In Sept.'06 I too purchased a 51" Vivitek from ShopNBC. I believed that a company representing the NBC network would be as trustworthy as could be, but to my dismay, ShopNBC are as crooked as a dogs leg. I have never been lied to or as deceived by any company in my life to the degree that Vivitek and ShopNBC have done.
When I ordered this set on 9/3/06, I was told that it would be delivered in 7-10 days. After 2 week went by I called ShopNBC and was told that 3rd party are handling the shipping and that I would be receiving it by the 18th. That day came and went. I called again and acquired the name and # to shipping company Home Direct.
They told me that another company was doing the actual shipping. I got their # Sunshine Delivery. Called that company and they said that it was sitting on their shipping dock in Ohio. I asked when it was going to be shipped and they didn't have an answer but guessed within 2 weeks.
Another week went by, no word. I started getting a bad feeling about the whole thing and decided to cancel the order. I called ShopNBC and tried to cancel the order and was told that I couldn't. I called Home Direct and was told the same thing even though the thing was still on the shipping dock. I ended up getting the thing 9/29.
On the ShopNBC sales pitch for the TV, there was never any mention of all the extras you will need to actually receive a HD picture. They made it sound like all you had to do is plug it in and turn it on and presto!
By the time I was actually able to get this thing set up and running, it was 10/6. Within 2 weeks it developed a large dark gray arched banding in the upper right corner of the screen extending out about 10 inches.
I called ShopNBC to report the problem and was told that I had to contact Vivitek for warranty service. ShopNBC's website sales page for this TV said the TV came with a one year in-home warranty with no mention whatsoever that the warranty was a manufacturers warranty. That is pure consumer fraud and deception in my opinion.
I obtained Vivitek's phone number and called them. After going through their trouble shooting list it was decided that the whole DLP engine and processor would have to be replaced. I was told that the parts would be shipped within 7-10 days. 2 weeks went by and nothing.
I called them again, and was told that the company that does the service work, Integrated Automation International in Las Vegas, handles their service work and that the parts were most likely backordered.
I obtained IAI's phone number and called them. The person I talked to said they had all the parts but had not received a repair order from Vivitek.
I called Vivitek right back and after the customary 20 minute hold time was told that the service order had been placed but he would place it again. I requested that he email me to confirm the order placement and was told that there was a company policy that no one can email customers.
It's now 2/18/07 and have still had not been contacted despite dozens of attempts to contact ShopNBC, Vivitek and IAI.
I've left a lot out of this post about all that I really have done to resolve this situation. Vivitek and IAI websites look like an 8th grader concocted them and are of no use whatsoever.in January '07 Viviteks' website was taken down. It was reposted as of this report. I really think that we all need to band together and initiate a class action lawsuit against these, in my opinion, crooks.
If we were buying from EBay or craigslist I'd say that the rules of "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) would apply, but not when you are buying from what should be a reputable business.
I encourage everyone that has had to deal with these companies with unfavorable results, to file a report here on consumer complaints, file complaints with their states' Attorney General, file a consumer fraud complaint with the US Attorney General and Postmaster General, file complaints with the Better Business Bureau
Miffed in WA
Everett, Washington
U.S.A.
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