TCL TV Warranty Options

kiitos on 29/01/2023 - 22:12

I bought a TCL 43" TV from JB Hi Fi in July 2021. The display recently started playing up severely. There is a 3 year warranty on it. JB Hi Fi wasn't much help when we contacted them about it, recommending we approach TCL. TCL has been responsive. But they've indicated it looks like a panel fault, it's not viable for them to replace it, so they are looking at offering a credit for the price of the TV at JB Hi Fi. They said they would discuss with the store closest to me and get back to me to see "what they can do".

I said that I was expecting the TV to be repaired or replaced, as the price I paid for the TV ($400) wouldn't buy a replacement without me spending hundreds more. The guy said if there was a replacement or repair, then only 1.5 years of warranty would be left, whereas with a credit the warranty would start again as it's a new purchase. That's a good point, except that I would be spending possibly up to double that for a replacement from a different brand. Or is this a reasonable option to go for given the TCL TV has proven to be unreliable in this time?

The warranty (https://www.tcl.com/content/dam/brandsite/region/australia/A…) says it's TCL's choice if they repair, replace or refund. I know that's not the case for a statutory warranty, but would that apply now given the TV is 18 months old? Or does their own warranty (their choice) apply now?

Electrical & Electronics TCL

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/01/2023 - 22:55
    +1

    as the price I paid for the TV ($400) wouldn't buy a replacement

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/ffalcon-43-43uf3-4k-ultra…

    ?

    • kiitos on 29/01/2023 - 23:25

      From what I had been reading when I originally bought it, TCL had better reviews and perceived quality than Ffalcon, which seemed to be a JB inhouse generic rebrand?

    • rooster7777 on 30/01/2023 - 08:54
      +1

      A ffalcon is not a replacement for a TCL….they are a different product line with different prices and warranties.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 30/01/2023 - 09:13
        +1

        was more saying, actually $400 can still buy a 43 inch tv.

        maybe op should spend a little more and get something from a better brand perhaps. 400 these days definitely buys less than what it did in 2021 tech wise.

        • rooster7777 on 30/01/2023 - 09:27

          I haven't paid any attention to 43" prices so I accept what you're saying for that size range.

          What I do know is the arse has fallen out of prices for say… TCL 75".

          I bought a 75" P735 in august last year for $1330 as a bargain price, after waiting for about 3 months watching all prices.
          Around christmas they could be bought for in the $900s. Prices have gone up since then, but I reckon on special they'll be back to the $900s or less within a month or two.

    • JimB on 30/01/2023 - 10:20
      +1

      No one is disputing this.

  • cookie2 on 29/01/2023 - 23:27

    Their warranty as still in warranty period. But your statutory rights apply in addition to any product warranties. I'd take the replacement. Worst case the tv breaks again just outside of remaining warranty period, you'd be able to show further faults to push for repair/replacement outside of warranty period. They just want you to take a credit coz it works better for them I'd say.

  • rooster7777 on 30/01/2023 - 09:03

    Don't make a decision until they have a suitable TCL on special, then ask for $400 off?
    Their prices currently seem errr….excessive… but may drop significantly in the future?
    Personally I wouldn't be worried about "only" a 1.5 year warranty on the replacement. That's more than most manufacturers, and my experiences with tcl reliability has been good.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 30/01/2023 - 09:14
      +3

      just tell JB to refund it to a gift card maybe. winwin for jb and op and sit on it till around maybe june 30.

  • Drakesy on 30/01/2023 - 11:14
    +1

    Take the refund, wait for tv prices to come down and buy again on special.

    Or better yet, purchase the exact same tv on marketplace/gumtree for a fraction of the price.

  • djsweet on 30/01/2023 - 11:23

    If you would like a cheap upgrade then take the money and buy a 65". 65" seems to be the sweet spot on pricing atm, and you should easily get a TCL one below $800). 43" isnt really common anymore, so might be hard to get a bargain. Otherwise, push for a replacement. They still produce 43" models, so they should be able to provide one. Fwiw, TCL replaced a faulty tv for me under warranty and it took over a month. So factor that in.

  • happydude on 30/01/2023 - 12:29
    +1

    TCL do not need to give you a replacement or repair. Only loss of value which they seem to have offered.

    JB do need to refund, repair or replace. Go back to them if that is what you are after.

    https://support.jbhifi.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/360053005194

  • apple2016 on 30/01/2023 - 12:41

    The warranty (https://www.tcl.com/content/dam/brandsite/region/australia/A…) says it's TCL's choice if they repair, replace or refund.

    This is correct. TCL as manufacturer can opt to refund. Also the refund can depend on how long you have been using the product.
    JB HIFI cannot tell you to go to the manufacturer. They must offer either repair or refund. check this : https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-… .
    Also you can opt for refund by the original method of payment even if repair is possible or JB HIFI offers replacement.

  • davnkaz on 27/02/2023 - 16:02

    I have the exact same issue with the same TV, purchased in May 2021, JB have sent mine away, and I am waiting to hear, I not overly concerned on the make, even if it's a replacement TCL, as it's from a spare room, I just don't want the same thing to happen 18 months down the line again.

  • kiitos on 30/03/2023 - 21:29

    I ended up taking the refund (they weren't offering anything else) which was OK as we had a spare TV to use instead (not as functional as the TCL though).

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