When Does 3=1?

When it comes to Samsung monitor warranties.

As I boxed up the dead monitor I found the little clear envelope that held the driver disc, a handy dust cloth, the quick set up guide and a warranty card. Right there in bold letters at the top of the warranty card it stated that this monitor had a 36 month warranty for parts and labor. Huh? An internet search had told me it had a one year warranty.

I went online and filled out a service request on the Samsung web site. I entered name, address, phone number, alt phone number, email address (twice) and a password (twice) before I got to the part where you enter the monitor part number and serial number. When I did that is indicated that the monitor had been manufactured in April of 2009. The date was useless for the one year warranty (which was already moot), but helped if there was a three year one as it meant I wouldn’t have to produce a receipt as proof of purchase as it was long gone. When I hit the next button a dialog box popped up that said that my process couldn’t be completed and I needed to call 1-800-SAMSUNG.

So I called the number. Voice mail hell, 2 choices, followed by 3 choices and then 5 more before I got a recording telling me the offices were closed and to call back during working hours. At least it was the old fashioned listen then hit a number kind of menu and not one those where you have to say the words where you have to shout into the phone to have any chance of the machine understanding you.

I waited the hour until they were open and called back. As you can guess by the title of this post, the CSR was very apologetic, but could do nothing for me, nor could she explain why the paper I had said 3 years instead of the official 1 year figure.

A more in depth search on Samsung LCD monitor repair one the web told me the problem could be a power supply board, a main board issue, a burnt out back light. etc. Not worth the time, money or effort on my part. Into the trash it goes.

Don’t worry I’m disposing it correctly because my fair city actually has curbside pickup of electronic equipment. All you have to do is give them a call the day before your regular pick up, tell them what you are chucking out and they come take it away.