LED, LCD and plasma TV: Buying a new TV Getting your new HDTV home
Retailers have an obligation to dispose of your old TV
What do I do with my old television?
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (Weee) regulations mean retailers have to ensure that customers can return their Weee free of charge.
This is on a one-for-one basis, provided the new equipment is of a similar type and has the same function as the old equipment.
Ask the retailer if it offers an in-store take-back scheme or works with your local authority to collect old equipment. As an individual, you’re under no legal obligation to dispose of your old TV in this way.
My new HD TV has been delivered and it’s faulty. What are my rights?
If you buy something that’s faulty, doesn’t do what it is supposed to, or is not what you ordered, under the Sale of Goods Act you have rights to a refund, repair or replacement.
Contact the retailer you bought the item from and if it doesn’t help you, you can take legal action, for example through the small claims court, to force it to sort out the problem. Your first port of call is always the seller, not the manufacturer.
See the Which? guide to dealing with faulty goods for more information.
Do I get extra cover if I pay for my HD TV by credit card?
Paying by credit card gives you extra protection
Yes. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, the card company is ‘jointly and severally liable’. This means it is equally responsible, along with the retailer, for the goods, and you can contact the card company to sort out your problem.
This right is particularly useful if the retailer has gone bust or it doesn’t respond to your letters or phone calls. Section 75 applies even if you buy goods for delivery to the UK from overseas by telephone, mail order or over the internet.
Goods must cost between £100 and £30,000, and the law doesn’t apply to debit or charge cards.
See the Which? guide to your rights when paying by credit card for more. For more information on your rights when making purchases, check out the Which? guides to your rights
Does my home insurance cover my new television?
If your new TV develops a fault, it’s highly unlikely to be covered by your home contents insurance policy. However, if your television is damaged, it may be covered by an accidental damage policy.
Norwich Union even states: ‘If your Wii controller flies out of your hand and damages the TV, you're covered’.
I bought my HD TV online, but when it arrived the screen was smashed. The online retailer says to take it up with the courier company. Can it do this?
Broken LCD and plasma TVs can be tricky to fix
No – the law (Distance Selling Regulations) says the seller is responsible for the quality and condition of the goods up until you receive them.
Tell the shop to send you a new television, or give your money back. It also has to pick up any damaged goods.
If the retailer refuses or doesn't respond, you could give it a final chance and warn that you intend to start court action if it doesn't replace the item or give you your money back.
See the Which? guide to online shopping problems for more information
My HD TV isn’t under warranty, can I get it repaired?
Modern televisions are not as straightforward to repair as old-fashioned CRT (cathode ray tube) TVs. If your HD TV has simply gone dead or is stuck in standby, it could be a power supply fault and is probably fixable.
However, if the HD TV has developed an obscure picture problem, it's more likely to be a digital-processing glitch, which is a much bigger problem. For an estimate charge of around £50, most reputable dealers will make an assessment of whether the television is fixable.
For major LCD and plasma TV brands, it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s website to see whether common problems, fixes and software updates have been listed.
Even if your HD TV isn’t under warranty when it breaks down, you may be able to get it fixed free of charge under the Sale of Goods Act.
The golden rule – be gentle when cleaning your TV
How should I clean the screen of my LCD TV or plasma TV?
The best method of cleaning a flat panel TV is with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
It’s difficult to justify the cost of expensive proprietary LCD or plasma TV screen cleaners, and household cleaning products should generally be avoided.
But the golden rule (especially for LCD TVs) is to apply very little pressure. Push too hard and the LCD screen is liable to crack.