Please do not get screwed by the Vivitek crooks like I was!
4/18/06 rec'd 56" vivitek micro chip display projection tv ordered via 'shopnbc' channel. Model #: RP56H22-A. $200 rebate form & invoice were not included in box. Fought w/shopnbc to get rebate form.
5/1/06 rec'd form from vivitek, already expired.
5/2/06 i paid $20 to overnight the expired form to vivitek asking they honor the rebate, since they sent the form late. 8/26/06 finally rec'd rebate.
12/30/06, the tv starting shutting off and turning back on by itself constantly that night. It would not stop. Unplugged it that night. Next day, plugged it in, doing same thing. Tried calling vivitek at 510-651-0881.
Unprofessional vml greeting doesn't even give a company name. Advises caller to leave a msg for a call in 48 hrs. Didn't leave a msg then because i figured they're closed for new year's eve anyway, would try again on 1/2. Decided to try their website from the owner's manual: www.vivitek.Us. Shocked to find out it no longer exists.
Called shopnbc cust service to get new vivitek website.
Advised 'i don't know what to tell you'. Said they had no idea why the site was no longer available & they had no way to find out new one. I adv Jim Peterson (i think that's the right last name) from Vivitek was on the shopnbc channel selling more vivitek tvs as we were speaking, so surely it was possible that someone could find out new website from him & post the answer on shopnbc FAQ. Was not responsive to that idea. Says they might now be owned by gemstar but has no info on them.
She did give me a toll free # for vivitek: 877-603-3582. Tried that, same bad msg w/no company name advising leave vml for return call in 48 hrs, so not sure i'm calling right place. Per the owner's manual, if the tv goes off & on it's probably a burnt out lamp.
Checked lamp. Has a cloudy spot on it. Vivitek ppwk claims this is a '10,000 hour lamp'. I was out of state for 4 months over the summer and have only used the tv for about 4 months total since rec'd. Even if i ran the tv 24 hours a day for 4 months, which we didn't, that's less than 3,000 hours. Something is very wrong. Decided to check internet to buy a lamp. The philips lamp #101280535 does not exist. I even called philips & they confirmed they have no record of lamp # & recommend i pursue w/vivitek. Maybe because tv is made in mexico the lamp # isn't valid in us? Found bulbs that look similar ranging between $300 - 700.
Also tried every tv repair shop in my area. No one could id the bulb #. After going thru the shopnbc documents that i have, it says i have a '1 year in-home warranty' so i should not be responsible for the bulb replacement. Does 'in-home' mean they send someone to my house? I had guests coming new year's eve for a movie party which ended up cancelled due to the dead tv. Also, did a google search on 'vivitek' & was extremely dismayed to find dozens of complaints about the tv, invalid lamp #, bad hardware & picture quality, rebate issues & especially the practically non-existent customer service. Saw a note indicating they may be owned by delta corp. What is the real company name: vivitek, gemstar, delta corp, etc? Please try the google search. It's shocking. Big Screen Forum & HSN have numerous horror stories from people who now own a $2,200 'dust collector' that doesn't work at all. I am a 'little guy' who can't afford to throw away that much money.
1/2/07 i left a vml at 7:30 EST on 877# with my cell #. I have had it on my side ever since, so i would not miss the call. 1/3/07 7:30 pm EST did not get a call after 2 full business days. Filed complaint with CA BBB. I even tried contacting shopnbc's parent nbc's website but they won't take emails.
1/6/07 emld my story to [email protected]. She's going to her state's atty genl on monday. Atty asking for as many stories as possible. Also, got a reply email from shopnbc asking for my order number (duh, they have it in their records) so they can do more research. Sent them another scathing email for their participation in this fraud and cavlier disregard for customers.
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