What to do before calling for tv repair?

Somehow someone landed at our site as a result of asking a searching engine this very question.

I did a google search myself and found this article. While generally agreeing with what it says I couldn't help but notice that I'd give rather different answer to the question, so I decided to post this article.

Here's what I'd suggest you do:

1) Unplug the TV from the AC power, hold on like that for 3-4 minutes, then try plugging it back again to see if it makes any difference.

2) Go behind the TV and look for the unit's manufacturing details label. What you need to find above everything else is the model of your TV.

It's an alpha-numerical combination usually following the word "MODEL" on the label and sometimes after it.

The make and the model of the TV are the two most important pieces of information that every repair technician should ask first when getting a new call.

The first two digits often (but not always) indicate the TV's display size, e.g. 42PC3D indicates a 42'' TV.
When first characters of the model are letters they often abbreviate popular things like the technology or particular series of the TVs made by this manufacturer. For example HP's PL5060N refers to PL[asma] 50 inch display.

3) Do a quick search on www.walmart.com, www.costco.com, www.frys.com, www.bestbuy.com and whatever other large store you may have nearby and like, to check how much would it cost to buy a brand new TV of the same display size.

In today's market TV prices have dropped so much compared to 3-4 years ago that many people don't realize they are being charged for service what it would cost to buy a new TV!

So before calling anyone, find out what's your practical target for repair expenses.

My personal rule of thumb is that no repair should cost more than half of what you can buy a new TV for.

Your mileage may vary.

4) Try to describe the problem you're having with one sentence , e.g. "sound but no picture" or "bad picture" or "cracked screen".
(if it's a cracked screen then don't even try to spend more time - it's pointless!)


5) Google for the TV model you've found out and your description, e.g. "HP Pl5060N sound but no picture"


Take 5 minutes of your time and see if others have hit the same problem and if it sounds like they have, then what solution did they find.


It's five minutes that can save you 5 days and a few hundred dollars, so take them!


However, be careful to avoid the trap of assuming that if someone else had the same problems that you have then your TV will absolutely have the same problem and the same solution!

If many people had the same problem and many people confirm that the same solution worked for them then you've likely found your problem and likely your solution.


All too often, however, people stop reading at the first description that sounds like theirs and assume they already know the problem.


That's wrong!


First because whatever you read may simply be another assumptions; Internet is full with well-meant people (as well as self-promoting people) who give free advices on anything, even if it is not correct.

So the fact that one person says your problem is caused by a bad power board does not automatically mean that you have a bad power board!


6) Before sending TV for repair (or before going to a service technician) try to research them.
Internet makes it very easy to find information on people and businesses.

Search for the business on both Google and Yahoo and see if there are reviews from local users for that business.

See if the business is present somewhere online (e.g. on Amazon, eBay or other prominent and independent website) and see what other users say for that business.


The more you know about who you're dealing with the easier you can transfer them ownership of the problem.


7) If all of the above sounds too complex just open your local Yellow Pages and call the first company advertising there.

You'll probably be paying at least twice on what you could otherwise do, but if that doesn't bother you you'll definitely save yourself time and effort.