Mar 26, 2014 01:28 PM
306668 Views
(Updated Mar 26, 2014 01:29 PM)
I had bought a 32" LG LCD TV model 32LD460 two years ago after a detailed study and comparison of features and prices of a number of TVs. I thought LG was a reliable brand. I was therefore quite shocked when in the 13th month after purchase, it just failed to turn on. Whenever I tried to switch it on, the backlight would momentarily light up for a second and then go off. The power ON indicator would then turn red and flash indefinitely.
I was even more surprised when the technician from the LG service center came with a replacement Power Supply board and after trying it out told me that the main panel and the main video board had failed and that I had to pay Rs.17, 000/- for their replacement. The warranty had ended after 12 months.
Being an electronics engineer myself, with many years of troubleshooting experience by myself, I rejected his offer with the hope of repairing it myself. I wish to let all readers know that I successfully repaired the fault which I located in the Power Supply board itself! The total cost of components that I replaced was Rs.2/-(Rs.Two only!). So, this raises the following questions about the business ethics of LG(or for that matter, any of the so-called 'reputed' foreign manufacturers :(
If the technician came with a replacement board that did not function, it was obviously a genuine ploy to convince me that the problem was in the TV panel itself, which is known to be very expensive. Since, I did ultimately locate the fault on the original Power Supply board itself and repaired it, does this not amount to willful cheating?
It is a known fact that none of the foreign TV brands have board level servicing facilities in India and force customers to replace either the entire circuit board or the TV itself, in order to ensure continued sales of their products. Why cant they set up board level servicing facilities across the country and provide affordable support for their own products at least for 4 or 5 years after purchase? Even if they cannot do it by themselves, they can at least train a few private technicians so that these technicians could be gainfully employed besides keep the LG customers satisfied.
The fact that the authorised Service technician never bothered to get back to me again to check if my problem had been solved, proves the fact that LG doesn't care for the customers once the sale transaction is completed.
After this experience, I can never trust LG for any of their products and I am quite certain that I will never buy any LG product again.
