Sony OLED Dead after 6 Years - Can ACL Actually Help Me?

KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 20:51
Last edited 24/04/2025 - 09:24 by 1 other user

Hey guys, I bought a 55KDA8F during the EB Games promotions from Sony for $1999, unfortunately my TV has stopped turning on after 6 years with no LED light showing.

Spoke with Sony and basically they told me they could send out a tech to repair but I would bear the full costs or they offer me a discount on a new TV (no details provided). I got them to send me that response via email and sent a follow up request but was knocked back again with the same options provided.

Ideally I want to see if I can get the TV repaired or replaced but considering its already 6 years old what are my chances in getting Sony to foot the bill?

I have doing some research and reading some of the stories people have had of success like this one

This definitely gives me some confidence that I may have a chance but not sure how far I will need to go with it.

I recently bought a new LG OLED for a different room so I am also considering my options if its worth TGG concierge to avoid the hassle for 5 years albeit.

I have had several Sony Bravia in the past all that are still working after more than 12 years use. Am I expecting too much from an OLED TV?

Electrical & Electronics OLED TV Sony Warranty

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Comments

  • JIMB0 on 23/04/2025 - 20:53
    +46

    Most on here like to discourage people from going down the ACL path for some reason. You've got nothing to lose but your time by giving it a shot.

    • KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 21:00

      Yeh, I am going to lodge a consumer complaint online but not sure if its worth taking to small claims court in WA.

      • JIMB0 on 23/04/2025 - 21:36
        +27

        You need to lodge a strongly worded complaint with Sony. Make it apparent that you'll go the distance and they may as well settle now.

        • Bruceflix on 24/04/2025 - 01:34
          +2

          This is the correct answer.

        • matt-ozb on 25/04/2025 - 21:13
          +5

          I did this and they don't care. You are incorrect this is their repky after my threats for ACL, tribunal, legal actikn .. .

          We understand that you wanted a different avenue/resolution however we will maintain our stance with the option we have provided, whether it be the chargeable repair or the special pricing offered., and if you want raise this case further to your governing bodies we will respect your decision, we will await correspondence and will respond accordingly.

          Kind Regards,

        • paulojr on 26/04/2025 - 15:39

          not sure about WA but consumer affairs victoria has a formal template which sony will recognise and realise you mean business. I'd love to see how you go. 6 years.. i think maybe you would win. hard to know.. can't see a reason the TV should fail at the 6 year mark due to wear and tear or other obvious reasons, my TVs all working perfect well past 10 year mark (sonys).

          • OZBMate8911 on 30/04/2025 - 14:22
            +2

            @paulojr: The ATO considers the effective life of a television as 10 years (TR 2022/1) in case you wanted an official government stance on how long they should last

        • 1Kenobi on 27/04/2025 - 08:34

          What does it mean to go the distance … what steps?

          • JIMB0 on 27/04/2025 - 11:50
            +1

            @1Kenobi: They're going to try fobbing you off in the hope that you'll give up. If they can sense that you'll take this to court and are likely to win it's better for them to settle early on rather than waste their resources only to lose anyway.

      • eccaz on 23/04/2025 - 22:54
        -6

        I believe Sony’s head office is in Sydney, so you may need to lodge a complaint with NCAT https://ncat.nsw.gov.au/ and not SAT https://www.sat.justice.wa.gov.au .

        NCAT has a filing fee of $60 or so. Sadly it’s often only after filing that a business will take an ACL claim seriously.

        Mention life expectancies for high end products, see if you can find any estimates Sony has provided and include them, as well as other brands of OLED’s and tv’s in general.

        Register your complaint with the ACCC, but they’re unlikely to help.

        • KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 23:50

          I wonder if this means I also need to file to Fair trading in NSW? I have just submitted one to WA Consumer affairs so will see what they say I guess.

          • scottishdave on 24/04/2025 - 14:59
            +1

            @KingJuf: Approach NSW Fair Trading first. They will approach Sony and usually this is enough. I did this with an Ikea (Electrolux) oven that was just out of warranty. Ikea and Electrolux said out of warranty, sorry. They agreed to fix it after Fair Trading contacted them.

          • eccaz on 24/04/2025 - 19:10
            -1

            @KingJuf: Fair trading and WA consumer affairs will both do nothing. Go to NCAT.

        • gyrex on 24/04/2025 - 08:01
          +4

          You file a *CAT claim in the state you reside, not where the head office of the company you're making a claim against is located. The reason for this is that if mediation is unsuccessful, *CAT will file a case at your local court if you wish to have the case heard by a magistrate.

          • eccaz on 24/04/2025 - 19:11

            @gyrex: Have you actually been through this process? Filing in your local state/territory is pointless if the business is not registered there.

            • gyrex on 25/04/2025 - 12:58

              @eccaz: Yes, twice with QCAT and the business was registered interstate (NSW).

              If you file interstate and mediation is unsuccessful and you elect to take the matter to court, you'll have to attend court in the state which you filed the claim which is obviously not prudent.

            • Parentheses on 25/04/2025 - 15:14
              +3

              @eccaz: Doing business in a state is sufficient for *CAT to have jurisdiction, no matter where the business is actually incorporated.

            • Morphio25 on 26/04/2025 - 10:26
              +8

              @eccaz: Worked in the civil jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court in my state for 3 years. Can confirm that the applicant lodges the claim where they want it to be heard, not where the company head office is. It is up to the company to then make arrangements to appear.

              The reason many cases settle once they reach the Magistrates Court is because the claim 99/100 falls within the minor jurisdiction where lawyers aren't allowed, so the company has to make arrangements to have someone in a position of authority (that is able to enter the company into a binding agreement) attend which is often cost prohibitive so the easier option is to settle the claim.

              • eccaz on 28/04/2025 - 09:16

                @Morphio25: Well that’s good to know. I’ve always lodged in the state the business is registered, have never had to go to court.

    • Dr Phil on 24/04/2025 - 08:25
      +30

      Six years is a long haul for a TV with 12 months warranty
      And you dont know what conditions the TV has been subject to, including if it has been moved or knocked or subject to a power surge.

      Sony is correct and OPs expectaions are somewhat unreasonable.

      TVs made 12 years ago were of much better quality manufacture.
      That is no indication of how long a new TV will last today.

        • TheFreaK on 25/04/2025 - 22:40
          +2

          It’s one year.

          • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:17

            @TheFreaK: Technically it's not a set 1 year either - under ACL it's a "reasonable amount of time" for the product that you bought. For electronics and other things like this, it's kind of "accepted" that 2 years is the minimum. This is the reason why Apple give us 2 years warranty instead of the 1 year almost everywhere else gets.

        • paulojr on 26/04/2025 - 15:42

          things do not fail just because their old. (except humans) there has to be wearing parts or parts with a service life (e.g. old plasma's certainly had a service life). My experience the build quality of the sony's use to be very good so in theory 6 years would be nothing for a Sony TV.

        • Miami Mall Alien on 28/04/2025 - 12:51
          -2

          TV’s were no better 12 years ago.

          Yeah, they were. I've got a Samsung 50" and Panasonic 55" plasma TV from 2008/2010 respectively that are still working just fine. Ask anyone who's still holding onto an old plasma TV or check the listings on FB/Gumtree, some of those things are going on 20 years now and still working.

          Meanwhile, I can't count how many stories I've heard of "smart" TVs, even very high-end ones (>$5,000), bricking themselves a few years after purchase. We had two top of the range Sony Bravias at an old workplace that cost close to $10K when they were new and needed to be repaired about 2-3 times each during their warranty period.

          Android-based smart TVs by and large are f**king garbage that I wouldn't touch with a 10ft pole.

      • 2025 on 26/04/2025 - 02:38
        +15

        VCAT in 2021 has a different view

        1. The television was seven years old at the time the power supply board was replaced. I am satisfied that the full operating life of a television of this sort is likely to be approximately ten years.

        How can anyone take consumer advice from DrPhil/HeWhoKnobs/AmazingOne seriously is beyond comprehension, a few months ago had this to say when a newish dishwasher damaged a kitchen:

        Dr Phil on 26/11/2024
        "It's not the manufacturer's liability to cover other items that may be affected"
        Exactly!

        Which happens to be the complete opposite of reality, and the outcome of this case where a product damaged the applicant’s home, and the consumer received a judgement in their favour for a payment of over $13,000 to repair the damage.

        • paulojr on 26/04/2025 - 15:45

          and its law that makes perfect sense too.. :)

        • eccaz on 28/04/2025 - 09:18
          +1

          But 6 years is apparently a long haul!

      • BillyG687 on 26/04/2025 - 09:35
        +4

        I'd argue that OP bought a premium brand (Sony), and also bought a OLED TV which was their most premium line at the time of purchase (compared to their LED TV's). So the implied quality and life of the product would have you thinking that as a TV it should last just as long as any other premium TV - which 6 years is completely reasonable.

        • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:24

          I'd argue that OP bought a premium brand (Sony)

          They didn't really pay a "premium" price though, which absolutely is part of the equation for the "reasonable lifetime" that ACL covers things for. 6 years out of a $2k tv is, personally, not long enough - but it can and would be argued that it is.

      • idonotknowwhy on 27/04/2025 - 12:18

        TVs made 12 years ago were of much better quality manufacture.

        They were saying that 12 years ago as well.

  • SYLTB on 23/04/2025 - 20:57
    +1

    bought a new LG OLED for a different room

    Just swap the TVs.

    • KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 20:58

      Yeh except now I kinda need the two TVs unlike before, although the issue is not really time pressing I can deal with having one TV for a while.

  • MS Paint on 23/04/2025 - 20:58
    +9

    Probably a $3 capacitor. Easy fix.

    • KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 20:59

      Source? Ive watched some videos and it looks like a bit more of a job then that.

      • MS Paint on 23/04/2025 - 21:31
        +23

        I fixed an LG TV that wouldn't turn on by replacing a swollen capacitor on the main board. It cost $3 from Jaycar.

        • dan2k on 24/04/2025 - 10:29
          +1

          me too! with a trusty Dick Smith Soldering Iron!

          • tenpercent on 24/04/2025 - 20:08
            +2

            @dan2k: Does Dick still sell his Soldering Iron?

            • cobknob on 25/04/2025 - 11:55
              +1

              @tenpercent: Solder balls sold separately - but use both together!

      • arkie0 on 24/04/2025 - 09:41
        +19

        Used to be a TV repair guy back in the day

        Start with Service Manual

        Do all the tests to help you determine what's wrong, but no power might be power supply.

        Lay TV flat
        Undo screens from back
        Take of back Panel
        Usually you will see 2-3 boards, motherboard is the biggest one, power supply would be where you plug in your power cable.

        At this point you can ebay second hand parts and just swap out the entire board / power supply which is what the Sony tech would do onsite, cost would be guessing around $200.

        Fixing the board itself, you need to know a bit more about electronics to continue unless as paint says it's an obvious capacitor.

        • Protractor on 24/04/2025 - 10:00
          +3

          Start with disclaimer, then life insurance.

          • tenpercent on 24/04/2025 - 20:11
            +10

            @Protractor: The following step was carelessly omitted by @arkie0 but I am providing it here for completeness.

            Step 1 of Fixing TVs for Dummies: Turn off the power point then using dry hands unplug the TV from the wall. Make sure not to put your fingers in the power socket. Zap bad.

            • 2025 on 25/04/2025 - 20:59
              +1

              @tenpercent: Step 5A - Drain the big scary capacitors on the power pcb with a pet cat, mother in law, or other conductive material before handling the power pcb to reduce the risk of shock to yourself. Zap bad.

      • cnut on 24/04/2025 - 10:51
        +3

        I swapped a capacitor out before that fixed an old LCD. Also worked on old GPUs when they still had easy to swap capacitors.

        Had bugger all experience. Just opened the thing up, saw that they looked stuffed and did a trip to Dick Smith for a soldering iron.

        I can’t vouch for more modern TVs though.

    • Cheap Gamer on 25/04/2025 - 18:01

      Replacing the mainboard or T-Con board is more expensive, but it's much easier than finding and replacing a bad cap.
      I'm assuming the model number is really KD-55A8F. Make sure to ask the seller if the board is compatible with your TV.

  • jv on 23/04/2025 - 21:14
    +18

    Can ACL Actually Help Me?

    Doubt it.

    After the operation, there'll be a lot of rehab.
    Takes about a year to get back to normal.

    • KingJuf on 23/04/2025 - 21:31

      Haha fair play!

  • joka on 23/04/2025 - 21:24
    +4

    Still not understanding what the anterior cruciate ligament has to do with your Sony TV.

    • jv on 23/04/2025 - 21:41
      +6

      Was watching footy when it happened ?

  • initiateit on 23/04/2025 - 21:40
    +3

    5 years for consumer electronics (esp OLED being so new) is on the pretty good to fair end of return of investment. One should expect 10 years for a TV, well thats been my experience anyway.

    Cant hurt to try, but its not going to be easy.

    • cnut on 24/04/2025 - 10:53
      +3

      I feel like 7 years is reasonable. It’s a shame it’s not a black and white thing for various categories of electronics.

      It’s more the environmental impact of people ditching 7 year old TVs that are fine, bar maybe a blown capacitor or something.

      • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:26

        Yeah I do wish the ACLs would provide some sort of guidance for regular categories of products, by price point. You wouldn't really expect a $300 TV to last 5 years, but a $3000 one you definitely would.

    • Nickels n Dimes on 24/04/2025 - 22:32

      Unless you paid top dollar for a super high quality model, eg. $20-50l for a TV, you can reasonably argue, can be expected to last several times longer than a more typically priced $1-2k TV.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2025 - 01:03
        +4

        The RRP for this TV was $3599. OP should concentrate on that not the discounted price they paid.

        These Sony OLED TVs were LG panels with in house calibration, priced higher than the LG equivalent. This is a top dollar television

        • Nebargains on 27/04/2025 - 06:32
          -2

          Top dollar doesn't mean top quality. In this case I would say it is top dollar for new technology. Obviously OLED has been around a while but it was just starting to really surge in popularity for TVs int he late 2010s. My current TV is not OLED and I got that in 2017, maybe 2018 I actually cant remember, but at the time the biggest OLED you could get was 55" and you were basically limited to LG and they cost way more than any other TV, like double the price. Since then other brands have somewhat adopted that.

          In any case I reckon 7 years or there abouts is a pretty good run for a TV.

        • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:28

          OP should concentrate on that not the discounted price they paid.

          What OP paid for it is more relevant than the RRP though. He can't say it was a $3600 TV so should last longer than a $2000 TV, when he only paid $2000.

          • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2025 - 18:17

            @MrFunSocks: So your argument is a discounted TV should have a shorter warranty

            • MrFunSocks on 29/04/2025 - 16:42
              +1

              @[Deactivated]: Price plays a part in how long is "reasonable" for it to last, correct.

              • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2025 - 16:46

                @MrFunSocks: If you buy an expensive item at a discount it does not have a shorter lifespan than if you paid full price. It is still a new TV.

                The RRP reflects the price point the item was manufactured to. What personal discount you managed to receive is not even relevant to a discussion about quality

  • Wiadro on 23/04/2025 - 22:15
    -7

    5 years is max

    • eccaz on 23/04/2025 - 22:55
      +5

      For what? A marriage?

      • Nugs on 24/04/2025 - 07:30
        +1

        Chilli bush
        .

  • dr on 23/04/2025 - 23:15
    +12

    I'll bite and play the devil's advocate for Sony.
    You had an OLED for less than $1 per day, which is reasonable given the cost of living, inflation and increasing tarrifs. I think that lifetime of 2200 days is commensurate with the $1999 price of the goods and that ACL should reject your case.

      • zonra on 24/04/2025 - 00:17
        +3

        OLED though?

          • zonra on 24/04/2025 - 01:07
            +13

            @KingJuf: OLED tech was never about panels lasting longer though, and I'm sure you know this.
            I'll pose the question this way: Would you have preferred watching on a new $330 55" TV each year over 6 years, or that one OLED set you've had over the same period?
            It's like saying you're disappointed a $100 restaurant meal didn't last as long as $100 worth of instant noodles you could have bought.
            And I'm not dismissing your OP's concern about a TV lasting "only" 6 years (personally I think it's debatable depending on how many hours it's been on everyday), it's more the fact that you're comparing a semi-premium product to bargain bin stuff. I haven't searched hard enough but $330 sounds like a stretch for 55" TVs.

            • TightAl on 25/04/2025 - 10:43
              +3

              @zonra: OP clutching at straws, seeking moral support from the collective on his quest for a free TV.

            • cille745 on 25/04/2025 - 12:25

              @zonra: Both are TV's advertised for the same purpose - watching things.

              Unless advertised otherwise, is is perfectly acceptable to expect an OLED to last 2-3x as long as a cheaper TV. If you want this not to be the case, brands need to advertise OLED correctly as a limited use item (which they don't - and they are) so no sympathy here.

            • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:33

              @zonra:

              OLED tech was never about panels lasting longer though, and I'm sure you know this.

              Quite the opposite actually - OLED panels were KNOWN to last significantly shorter time than LCDs. My beloved LG B7 (7 i think? Maybe a 6, i should find out) was travelling amazingly well until maybe a year ago, at which time it got some minor enough "burn in" (i know it's not burn in, more like burn out, but for easy understanding) after literally thousands of hours, the majority of which was on a single Xbox game - the burn in was of static screen elements. In the months since that initial burn in, it has deteriorated insanely quickly and now has it in many large parts of the screen.

              I love OLEDs, but with their issues with VRR and brightness I went with a much bigger and much cheaper equivalent in every other spec LCD and relegated the OLED to the kids youtube/fta tv.

              edit: googling the release date of the B7, i might have to go back and find exactly when I bought it and maybe try get it fixed under ACL. It wasn't cheap.

          • cnut on 24/04/2025 - 10:56
            +2

            @KingJuf: Sony TVs are honestly not that much better than other manufacturers in many ways. They rely a bit on their brand.

            I had 4 during my time, and 2 had a fair bit of the dirty screen effect, and one made a clicking noise out of warranty, but still worked so I never bothered to fix it.

            But I do agree, they’re on the top end of TVs in terms of cost, so you’d expect better reliability.

            • KingJuf on 24/04/2025 - 11:03
              -2

              @cnut: Yeah hence I chose LG this time round prior to my Sony OLED failing. The equivalent Sony would be 1k more in price.

            • MrFunSocks on 28/04/2025 - 16:34

              @cnut: Yeah if Sony products didn't have the sony brand name they'd have gone out of business by now. Almost all of their products are significantly overpriced for often worse specs/performance, but they have a loyal following who think they are an ultra premium brand.

          • Speckled Jim on 24/04/2025 - 20:45
            +1

            @KingJuf: "The light that shines twice as bright burns half as long"
            -Some Guy. Always wore a shirt

          • DangerNoodle on 25/04/2025 - 17:34

            @KingJuf: OLED lasts fine, but components aside from the panel itself can still fail.

            I have a 2016 LG OLED 55B6 that is still running with no burn in. There is the occasional image retention, but it clears on its own with no issues. As long as you're not pausing on full brightness with a full brightness image, they last a lot longer than you would expect.

            • bbinc on 19/05/2025 - 09:19

              @DangerNoodle: There is also a setting that shifts pixels to avoid burn it. It’s under Oled settings. Google settings for your model number.

              • DangerNoodle on 19/05/2025 - 19:38

                @bbinc: I have seen the pixel shift but doesn't really do much, most of the time shifting the image a few pixels (it's like 2 pixels on my 42c2 when connected to my PC) will still light up the same so it's not as useful as the pixel refresh/clear feature. Most of the time I try to avoid pausing things so there's no static images, and I don't watch live tv much so low risk of banner/logo burn in.

      • dr on 24/04/2025 - 19:25

        True, but how many soy-macha-latte-with-almond milk?

    • cille745 on 24/04/2025 - 17:09
      +5

      Good thing that there's precedent that means you're wrong

      https://www7.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCA…

      8 years according to Panasonic v Peters, and that's for a cheaper TV

      • gromit on 25/04/2025 - 09:19
        +4

        why would anything there represent precedent
        a) that was about a TV that only lasted 2.5 years.
        b) It was a completely different technology
        b) It was more than a decade ago and it wasn't the court that made that determination it was agreement between Panasonic and Peters.

        • cille745 on 25/04/2025 - 12:28

          a) Fair - but it's not about the TV that failed
          b) Irrelevant - Same usage and same purpose - Manufactuers make no claims that OLED doesn't last as long as LCD's, so perfectly acceptable to hold them to the same standards.
          c) True - but with most of this ACL stuff you're dealing with the manufacturer directly outside of court - 7 years is what they already agree is an expected lifetime

        • 2025 on 25/04/2025 - 20:39
          +1

          VCAT in 2021 has this to say:

          1. The television was seven years old at the time the power supply board was replaced. I am satisfied that the full operating life of a television of this sort is likely to be approximately ten years.

          The consumer did fail to prove his TV wasn’t of acceptable quality though, so if OP decides to go down the DIY route to repair and then seek a remedy, it’s probably not the best idea.

      • BillyG687 on 26/04/2025 - 09:40

        Thanks for sharing that, that's actually pretty rare to have a good ACL precedent. Many others are getting caught up in details that are ultimately irrelevant to an ACL claim.

    • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 09:38
      -5

      I don't understand the post as well, maybe its us.
      The TV has stated warranty period, which was made clear at point of sale.
      Why are people expecting the vendor to cover repair cost beyond that.
      If buyers expect unlimited warranty, I doubt $1999 would be the pricing point

      • cille745 on 25/04/2025 - 09:59
        +1

        This isn’t America, goods here actually have to last for their intended lifespan. It’s not unlimited

        • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 10:19
          +1

          Whats the purpose of the "warranty period" if thats the case?

          • cille745 on 25/04/2025 - 10:28
            +2

            @Gongxifachai: A lowest possible period nominated by the manufacturer that doesn’t stop people from buying the product. Doesn’t mean anything here in Australia thankfully

            • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 12:17
              +2

              @cille745: Frankly, makes no sense to me.

              We either (1) get rid of the warranty period, be clear that all manufacturers are obliged to cover repair cost up till a so-called intended lifespan, and let all vendors price that their product with that understanding or (2) accept the intended meaning of a warranty period.

              • cille745 on 25/04/2025 - 12:36
                +2

                @Gongxifachai: The warranty period is simply a marketing tool - has zero bearings on your actual rights. The 'meaning' of a warranty period is simply - this is the minimum amount of time we need to guarantee the quality of the item for someone to think it will last.

                It would be very difficult to do this item by item - but companies generally have an idea - plenty of LG OLED's being replaced at the 5 year mark as they should be

                • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 13:12
                  +2

                  @cille745: For me, this is saying, "You said you're covering me for 5yrs, but I think it should be entitled to 8yrs so I am going to hold you to a higher standard".

                  It is really very messy - I get it that consumers have rights, but rights are not free.

                  In this case, I am assuming that the rights that was priced into the product has lapsed. We should respect that. And if most consumers don't like that and start moving away from certain brands, it is up to a business / brand to readjust. It is a free market.

                  That is also why (based on my recent experience) that when you buy electrical products these days, you are offered 3rd party insurance that covers you after the manufacturer warranty period ends. Going by the logic of "intended lifespan", those insurance products should not even be offered.

                  To cut short, rights are not free. It is paid as a top up or priced into the product (and expressed as longer warranty period) but any sort of comingling makes it really messy and blurred.

                  • 2025 on 25/04/2025 - 14:06
                    +1

                    @Gongxifachai: From the ACCC

                    Common statements that may be misleading

                    Here are some statements to watch out for, and an explanation of what consumers’ rights are.

                    Your product is out of warranty, so we can only repair it for a fee.

                    This isn’t right. Consumer guarantees are automatic and are separate from any voluntary warranty, manufacturer’s warranty, or extended warranty. Consumer rights can last longer than warranty rights, and you can ask for a repair, refund or replacement after the warranty has expired.

                    When you say

                    those insurance products should not even be offered.

                    That is a somewhat accurate summary, and there are currently court cases against Harvey Norman and JB Hifi for these.

                    I agree with you that the rights are somewhat baked into the price, after all the ACCC make it clear that a cheap toaster is not expected to last as long as an expensive toaster.

                    I personally think of the manufacturers warranty and these extra warranties as a “pledge” that they will not resist consumer guarantees during the warranty period. Beyond the warranty, they will probably fight, even if it’s clear that you’re entitled to a remedy.

                    In OPs situation however, personally I feel that 6 years from a $2000 55” TV is borderline, and I wouldn’t fight for a remedy. I have challenged numerous retailers and manufacturers in the past and succeeded with out of warranty repairs and refunds, but I like to pick my battles carefully.

                    • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 19:00

                      @2025: All I am saying is, where it says "consumer rights can last longer", what does it actually mean?
                      If there is an implicit expectation then it should be spelt out clearly, not left up to interpretation.
                      In this instance, if we now expect TV to have min life of 8yrs, then spell it out to make it workable.
                      Without that, its like oh yeah its out of warranty, but oh yeah I still have my consumer rights, but hang on what is it exactly?
                      Exactly like what you have above, you believe that 6yrs is borderline but the manufacturer agreed to cover [2yrs] vs a legacy ACL case says 8yrs.
                      It creates uncertainty for both the consumer and the manufacturer.
                      Make it a specification, manufacturers make products based on that spec and consumers purchase based on that same spec.

                      Its not difficult to make things clear. In this case, putting aside the "manual override" by ACL, OP bought a TV which the manufacturer promised to cover cost within [2yrs].

                      • 2025 on 25/04/2025 - 19:35
                        +1

                        @Gongxifachai: Yeah it is not black and white, a number of our laws are like that.

                        Just thought I’d mention that case, it says that Panasonic and Peters agreed that it was 8 years - it gives us no detail if the tribunal prescribed that length, or if it was offered by either party. It remains unclear if it was the tribunal decision, or if it merely accepted the agreement from both parties.

                        In a more recent case, the tribunal concludes that 10 years is reasonable for a Samsung TV

                        https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VCAT…

                        That case is interesting though, the consumer failed to convince the tribunal that the TV wasn’t of acceptable quality. Having the power board replaced a year or two earlier by his son and not keeping the original appears to have harmed his case.

                        My position is that 2,000 for a 55” TV is middle of the range, so we can expect middle of the range longevity.

                        However, after some research, the RRP of this TV back then was $3999. This moves it into the the same price point as LGs C8, which isn’t the bottom of the line model.

                        I know LG Australia have been known to provide out of warranty repairs on their high end OLEDs free of charge.

                        I also know of Sony’s continued hesitation to comply with ACL, infact this was the primary purchasing decision of mine a few years ago between an LG OLED and Sony’s. They are the same LG panel inside after all. Suffice to say, I have the LG.

              • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2025 - 01:10

                @Gongxifachai: Manufacturers prefer to offer only 1 year warranty on all products, to keep their costs down (the legal minimum) . Where there is a lot of competition you might see a 3 year warranty. However it has no connection with the reasonable lifespan of a product and it shouldn't be up to the industry to simply decide electronic goods don't need a reasonable warranty period.

      • BargainMe on 25/04/2025 - 18:37
        +1

        You're a manufacturers dream customer since you don't know your consumer rights.

        • Gongxifachai on 25/04/2025 - 18:54

          Think reciprocal - while I acknowledge there are manufacturers out there doing dodgy stuff, you've gotta be reasonable,

          Lets say you manufacture something, anything… and based on the parts that you use you estimate it would be reasonable to expect 3yrs out of it.
          Your selling price will be based on those parts, with those quality

          Then someone comes along 6yrs later and say that I am entitled to a refund because your product is broken.
          Are you sure you are happy to unconditionally fix the product or refund

          As I said, you can cry about your rights, but it is not free.

  • solidussnake on 24/04/2025 - 05:57
    +9

    $2k for six years life out of a TV is pretty impressive i think you'll struggle winning.. please keep us updated !

  • geekcohen on 24/04/2025 - 06:06
    +1

    Is this 5 years for a TV that has been used every day? Or is it 5 years of just being used on the weekends to watch the Footy?

    Also, did you maybe experience a power surged and its killed it that way? Was it protected by some sort of surge protector?

    Electronics can be very hit and miss unfortunately with various conditions and parts that heat up and then cool off. I have a Soniq TV that is still going after 8 years and it's used daily. But another Soniq TV I had running 24/7 only last 4 years. I have a TV from my Grandparents used in the Garage that would be probably 15 years old, its heavy, doesn't have a SD/HD TV Tuner but has 1 HDMI, I just use it for steaming foxtel via a PC in the garage over the weekends. One day, it'll die, but when? That you can sometimes never tell.

    5 Years from a $2k investment is $200 a year, which really isn't bad. That is 50 cents a day, people spend more on a Coffee!

    • Nugs on 24/04/2025 - 07:33
      +7

      "5 Years from a $2k investment is $200 a year"
      Seems I've been doing maths wrong if that's the case
      .

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