View Full Version : My bad TV Authority Experience
At the first part of November I ordered a 42" Panasonic Plasma from TV Authority. Ordered online, used my credit card. A few days after placing the order I used their chat online function from their website to check the status. Oh, there is a problem my bill to and ship to are two different addresses. Ok, I quickly call my bank and we clear that up. The rep informs me it will be at least one week for shipping. Thats fine, I am patient. Its just going in my office. That night I go to Costco and they have the same TV for the same price. I buy the TV from Costco that night and go online when I get home to inform TV Authority that I want to cancel the order. OK, no problem they say its was going to be another week anyways until shipping. We will credit your card back ASAP. A week goes by no credit back, then 2 weeks and no credit back. I contact my bank and file a dispute. It has been more then 2 weeks now and they still won't respond to my bank about the dispute. Of course they never shipped a TV. Of course I have a temporary credit from my bank for the charge. But.....what is the deal with the lousy customer service at TV Authority with not being able to push a few buttons on the keyboard and credit my card back. I would be careful when buying from them. I of course welcome any comment back here from a rep from TV Authority. They won't respond to my bank maybe they will respond here for everyone to see them exposed.
Hope you get this resolved.
Their answer will likely be:
Sorry for the troubles, our business is booming and we are going through growing pains. President XYZ has personally taken care of the issue.
RandyWalters
12-19-06, 03:23 PM
There is already about a half-dozen similar threads about this vendor - you could have just posted your experience in one of those. If you had searched this forum or resellerratings dot com before placing your order from them, this probably wouldn't have happened to you. Sorry.
l337hxr
12-19-06, 03:25 PM
www.reselleratings.com
look at the tvauthority ratings.
I think it's time this sponsor is removed from the forum.
Next time, make your purchase at: 'one call' dot com
I got my tv there and the service was fast and great. They have top ratings at reselleratings! Plus, their customer service is opened 7days/week !
in the end, in my belief, when you buy things online nowadays...you're not just buying the product, you're buying the service and satisfaction and peace of mind that things will get resolved quickly if anything was to happen.
Wow. TV Authority truly has gone down the toilet. Glad I didn't order from them.
Stay away people - this forum is littered with bad experience threads from this company. Go elsewhere - there is plenty of competition out there that can deliver what this company cannot.
Look at this pile of complaints:
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/TV_Authority
Growing pains, my ass. This company is about to go bankrupt and will take your money with them.
And why DOES AVS Forum continue to support them as a 'Forum Sponsor'?
Mr. Biggles
12-19-06, 03:48 PM
[QUOTE=l337hxr]www.reselleratings.com
Next time, make your purchase at: 'one call' dot com
I got my tv there and the service was fast and great. They have top ratings at reselleratings! Plus, their customer service is opened 7days/week !
[/QUOTE]
I've bought many things from OneCa** and there service is excellent when it comes to shipping things out timely, but...there return policy for large items is less than desirable.
Here it is, and note policy of large TV's:
Return Of New Items
******* allows you to return any new, factory-sealed and unopened merchandise within 30 days of your purchase date. You may choose a full-credit product exchange or a full credit by the same means payment was made. Shipping charges cannot be refunded.
Return Of Defective Items
******* allows you to return defective merchandise within 30 days of your purchase date. You may choose a full-credit product exchange or a full credit by the same means payment was made. Please include a detailed written description of the defect and how to replicate the problem. Merchandise found to be non-defective will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. Additional fees may be assessed for missing hardware. Shipping charges cannot be refunded.
Return Of DVD Movies
******* allows you to return any defective or unopened DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-ray movie within 30 days of your purchase date. Unopened product must be returned with the original packaging intact, including the manufacturer’s shrink wrap, and otherwise must be in mint, resalable condition. You may choose a full-credit product exchange or a full credit by the same means payment was made. Shipping charges cannot be refunded. Properly functioning DVD movies that have been opened may not be returned.
Non-Returnable Items
******* is unable to accept returns of the following items:
Televisions over 20 inches
Cut-to-length audio or video cable
Special order merchandise
Projection bulbs
Audio/Video furniture
Packaging Your Return
Returned merchandise must include all factory packed accessories in the original carton with all UPC and Bar Codes intact. Incomplete returns will receive a reduced credit reflecting any missing accessories. Return merchandise must be double boxed with no writing on the manufacturer's box. Your Return Authorization Number must be displayed prominently on the outside of the shipping box.
Return Shipping Costs
You are responsible for shipping any return product to our warehouse. In the case that you exchange a defective product for a new product, ******* will provide and pay for the outbound shipping for replacement merchandise. Returned merchandise must arrive no later than 30 days after we provide you with a Return Authorization Number.
RommelB
12-19-06, 04:01 PM
I was going to buy a television from them and save almost $200. But everyone (literally) i asked about TVA said you might save money but you're almost guaranteed one f*cked up experience. I don't recall ever hearing anything good from them.
RandyWalters
12-19-06, 06:38 PM
[QUOTE=RommelB]I was going to buy a television from them and save almost $200. But everyone (literally) i asked about TVA said you might save money but you're almost guaranteed one f*cked up experience. I don't recall ever hearing anything good from them.[/QUOTE]Well there are plenty of people here who have had a good plasma buying experience with TVA, but the high number of complaints is very troubling. I got turned off by them last year when i called to ask a few questions about shipping and picking up local (since i'm only 10 miles from their office) and the guy was kinda rude, short, condescending, and acted like i was bothering him. I bought from CC online instead.
You can see the pattern quite clearly in the resellerrating comments. Before May 06 mostly very satisfied comments. After May 06 sporadic satisfied and not satisfied. Recently mostly Very DIS-satisfied.
ArizonaDoug
12-22-06, 11:30 PM
I too have just gone through a terrible experience with TV Authority. Purchased a Samsung DLP last year with no trouble, so when I was looking to add a plasma this November I went back to TV Authority and ordered an "in-stock" 50" Panasonic. Ordered on 11/20, credit card charged same day, but a week went by without a ship confirm or tracking number. Called customer service - "oh, that was shipped today and I'll send you a tracking number in the next day". Of course, three days later no tracking number, so I called a second time. "Yes, I'm sure the plasma shipped and I'll email you a tracking number as soon as we get the info from the warehouse".
Two weeks after I ordered and my credit card charged for this in-stock item, I called a third time and was told that the warehouse was "backed up" and the plasma should ship any day. Oh, I also noticed that after my second call the order status on the web site was changed to show that the item had shipped - waiting on tracking number. Now, I had just found out that this was a complete fabrication. Fourth and final call three weeks after order and the customer service person can't provide a reason for the delay or an estimated ship date. My next call was to my credit card company to dispute the charge (it was reversed).
When businesses take cash but don't ship product for weeks afterwards, potential consumers should STAY AWAY.
PhilipsPhanatic
12-23-06, 12:20 AM
[QUOTE=ArizonaDoug]When businesses take cash but don't ship product for weeks afterwards, potential consumers should STAY AWAY.[/QUOTE]
In financial terms, TV Authority appears to be have negative working capital (assets less liabilities) and potential buyers are playing Musical Chairs with their money. If the music stops, whoever is left standing gets caught holding the bag.
Anybody who uses them should have their head examined. Maybe C.O.D but even that isn't going to last long with them -- this company appears to have SEVERE financial problems. They are gaming the 'float' much like a bank and trying to stay one step ahead of regulators, bankers, and general creditors and suppliers.
I'd rather deal with those Nigerians sending me e-mails about making a quick $17,000,000 !! :D
hi im drummer03
12-23-06, 12:30 AM
Just another story of buying online...
All I can say is..........VISUAL APEX
Yellbird
12-23-06, 02:17 AM
Just had the same thing happen to me, just a shame I didn't know about this site and Resellers com at the time. I got my money back but not sure why! I disputed it with my CC, BBB, and I wrote Pioneer. Since Pioneer will only warranty if you buy from an authorized dealer then I believe they should make sure their dealers are on the up and up. What a experience! If you want problems buy from them, if you want a TV buy elsewhere.
[QUOTE=ArizonaDoug]I too have just gone through a terrible experience with TV Authority. Purchased a Samsung DLP last year with no trouble, so when I was looking to add a plasma this November I went back to TV Authority and ordered an "in-stock" 50" Panasonic. Ordered on 11/20, credit card charged same day, but a week went by without a ship confirm or tracking number. Called customer service - "oh, that was shipped today and I'll send you a tracking number in the next day". Of course, three days later no tracking number, so I called a second time. "Yes, I'm sure the plasma shipped and I'll email you a tracking number as soon as we get the info from the warehouse".
Two weeks after I ordered and my credit card charged for this in-stock item, I called a third time and was told that the warehouse was "backed up" and the plasma should ship any day. Oh, I also noticed that after my second call the order status on the web site was changed to show that the item had shipped - waiting on tracking number. Now, I had just found out that this was a complete fabrication. Fourth and final call three weeks after order and the customer service person can't provide a reason for the delay or an estimated ship date. My next call was to my credit card company to dispute the charge (it was reversed).
When businesses take cash but don't ship product for weeks afterwards, potential consumers should STAY AWAY.[/QUOTE]
vmaxxer
12-23-06, 06:36 AM
I think its interesting that folks buy online to save $200.
For me ... that is just not enough money to save on an item like a flat panel. When I got my Toshiba, I spoke with the salesmen and I told him that I would love to make the purchase locally, but they were SO out of line on price compared to online that I couldn't (they were $500 high).
We came together ona final price that was around $170 over the cheapest online place I could find and I happily wrote the check.
To each his own, and $200 coin has more importance to some folks over others, but there IS something to be said for buying local in these instances.
optivity
12-23-06, 09:23 AM
[QUOTE=psevey]My bad TV Authority Experience[/QUOTE]Another one of these... TVA is the AVSF proverbial black eye...
cajieboy
12-23-06, 09:40 AM
Here we go again....geez AVS, these guys need to be kicked to the curb and banned from advertising on this Forum.
SaltiDawg
12-23-06, 09:59 AM
[QUOTE=RandyWalters]There is already about a half-dozen similar threads about this vendor - you could have just posted your experience in one of those. ... [/QUOTE]
Oh wonderful advice. If you have a problem bury it in some old thread. :rolleyes:
EJRothman
12-23-06, 10:47 AM
I had a very positive experience buying from TVA in August. At the time their prices beat out VA. I can't speak to anyone else's problems with the company, all I know is that my service and product were both great.
[QUOTE=acribb]
And why DOES AVS Forum continue to support them as a 'Forum Sponsor'?[/QUOTE]
I never considered a "Forum Sponsor" to be anything more than a company whose check to AVS Forum doesn't bounce. There is no endorsement of their business practices. If the checks keep coming, the logo will still be at the top of the page.
greenland
12-23-06, 12:41 PM
[QUOTE=EJRothman]I had a very positive experience buying from TVA in August. At the time their prices beat out VA. I can't speak to anyone else's problems with the company, all I know is that my service and product were both great.[/QUOTE]
What is your point?. If ten houses on a block get broken into, does the fact that another house wasn't broken into make everything OK?.
GnatGoSplat
12-23-06, 12:56 PM
[QUOTE=Suzook]All I can say is..........VISUAL APEX[/QUOTE]
I 2nd that. I bought a Panasonic 50" plasma from them a couple weeks ago. I ordered online. No phone call to hassle me about buying accessories, and I wasn't required to call them to get hassled. They did email me about accessories, so I inquired about a DVI blade and received a reply very quickly. I received a tracking number within a day of ordering, and a phone call 5-days later to set up a delivery appointment for the next day. 6-days after ordering (counting the weekend), I had the plasma in my living room and working great. It couldn't have been easier!
At the time I ordered, Visual Apex had a better price than TVA as well.
[QUOTE=optivity]Another one of these... TVA is the AVSF proverbial black eye...[/QUOTE]
This is like a recurring bad nightmare for the buyers :rolleyes: .
How many threads like this do we need before TVA is given the boot from AVS forum ?
TVA is about to go BANKRUPT, is my diagnosis :eek: :eek:
markrubin
12-23-06, 01:25 PM
:(
Larry Parker
12-23-06, 01:56 PM
All I can say is..........VISUAL APEX
VA gets perfect ratings from customers, but they do not sell TV's. They sell monitors. That is, no built-in HDTV tuner, no speakers, maybe no stand.
danemobile
12-23-06, 08:56 PM
My experience with TVAuthority back in April of 2006 was also a negative one.
I related my experience with this company in a couple of posts to this web site during April of 2006.
The 2 posts in two different threads started by other members seem to have disappeared or maybe this was standard procedure at the time for posts about a forum sponsor.
Despite my negative online ordering experience with TV Authority I tried ordering a replacement TV from Visual Apex and was greatly impressed by their service.
buiyahkah
12-23-06, 10:02 PM
[QUOTE=Larry Parker]VA gets perfect ratings from customers, but they do not sell TV's. They sell monitors. That is, no built-in HDTV tuner, no speakers, maybe no stand.[/QUOTE]
not true, that's only the case on certain commercial models that they sell (i.e. the panasonic 9uk). if you look on their front page you can see that they sell the pioneer pdp5070hd which is a consumer model that a lot of people on this forum have.
Well I read the reseller ratings comments and unfortunately I have to agree with the sentiment for sponsor removal unless its not possible by contract. Usually there is some sort of professional ethics clause as far as contracts. I belive being a sponsor for the forum is more than about writing a check when certain reputational issues come into play.
My vote must go with removal due to potential misleading endorsement issues. Of course, I actually have no vote...call it a thoughtful recommendation.
I called them a couple of weeks ago, and waited on hold, for at least 35 minutes. I left a message, I wanted to buy a BD player from them, and never heard back from anyone. Hard to make any money that way. I wonder if Stephanie from TV Authority, still frequents AVS?
RandyWalters
12-24-06, 01:11 PM
[QUOTE=SaltiDawg]Oh wonderful advice. If you have a problem bury it in some old thread. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]Yes! Please do! This is a technical forum, not a complaint forum. There must be a dozen different threads about this same exact thing every time and it's getting very tiring. I wish the mods would just combine all the TVA threads into one where everybody can wallow in despair together in one place.
http://www.danaroc.com/blog/wp-content/themes/danaroc/uploads/broken_record.jpg
SaltiDawg
12-24-06, 01:34 PM
[QUOTE=RandyWalters]Yes! Please do! This is a technical forum, not a complaint forum. ... [/QUOTE]
Many people that are contemplating spending thousands of dollars really do want to hear about good and bad experiences with potential vendors. If you're not interested, well don't read these valuable threads. Posting "cutsey" smart arse broken record images are not helping anyone - except to determine the value of your input.
You have a good day, you hear. :rolleyes:
[QUOTE=RandyWalters]Yes! Please do! This is a technical forum, not a complaint forum. There must be a dozen different threads about this same exact thing every time and it's getting very tiring. I wish the mods would just combine all the TVA threads into one where everybody can wallow in despair together in one place.
http://www.danaroc.com/blog/wp-content/themes/danaroc/uploads/broken_record.jpg[/QUOTE]
Should be a sticky at this point Randy.
cajieboy
12-24-06, 04:20 PM
I beg to differ. AVS has always been much more than just a "technical" forum. Perhaps the "technical" side of this Forum is your greatest interest, but why then even bother to click on the thread, or even better...why ARE you posting here??? To complain about the complaining?? Strange, very strange.
This is pretty disappointing. I did a quick search and it appears TVA isn't responding here either. I purchased my Panny plasma from them over a year and a half ago and had a generally favorable experience.....though I wasn't called in advance of delivery as promised....I just happened to be home by chance. The reseller ratings are just abysmal though, especially the last couple months. AVS forum has a good reputation by me but that might change if the forum sponsors don't address why TVA's standing here hasn't changed (i.e., sponsor).
omeletpants
12-24-06, 07:05 PM
[QUOTE=SaltiDawg]Many people that are contemplating spending thousands of dollars really do want to hear about good and bad experiences with potential vendors. If you're not interested, well don't read these valuable threads. Posting "cutsey" smart arse broken record images are not helping anyone - except to determine the value of your input.
You have a good day, you hear. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
And he also said there are numerous other threads on this vendor. Why are you defending redundant postings?
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