Dark smudges that won't go away.

by mknlb50 Nov 7, 2012 4:34AM PST

Hi, I have had this issue ever since I first bought this TV last year (Nov 25th, 2011). I was hoping that it would go away but apparently it's just getting worse after time. So, I called Samsung up and this is how it went:

(October 24th 2012) The first service center (Hi Def Doctor) representative came over to see my problem, he told me that he was going to order in the new panel. 2 weeks later, repair ticket was cancelled without any notice and Hi Def Doc failed to pick up phone calls whenever I called throughout the whole week.

Okay.

(Nov 6th, 2012)Called Samsung up to switch my service center to USSI. USSI called, told me to e-mail the problem. I did. Now they're saying today (Nov 7th, 2012) they can't help me with this, I need to call Samsung.

Okay.

I called Samsung today (Nov 7th 2012), now they're telling me that this dark smudge is "image retention" and is not covered by the warranty. Which is absolutely not true. Dark smudge is not created by the same way an image retention is created. At this point, it's obvious that Samsung is just trying to save the cost by dragging this thing long enough until my warranty expires.

What else can I do?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -

Re: Dark smudges that won't go away

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 7, 2012 4:50AM PST

Hi mknlb50,

I apologize for your experience thus far. If you could post your transaction number, I'd like to see if we can investigate this issue for you.

Regards,
HD Tech

- Collapse -

Repair ticket numbers

by mknlb50 Nov 7, 2012 4:52AM PST

The first repair ticket # with Hi-Def Doctor is 4116712748
The second repair ticket # with USSI is 4116851366

- Collapse -

Re: Repair ticket numbers

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 7, 2012 5:31AM PST

Hi mknlb50,

I checked those tickets, and I see that you're currently set up for a service center to come out and inspect your unit. So the service center should be contacting you within a few days.

HD Tech

- Collapse -

serv

by mknlb50 Nov 7, 2012 5:35AM PST

Which service center?

- Collapse -

Re: Repair ticket numbers

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 7, 2012 5:37AM PST

Hi mknlb50,

I understand it's supposed to be USSI based upon the information I saw.

HD Tech

- Collapse -

Re: Repair ticket numbers

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 7, 2012 5:42AM PST

Pardon me. I checked my information again because I was making some notes about this issue, and I saw it's been put in service dispatch, which means it's not assigned to a particular service center right now, but they're actively looking for one to assign your issue to.

HD Tech

- Collapse -

ticket number

by mknlb50 Nov 8, 2012 3:52AM PST

And what is the ticket number for that?

- Collapse -

More info. on dark smudges

by mknlb50 Nov 7, 2012 4:50AM PST

The bright "clouds" on dark screens and dark "smudges" on light screens are caused by uneven thickness of the actual panel surface. Its a manufacturing problem. The smallest change in thickness in either direction will cause the screen to appear darker or lighter in that spot.

- Collapse -

Update: (11-13-2012)

by mknlb50 Nov 13, 2012 7:23AM PST

Update: (11-13-2012) Still haven't gotten my tv serviced.

- Collapse -

Re: Update

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 14, 2012 1:30AM PST

Hi mknlb50, I'll be tracking the progress with the repair company. Thanks for the update. -- HD Tech

- Collapse -

Poor Service

by mknlb50 Nov 21, 2012 12:27AM PST

Exchange request was rejected and my TV still hasn't been fixed yet after 1 month of all this.

- Collapse -

Question

by Pepe7 Nov 21, 2012 12:42AM PST

Where did you first hear/read of the 'dark clouds/smudges' manufacturing/panel defect? That particular problem is unknown to me. Just curious.

Hopefully they can still fix your HDTV.

- Collapse -

avsforum

by mknlb50 Nov 21, 2012 3:07AM PST

avsforum. From what I've read, it's pretty common among edge lit led tvs. It's just damn funny when they tried to make it sound like it's my fault when it's a manufacturing issue.

- Collapse -

Would you mind sharing a link to a thread there?

by Pepe7 Nov 21, 2012 3:46AM PST

I need to share it with someone this weekend who's HDTV shopping. They somehow got it into their thick skull that LED technology is 'bulletproof' <ahem>.

Thanks,
P

- Collapse -

Shameful

by mknlb50 Nov 21, 2012 8:23PM PST

Just google "Samsung LED Clouding" Mine is produced by the same manufacturing mechanism just on the opposite end. You'll be surprised just how common this issue is.

- Collapse -

dark spots

by mknlb50 Nov 21, 2012 8:28PM PST

Also, on the other end of this clouding spectrum:

https://www.google.com/search?q=clouding+samsung&rlz=1C1CHMO_enUS506US506&oq=clouding+samsung&aqs=chrome.0.57j60l3j59l2.1922&sugexp=chrome,mod=2&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C1CHMO_enUS506US506&q=+site:forums.cnet.com+black+marks+samsung&sa=X&ei=HRquUMjLEfGu2gWiGw&ved=0CDcQrQIwAA&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=87ce17bb4aae0186&bpcl=38897761&biw=1082&bih=689

- Collapse -

November 26th, 2012

by mknlb50 Nov 26, 2012 4:27AM PST

November 26th, 2012. Still hasn't been fixed.

- Collapse -

November 28th, 2012

by mknlb50 Nov 28, 2012 10:54AM PST

November 28th, 2012. Still not fixed.

- Collapse -

WARNING

by mknlb50 Nov 28, 2012 11:00AM PST

WARNING TO THOSE WHO BUY SAMSUNG TVS IN NORTHERN FLORIDA REGION.

Samsung chose a service center (High Def Doctor) that employees 1 secretary and 1 technician for our whole region. You will be VERY lucky if you get serviced. Also, the so-called executives of customer service don't know what to do either. And they refuse to transfer me to someone who can actually be of real help.

I will post on here daily to update the status of this repair just for record.

- Collapse -

Status of the refund

by mknlb50 Nov 28, 2012 11:11AM PST

I also opened a ticket for a refund with another customer rep after Rosa (another customer rep) hastily put in a ticket for an exchange. I do not want to have anything to do with Samsung anymore in the near future. I will check for the status of my refund ticket tomorrow and report back.

- Collapse -

Re: Status of the refund

by Samsung_HD_Tech Samsung staff Nov 28, 2012 11:34PM PST

Hi mknlb50,

I've responded to your complaint by email. Please check that for more information.

HD Tech

Dark smudges that won't go away.

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info