange in the past (that had minimal dead pixels) must have been extrememly lucky (or BS'ing) or NEC has clamped down and are sticking to their stated policy. I simply can't believe a dead pixel right smack dab in the middle of the screen can be considered OK for a new product.

Can you imagine if you take delivery of a brand new 30k sports car only to find a small chip in the middle of your windshield in your line-of-sight? It's too small to be considered a safety hazard, and too *petty* to warrant a windshield replacement, but damn you have to stare at it every time you climb into the driver's seat!!!! No fvcking way!!!

Maybe next time you might want to consider Dell.com as an option (I believe they allow for full return on most items for any reason within 30 days) although getting burned like this may cause you to want to go local retailer from now on!! That way you can power it up on the spot (if they allow you to do this) and verify...