Sat, 02 Mar 2002

Where's my TV?

On March 26, 1998 I purchased an RCA big screen television (Model RP 46 IJ) from Bali Makmur Elektronics in Denpasar, Bali. I was impressed with the picture quality, the manual was in English and printed in the USA and as an extra bonus it offered a two-year guarantee. I thought this was proof that RCA trusted the quality of its appliances so much that it was confident to offer double the warranty offered by other brands. The price was just under US$2,000.

After approximately 14 months, this RCA TV developed a problem, where the entire screen turned green. I called Bali Makmur Elektronics and they arranged for an RCA-approved technician to call and repair the fault. This was done, and my TV was "normal again".

In early March 2000, with only one week of my guarantee left, the exact same problem occurred again, a green screen. Once again Bali Makmur Elektronics were called. Technicians arrived at my house and took the TV away to be repaired. It has not been seen since. That's right. Twenty-three months later, March 2000 to February 2002, the TV has not been returned.

The Bali Makmur Elektronics owner, Sahtian, has always been extremely helpful, yet he too, like myself, has been frustrated with the evasive answers from the RCA-approved repairers. We were even told about nine months ago that: "The TV has been repaired and is working fine, and we are leaving it turned on for two days to double check it, before we return it to you." Alas ... no delivery.

Where are you RCA? Why won't you talk to Bali Makmur Elektronics and tell them where my TV is and why it has not been repaired after 23 months?

UUT ARIANI

Denpasar, Bali