Philips 55PFL8008 or something else? Confused.

[bigboss]

:cheers:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I got a call from John Lewis this afternoon about the price match request I submitted to my local store so here goes....

First of all I got a call from a really nice lady just after lunch who informed me that sadly John Lewis would NOT match the Total Digital price for three reasons...1, they were of the opinion that the shop had no physical store of the same name and that it was an online arm of the retailer. 2, the offer did not include a 5 year warranty and lastly there was a £30 delivery charge for the tv.

Now knowing what gel told me about the retailer having a physical shop and confirming this myself I argued my case that the retailer was genuine and had a store of the same name trading as a retail outlet on the High Street and that the online site was the same retailer with the same details and address. I accepted that the 5 year warranty was not included but argued that John Lewis online had price matched this tv from the same retailer under these conditions and that they had agreed that Total Digital were a genuine retailer with a physical store and offered the price match, I told her I had a reference number and email to confirm this. She agreed to go away and talk it over with the team dealing with it and call me back...I wasn't hopeful they would do it but I fought my corner and gave them something to think about at least.

About half an hour later I get a second call from the store from a really nice chap called Alex and I was poised to add the info on the Guardian article gel pointed me towards yesterday as extra ammunition when I was told that on this occasion as a one off they would match the Total Digital price but I would have to pay the extra £30 that they add on for delivery so finally John Lewis price matched at £1886 with a 5 year warranty for the UE55F8000 which I wasn't about to argue with.

I've got the tv reserved for me at the store and all that remains is to go there tomorrow and pay for it and pray it fits in the car (Ford Focus), I did find the dimensions of the tv boxed yesterday so will measure up later but I think it will fit OK.

All that's left to say is very many thanks to gel in particular for his invaluable help in dealing with John Lewis because without it I really think they wouldn't have matched what is a cracking price...thank you very much mate I can't thank you enough :cheers:

And to everyone else who has been kind enough to comment on this thread I thank you all for taking the time and effort to help me and share your opinion and it's at times like these when you come to appreciate what an invaluable bunch you all are, I respect your opinions and it was all taken onboard whilst making my decision. Again I can't thank you all enough as it's been brilliant that you have all continued to comment on this thread and help me come to the right choice for my needs so thank you to all of you :clap:

All that remains is to get it tomorrow and start enjoying my new 55F8000 tv.....I really can't wait

Superb mate! :cheer: That is cracking, and a great deal! No probs mate.

Yep, you said everthing right - nice one. :clap:

 

[Oldboy]

Thanks again gel :clap: there is no way I would have got that deal without your help and i'm chuffed to bits that it will be mine tomorrow at that price, you are a star! :star:

I can't blame John Lewis for not wanting to price match as let's face it that's one hell of a saving I just got when the tv is advertised at 2,499.99 so a £614 saving is not to be sniffed at eh...sleep might be a problem tonight as it feels like christmas has come early as the final peice of my AV puzzle will be here tomorrow. Splendid

 

[bigboss]

I think the ideal that you can use a newly brought TV then say you do not want it and return it on the distant selling regulation have been over stated by a forum member here. There is no such thing.

I have read that TD small print and clearly the return of an item is implicit on not having used the product and the same with JL and Richer Sounds. Once you ripped up the smaller packaging of the accessories and assembled the stand and plugged in the TV,then who is going buy that set if returned to the shop, unless it is faulty. The set is no longer new as it has been used.

To open the A list boxed item and see the wrapped up items are fine and could be put back together in the box and returned and the set can still be sold as new.

If in doubt ask or get an email confirmaton on the matter.No company will ever issue a written statement to say you can use a prestige TV then return it almost on a trial and buy basis, unless it saids so. Richer sounds will dock a 20% fee on such a return.

Oldie,if JL says 'No' to price match, just buy from total digital and the cheap extended 5 year warranty. I also would ensure the five year warranty is on site. You cannot lose with either firm but it is time to close the chapter and start enjoying the TV.

Just to clarify your doubts about DSR, check these:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/home-cinema/distance-selling-regulations-know-your-rights

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft698.pdf

Refunds

The retailer must refund the full amount including the delivery

costs as soon as possible after the consumer cancels, and in

any case within 30 days at the latest. You cannot insist on the

goods being received by you before you make a refund.

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft913.pdf - this is the best article ever as it's actually written by the office of fair trading to tell businesses what they legal have to comply with or as i look at it, it gives me a list of things they usually don't do which you can then challenge them on!

ones from memory are refunds as stated above - also i'm pretty sure it says somewhere you don't have to return in original packaging but it is your responsability to ensure they are packaged safely for collection - most companies don't tell you that




Can I insist that consumers who cancel an order within the




cancellation period return the goods as new or in their




original packaging?



3.58 No. Consumers are under a duty to take reasonable care of the goods

while in their possession as discussed in paragraph 3.44. The DSRs

allow consumers to examine goods they have ordered as they would

in a shop. If that requires opening the packaging and trying out the

goods then they have not breached their duty to take reasonable

care of the goods. In these circumstances you cannot insist that

consumers return the goods as new or in their original packaging.

You may ask consumers to return goods with the original packaging,

but you cannot insist on this. In the case of goods such as earrings

that have hygiene seals, you may require consumers to exercise

reasonable care by not removing the seals when examining them.

 

[Oldboy]

Brilliant info there bigboss as I never knew all that!

As you say it's more ammunition when it comes to arguing your case and much appreciated.

 

[mr malarky]

Many congrats on the new TV Oldboy, she looks like a beauty!

:cheers:

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Thanks again gel :clap: there is no way I would have got that deal without your help and i'm chuffed to bits that it will be mine tomorrow at that price, you are a star! :star:

I can't blame John Lewis for not wanting to price match as let's face it that's one hell of a saving I just got when the tv is advertised at 2,499.99 so a £614 saving is not to be sniffed at eh...sleep might be a problem tonight as it feels like christmas has come early as the final peice of my AV puzzle will be here tomorrow. Splendid

And with the £200 cashback you have taken £800 of the original price!

And it is a new TV - amazing! Even in clearance you won't get such a good deal! :cheers:

 

[Anonymous]

big boss,on the distance selling regulations thing I get the virtually no quibble return policy enshrined in the law but unless dealers gives the Ok for the return of the used, not faulty,product, I would not deal with them. And I do not want some poor sod having to pay full price on an item I have used and with my grubby finger prints on it etc and vice versa. A new a TV must mean unused and not previously sold.

In argos even their 30days return policy is exempt on some electricals like xboxes and ps3s without affecting peoples statutory rights so some dealers have some policy they can make irrespective of the law.It is not all that straight forward.But asking is the best and least stressful approach for each and every case and purchase in question to avoid problems.

 

[bigboss]

And I do not want some poor sod having to pay full price on an item I have used and with my grubby finger prints on it etc and vice versa. A new a TV must mean unused and not previously sold.

Well, the dealers aren't happy about it, but that's what the law says. Once returned, the dealers can only sell them as a "customer return" product, or return to manufacturer.

 

[bigboss]

Bear in mind that DSR only applies to products you haven't physically checked prior to purchase, like online or telephone orders. If you go to a shop and buy, DSR does not apply.

 

[BenLaw]

Congrats oldboy :cheers: Looking forward to the write up when you've got it home

 

[rocketrazor]

Well done mate. Lets hope you have many many hours of enjoyable tv watching :clap:

 

[rocketrazor]

And don't forget to upload some pics for us

 

[bigboss]

An excellent review of the 40-inch sibling of your TV Oldboy :cheers:

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Samsung-UE-F8000-40-40F8000-55F8000-55-47F8000-47-75F8000-75-Inch-3D-LED-LCD-Smart-TV-Review_563/Review.html

There may be merit in getting it calibrated after 200 hours, especially to improve greyscale.

 

[bigboss]

Just noticed that they also have reviewed the 55-inch model:

http://www.avforums.com/reviews/Samsung-UE-F8000-55F8000-55-47F800-47-75F8000-75-Inch-3D-LED-LCD-Smart-TV-Review_491/Review.html

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Another cracking review here:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/samsung-ue46f8000-review/15785

I spent quite a bit of time with the Samsung in John Lewis and the black levels were really good. Tennis looked amazing on it too.

 

[Oldboy]

Thanks everyone for the best wishes :cheers:

Slight hiccup though...took a trip to John Lewis today to pay for the TV and collect it only to find there had been a mix up, the TV is in stock at the distribution centre and not my local store. Disappointed that I drove there today only to come home £1886 worse off with nothing to show for it and will have to wait until Tuesday before I can pick it up from the store despite me asking 3 times yesterday on the phone if I could pay and collect today, each time I was told yes which is frustrating as it means yet another trip to the store.

Anyway it's all paid for now and it's only a few more days to wait. Of course when I get it up on the wall I will post some updated pics with the TV in situ then add a thread on my thoughts after a few days run in.

Yes bigboss I'm seriously going to consider a proper calibration once I'm sure it's a keeper and will look forward to seeing what difference that makes to picture quality, will give it some run in before I do that though.

Roll on Tuesday evening!

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Disappointed that I drove there today only to come home £1886 worse off with nothing to show for it and will have to wait until Tuesday before I can pick it up from the store despite me asking 3 times yesterday on the phone if I could pay and collect today, each time I was told yes which is frustrating as it means yet another trip to the store.

That is really not good, sorry Oldboy! I hope that someone from John Lewis apologised profusely, did they offer to refund your petrol? |(

 

[strapped for cash]

That's a pain, but hopefully a very temporary setback. You'll soon be enjoying the new TV!

Calibration seems a very good idea indeed, as out of the box performance is the wrong side of what I'd regard as acceptable. (At least on the review model.) Hopefully you'll be surprised by just how much difference it makes. Since it's an LED TV, I'd assume there would be no reason to re-calibrate (or "tune-up") after the initial calibration, as LED TVs don't drift like plasma TVs.

There's no need to run the TV in, either, though of course you want to be sure you're happy with the TV before paying for calibration.

Looking forward to your impressions once you've had a chance to play...

 

[Deleted member 2457]

Thanks everyone for the best wishes :cheers:

Slight hiccup though...took a trip to John Lewis today to pay for the TV and collect it only to find there had been a mix up, the TV is in stock at the distribution centre and not my local store. Disappointed that I drove there today only to come home £1886 worse off with nothing to show for it and will have to wait until Tuesday before I can pick it up from the store despite me asking 3 times yesterday on the phone if I could pay and collect today, each time I was told yes which is frustrating as it means yet another trip to the store.

Anyway it's all paid for now and it's only a few more days to wait. Of course when I get it up on the wall I will post some updated pics with the TV in situ then add a thread on my thoughts after a few days run in.

Yes bigboss I'm seriously going to consider a proper calibration once I'm sure it's a keeper and will look forward to seeing what difference that makes to picture quality, will give it some run in before I do that though.

Roll on Tuesday evening!

That is a bummer! Look forward to hearing about the TV next week.

 

[Oldboy]

That is really not good, sorry Oldboy! I hope that someone from John Lewis apologised profusely, did they offer to refund your petrol? |(

I guess it's not great service but after the hassle with the price match and the fact that I have managed to get the tv for £1686 after cashback from Samsung I don't think it's worth complaining especially when I have a 5 year warranty as well, for the sake of a few days and the cost of going to collect it I don't see any reason to create a fuss.

The salesman did apologise that I was given incorrect information which is fair enough and to be perfectly honest I feel like i'm robbing them anyway at that price...Tuesday can't come soon enough though.

 

[Oldboy]

That's a pain, but hopefully a very temporary setback. You'll soon be enjoying the new TV!

Calibration seems a very good idea indeed, as out of the box performance is the wrong side of what I'd regard as acceptable. (At least on the review model.) Hopefully you'll be surprised by just how much difference it makes. Since it's an LED TV, I'd assume there would be no reason to re-calibrate (or "tune-up") after the initial calibration, as LED TVs don't drift like plasma TVs.

There's no need to run the TV in, either, though of course you want to be sure you're happy with the TV before paying for calibration.

Looking forward to your impressions once you've had a chance to play...

I will do my usual calibration with the AVS HD 709 disc when I get the tv and will look at calibration results from reviews as a starting point but i'm very much of the mind to get a professional calibration done with this tv as I plan on it seeing me through for at least the life of the warranty so it will be well worth doing.

I don't suppose you have any idea how I go about tracking down a proper calibrator in my area by any chance? I won't be rushing into it but it would be good to at least have an idea of who to contact as I will be getting it done within a month or two, at least then I can get an idea of cost and booking etc.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how it's done and of course the end results compared to my basic efforts, I've no doubt I will be reporting the benefits of professional calibration after it's done.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

I don't suppose you have any idea how I go about tracking down a proper calibrator in my area by any chance? I won't be rushing into it but it would be good to at least have an idea of who to contact as I will be getting it done within a month or two, at least then I can get an idea of cost and booking etc.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how it's done and of course the end results compared to my basic efforts, I've no doubt I will be reporting the benefits of professional calibration after it's done.

Go to the "Arguments for and against calibration" thread that Strapped for Cash started. On page 2, post 2, he gives the link to the professional calibrators.

 

[bigboss]

I don't suppose you have any idea how I go about tracking down a proper calibrator in my area by any chance?

Go to the "Arguments for and against calibration" thread that Strapped for Cash started. On page 2, post 2, he gives the link to the professional calibrators.

There you go:

Here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210766441320107979898.0004a63912ac68edf2d4d

Most will travel, so it's wise to do some research first on individual calibrators and prices.

 

[strapped for cash]

Whereabouts to you live, Oldboy?