Backlight bleed & RMA

[thirdeye22]

Hey guys,

I recently ordered an Acer S277HK from Mike's Computer Shop (first time ordering from them). Received the monitor and it has some pretty bad light bleed on all corners and I contacted them for an RMA (sent them photos of it as well). They're trying to tell me that light bleed is common with all monitors and want to charge me a 15% restocking fee ($104) to return it. Here is a quote from them:

"Hello,

I am sorry I cannot be of more assistance but our warranty and refund policies are clearly stated on our website. If you still wish to return the monitor we can do so. This issue as you stated is a common issue people have with these monitors. Upon looking into the product, most people have no issue ignoring the lightbleed present on the display therefor it likely does not qualify for RMA. This is an issue with the design of the product ordered that seems to exist on all models of this monitor. Therefor this would be classified as an ordinary return and is subject to a 15% restocking fee."


What do you guys think of this? It's unbelievable to me.


http://imgur.com/R6mJ0WM

 

[ThatVietGuy]

The seller is right - back-light bleed is not a defect and is just an inherent quality of some monitors.

If it's not a defect it's not qualified for RMA.

 

[someguynamedmatt]

Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with VietGuy - I've had some monitors with absolutely terrible backlight bleed, but it isn't necessarily enough to be claimed as a defect in the screen.

 

[thirdeye22]

It's a $700 monitor....

 

[ThatVietGuy]

It doesn't matter, it's still not a defect.

Just because it cost $700 doesn't mean it'll be perfect.

Did you try reading reviews before purchasing beforehand to see if there was anything notably wrong about the monitor?

 

[thirdeye22]

So having bright blotches on the corners of your screen when you're watching movies, playing games, using Adobe is considered normal to you guys? Not usually what I read around here.

 

[thirdeye22]

Yes I read reviews, and I've purchased monitors in the past from Newegg and NCIX with bleed and they never charged me a restocking fee.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

So having bright blotches on the corners of your screen when you're watching movies, playing games, using Adobe is considered normal to you guys? Not usually what I read around here.

It's "normal" for that monitor, yes.

And, no, I wouldn't like it either.

However, backlight bleed isn't a "defect," per se. It's just a design flaw that is inherent to the manufacturing process of the monitor. You cannot RMA for an inherent flaw. RMA is only applicable to some defect (e.g. not turning on, dead pixels, etc) not caused by the manufacturing process.

Yes I read reviews, and I've purchased monitors in the past from Newegg and NCIX with bleed and they never charged me a restocking fee.

Different companies have different RMA policies. You can't expect there to be the same policy to be in place with all companies.

 

[thirdeye22]

I get what you're saying but to
me it's like saying it's ok if your brand new car comes rusted cause it was made that way. It's not as though it's advertised has having it so I don't think a customer should have to pay for it.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Rusting on a car is not part of the manufacturing process. Therefore yes in that case you deserve to get it fixed.

This is more akin to buying a car and realizing it doesn't have enough power and you're trying to return it. The lack of power isn't a defect, it's just how the car is made. There's nothing you can do to change that little fact.

 

[thirdeye22]

What do you mean exactly by 'part of the manufacturing process'? I fail to see how this isn't a defect. IPS glow is inherent to the technology and I fully expected that, but light bleed to me is a defect no matter how it's spun and many others would agree.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Doesn't matter how many people agree with you, the seller does not agree with you. End of story. Short of filing a lawsuit this isn't going to change what the seller thinks.

And going back to the rust analogy, a car isn't made to rust. The manufacturing process (assembly, painting, etc.) isn't made to have rust be a part of that process. Rust is an occurrence outside the main manufacturing process. That is protected against by your vehicle warranty. If you took delivery of a car and it had rust on it, you're entitled to a repair.

But something like backlight bleed is an unfortunate occurrence of manufacturing an LCD monitor - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/backlight-bleeding.php

Other than buying a different monitor with better reviews you either just have to accept it and live with it or return the monitor, pay the restocking fee, and get a different monitor.

 

[thirdeye22]

Doesn't matter how many people agree with you, the seller does not agree with you. End of story. Short of filing a lawsuit this isn't going to change what the seller thinks.

And going back to the rust analogy, a car isn't made to rust. The manufacturing process (assembly, painting, etc.) isn't made to have rust be a part of that process. Rust is an occurrence outside the main manufacturing process. That is protected against by your vehicle warranty. If you took delivery of a car and it had rust on it, you're entitled to a repair.

But something like backlight bleed is an unfortunate occurrence of manufacturing an LCD monitor - http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/backlight-bleeding.php

Other than buying a different monitor with better reviews you either just have to accept it and live with it or return the monitor, pay the restocking fee, and get a different monitor.

I understand where I am with the seller I'm simply arguing on the point of whether lightbleed is a defect (namely in this case).

It's only an unfortunate part of the manufacturing process when it affects a few monitors in a batch, not every one of an entire model/series. If all monitors of a particular model have lightbleed then they shouldn't be put on the shelves, period. Should MCS have to foot the bill? Maybe not, but they are aware of it affecting every monitor of this particular model and continue to sell it with little recourse for the buyer other than pay restocking fee or live with it.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

That's MCC's prerogative - this just means you continue to buy from Newegg and Superbiiz whom you've had better experiences with.

And just because this one defect bothers you doesn't mean it bothers everyone else. It's a very subjective defect unlike a broken monitor or dozens of dead pixels.

 

[thirdeye22]

That's MCC's prerogative - this just means you continue to buy from Newegg and Superbiiz whom you've had better experiences with.

And just because this one defect bothers you doesn't mean it bothers everyone else. It's a very subjective defect unlike a broken monitor or dozens of dead pixels.

It might be subjective if it's minor blb, not when it's obviously apparent. To me blb is no different than dead pixels, anything that alters the image on your screen (which is what you pay for) is pretty objective imo.