[MarkMu]

I ordered a Panasonic 50" plasma from TV Authority mid-September. They did not have the best price for me, but since they were sponsor of this site I gave them my business (after negotiating them within $75 of that other price). Long story short, after numerous contacts with the salesperson over three weeks I still did not have a shipping number for the unit despite having been promised that it was in stock at the time of order and would ship in their normal time. I was lied to again and again.

Bought from another online retailer for the same delivered price (prices had fallen in the 30 calendar days of my TV Authority fiasco) and had the unit in 5 business days following my order. Great service! Couldn't be happier with their service or shipping (box was totally mint and the driver was a nice guy).

Beware of TV Authority. Even at the time of my cancellation they were still showing the unit in stock on their website and promised shipment within a week.

MarkG

[Gregg Loewen]

dude, this is so uncool....but it coincides with your post count and your signature.

[BrianTwig]

If it is true, I don't find it uncool. If its a lie, then TV Authority is owed a big apology, and the poster needs to be banned.

[BrianTwig]

Maybe Tico will stop in to settle this matter.

[Jim Mcc]

What's uncool? Are you saying Mark's lying? He can't complain about a "forum sponsor?".

[MarkMu]

None of my post is false. In fact, I was quite kind by leaving out some of the details. I apologize, Gregg, if my low post count is some indication of a lack of character. My old username was yukiginger, if that helps, but I have been very busy lately and I visit the forum less and less. I will say that I contacted my sales rep. three or four times by email and by phone and was given the same story each time - that he would look into it and get right back to me. TV Authority charged my credit card for the order the day it was placed. Almost 30 calendar days later and no shipment date or ETA, and you think it's unfair that I make such a post?! Come on! I am just trying to inform fellow forum members of how my order was treated.

I did contact Tico, as I saw him posting on this site, and he told me that he contacted my salesguy, who should be able to help me. When I last contacted the sales rep. and he still could not give me any idea when the TV would ship I told him I wanted to cancel. No apology at all from him, he just said that he would transfer me to customer service where someone would help me.

This was by far my biggest electronic purchase ever and my first HD device. I simply had high hopes for its arrival, but such a delay really disappointed me. I did end up with the same unit and I am quite happy with it. I just expect better customer service than I received from a forum sponsor. Simple honesty would have been great.

I do appreciate you letting this post appear somewhere, although that is what this feedback section is for, isn't it?

MarkG

[Bob_L]

I think Mark's post was reasonable and not at all 'uncool.'

A number of people, posting on AVS, have purchased from TV Authority and are very satisfied. Based on that I referred a friend to them. IMO they didn't treat him well but I don't intend to get into the 'uncool' details.

That's only two cases (against the many more positive posts on AVS); but it means Mark isn't alone.

[Steve_Pannell]

I've been following this thread since it was started and hesitated to post my own experience with TVA until now. Usually when I get less than satisfactory service I just chalk it up to experience and move on.

When I bought my Samsung HL-S4666W from TVA there were a few things that made me wary of them.

First, they charged my credit card when the order was processed - not when it shipped.

Their website said that they had 100+ in stock but it didn't ship for 2 - 3 weeks.

I had to call several times to get a status report (after waiting a reasonable amount of time). I was told that I would have it on a specific date and it was about 2 weeks late. I was finally given a tracking number - it was wrong and I had to call again for the correct one.

After the TV was finally shipped I called the shipping company to find out what time of day they would deliver (not the exact hour, just morning or afternoon). They told me morning. I waited all day and they finally showed up at 7:00 PM. I know that may not be TVA's fault directly but they chose the shipping company so some of the responsibility is theirs.

I am very satisfied with the price I paid and the TV is excellent but as for myself I probably will not shop at TVA again just because of the uncertainty factor. I can't tell people not shop with them but they should be aware of any problems that might arise.

[Rolando]

I find this thread very informative and not "uncool" at all. Specialy since it was written quite maturely. This is not your typical "HEY! "Retailer X" SUX, don't buy from them!".

Does this mean TVA is bad company? Of course not, heck this thread is comforting for some. It means TVA is a big gun. No company is perfect and the bigger you get the harder it is to insure 100% service from all employees.

When it is a small shop with 2-3 guys it's easy. It's either all good all the time or they don't care and you can tell right away. Once the company reaches a certain sizes it is impossible to get the same service from everyone involved. These are human beings after all. Don't get me wrong I don't think this excuses any un-professional behaviour but trying point out that this happens.

Best Buy made their beginnings based on good service being a priority, the reps don't even get commission. But nowadays you go to enough BBs and you will find both extremes of GREAT customer service and guys who could not care less.

This kind of info needs to get to us, the customers. A good company will use this as an opportunity to make "course corrections" to the direction the comapny is taking.