Not Ready for Prime Time
Written: Feb 18 '01 (Updated Mar 20 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Gorgeous picture. Sleek styling.
Cons: It broke and labor is no longer covered by Sony warranty. It's 5 months old!
The Bottom Line: Yes, it has the best picture in the non-digital television aisle....but it's simply not reliable.
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| kingcutie's Full Review: Sony KV-32FV16 |
02/15/2001
I've owned this television for a mere 5 months. The other night it made a loud zap, and refused to turn back-on.
Sony's original warranty is only good for 3 months. I'm not happy. It's not like I can bring this gargantuan television into the shop, as it takes two people and a pick-up to haul.
I'm currently trying to have service techs come to my house and look at it. Luckily, I bought the extended warranty for another $184.00....What a bargain, huh? A mere $184.00 to insure an already grossly over-priced TV. By the way, have you ever had to wade your way through Sony's phone-trees? It takes forever to get through to a human, and when you do, you've invariably reached an irrelevant department. I've sent faxes aplenty and called about 25 slightly different numbers. All of the operators give you the same woefully insufficient and baffling information, promising that everything will be better with every progressive state. Guess what? It's not. If I were to tally up all the hours I've spent trying to resolve this mess, SONY WOULD OWE ME MONEY!
To be fair, this TV is gorgeous both in styling and picture quality. I loved it WHEN IT WORKED, but it's expensive as hell and, because Sony only has a 3-month labor warranty, I can imagine a lot of people taking it in the ear. There's no reason this television should have died on me. I only used it like once a week.
If you'll excuse me, I'm going to call Sony's extended warranty people once again. I'm expecting that my phone time will only be 3 hours or so...
Odds are I won't be able to watch "Survivor" for the next few weeks. I guess I'll have to follow Kucha and Ogakor progress via anonymous postings on the Internet.
Hey, television is more fun to read about than actually watch, right? Buy a Sony Vega if you agree.
Caveat Emptor!
Patrick
POST SCRIPT (02/29/2001):
The service technician finally came after I spent 20 days wrangling with Sony. I asked him if other Sony televisions die so quickly. "Yes," he said, "but mostly when they get moved or are brand new models like this one." I didn't move my TV, guys. Circuit City delivered the set and it hasn't been repositioned since. The logical conclusion? Sony rushed this product onto the market without properly working out all of the bugs. Looking at the Internet postings about this model, I am not alone.
I'll be sure to let you all know when -- OR IF? -- my television is back in fighting form.
LATEST NEWS (03/20/2001):
I got a call from the repair shop technician the other day. The defective part is going to take at least 2 months to replace. That's right. I CAN'T USE MY $1,400 TELEVISION FOR AT LEAST 60 DAYS!
I'm NOT Happy. Avoid this model like the plague.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
kingcutie
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Location: Evanston, IL USA
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I'm single, male and 32. Brown hair, hazel eyes, 170 and 5'9." Shameless? Yes.
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