We spent over $6000 on 3 Vizio TV's and all 3 had the same issue, amazingly right after the original warranty expired.
First was a 55" purchased about 6 years ago.into the 3rd year, we heard a loud popping sound and TV went completely out. I don't remember what the repair cost would be at that time, but do remember we felt it best to just get a new TV.
We again purchased a Vizio (47") and a 32" a couple months later.
Just over 2 years the 32" went out. No picture and no sound. A couple months later the 47" went out.
Now I started to get suspicious.
I first tried emailing and then calling Vizio which was no help at all. They suggested I buy yet another new TV.
I then called Costco. They supposedly have "real" techs ready to help and assists. Yeah right! The Costco "tech" I spoke with had me do a couple things and then said. "let me forward you
to Vizio" - Oh great... I know where this is going.
So a Vizio "tech" gets on the phone and does no troubleshooting at all. He simply tells me they
have a "flat rate" charge of $350.
Are they kidding me? I can go buy a new 47" for around $500 now.
Needless to say, I really had my doubts about all this since 3 TV's went out on my within a 6 year period... All Vizio's and all right after the warranty expired. Something is fishy here.
So I spent hours researching this on the net, and lo and behold, I start to find literally 100's if not 1,000's of issues the same as mine.
One thing I notice is many of these "same kind of" complaints mention a fuse issue that causes this. SO I figure what the heck, I have noting to lose. I remove the back on the 47" and fine the F1, F2, F3 fuses. I test them all with an meter, and guess what. The F3 fuse is blown, which BTW is a very small fuse soldered onto the main board in the upper right hand corner.
Again I figure I have nothing to lose, so I go get an inline fuse holder and a 1.5A fuse. I solder the
inline fuse holder to the (very small) fuse on the board. I attach the fuse, plug the TV in and TV works like a charm.
Total cost to repair this was under $5... On a repair Vizio wanted to charge me $350 for.
What's upsetting about all this is that the F3 fuse issue has been a problem for a long time, and you better believe Visio knows about this. So it's obviously a SCAM. Just a way to add to their bottom line
If you're thinking about buying a new TV, BEWARE. Vizio may be cheaper initially but in the long run you will pay. I suggest paying a little more and get a more reliable TV from a company that cares!
BTW I emailed Vizio back twice about the F3 issue and no one ever emailed back.
What a pathetic excuse for a company.
Don't let some of these other positive reviews fool you. Do a "complete" research on this company before you decide to buy any product from them.
0 comments