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Anyone heard of this ? Possible "scam" ?

My girlfriends parents just purchased a big screen HDTV. Don't know make, model or who they purchased it from. It is supposedly a local place with two branches, but that is all that i could find out.

However, my girlfriend spoke to her mother today and was given some more info about the transaction. Her mother stated that the tv is due for delivery on Tuesday. The company will deliver it, but will not install or connect any accessories such as vcr, cable box, etc... to it. She was also told that the tv should not have power applied for 24 hours, as the transition from cold outdoor temperature to warm indoor temperature could damage the unit, even more-so if the unit was "fired up". The only reason that i know this much is that i was asked to come by and hook everything up for them sometime after that.

Quite honestly, this sounds like some type of scam. What company would sell a product to you, tell you not to use it for a period of time and then make it more difficult to use ( for the average consumer ) by not installing it ??? As some of you may be aware, current TV's can be pretty confusing to the "electronically challenged" due to the phenomenal amount of input and output jacks, etc...

Has anybody else ever heard of such a thing ? Is the temperature change situation something peculiar to HDTV's ? My big screen ( non HDTV ) was delivered a year ago December and they fired her right up once they hooked jup the basics. Any thoughts or comments welcome as i don't want to see them get taken. Sean
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sean
j_k
234 posts
 
Had the same thing happen to me with the delivery of my HDTV from a reputable dealer, the difference was they hooked it up...

The funny thing is: this is my 2nd TV in 30 days.... The first one came, the guys hooked it up, fired it up. adjusted convergence and left. 15 days later the set was up in smoke. I was smelling warm electronics, etc in the break-in... Exercised my 30 day exchange rights.. When the new one came, I waited 24 Hrs like the new delivery people recommended, and this one works beautifully.. no smell, better picture.

Coincidence?? maybe... As others posted, best to let your electronics come to room temperature so you don't put them through a highly accelerated life test.
ezmeralda11
303 posts
 
Some cd players won't play if there's too much moisture/condensation on the lens, a product of being brought from one temperature extreme to another (cold to hot). And as much as the tv cost, it certainly wouldn't hurt to wait a day.
sean OP
6,231 posts
 
Thanks for the input folks. I'm going to find out more info today, but at least you have somewhat re-assured me on this one. I am not a "videophile" by any means even though i do have a large HT system. Sean
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glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
Definitely a scam dude. YOU GOT RIPPED OFF!!! Try to deal with it :~)
Hope this helps
fatparrot
1,314 posts
 
I remember that some high quality S-VHS and Laserdisc players used to have warnings stating to not use the unit until it had warmed up when coming in from a cold environment. (Some actually has safety disconnects so that the units wouldn't work if there was condensation present.) As for not hooking it up, betcha this unit was purchased from a big electronics chain store. As Kthomas implied...CONSIDER YOURSRLF LUCKY! Happy Tunes!
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