I vow that I will never buy another Toshiba product. Join me.
I may not be able to sue them, but I sure can spread the word!
I bought a Toshiba SD-V280 (U) VCR/DVD combo unit through Amazon.com on June 10, 2002. On July 29th, 2002, the machine simply would not turn on - the power supply was dead. Since it was past the Amazon return date, I took the unit to the nearest Toshiba authorized repair company, who held it for a month, and then returned it saying that it "wasn't worth repairing." They said that the "failure was typical of lightning or surge damage." Since there was no storm, and it was on a power strip that was not tripped, and our computers and other equipment showed no sign of damage, I was skeptical. Then I discovered that if they feel that they can say it's caused by a power surge, Toshiba does not honor its 90-day warrantee!
This is consumer fraud. The power supply (and perhaps the whole unit) was inferior and/or defective. It is a little suspicious in the first place that my particular unit had a "U" after the standard model number. My previous unit from another company worked just fine for over 20 years. However, when the Toshiba product stops working after 6 weeks, they ignore the rights of the consumer. Sadly, they have gotten away with it in my case, and probably with other buyers as well. The machine is sitting in the garage, still in its original packaging, with all the receipts - it just doesn't make any difference what I do
My emails to their so-called "customer service" department went unanswered. No response either through the Better Business Bureau or the consumer sites. Finally, I got a telephone number to call - there is no actual connection between the customer service department and the email address! Their "investigation" resulted in a simple restatement that the repair person said that the damage was "not incompatible" with lightening or a power surge! They instructed me not to call again when I suggested that they put a big red sign on the box warning of the need for an expensive power surge protection system, since even if they are right (which they are not), the unit would then have proven to be so sensitive that the power supply blows up even when other equipment is not affected whatsoever. Just as a side note, this unit didn't even have a manual eject, so I had to throw myself on the mercy of Blockbuster Video for a month's worth of viewing frees for a new-release dvd (unlike Toshiba, they were terrific, and waived the fees).
This is the second time that I have purchased a product from Toshiba that was defective (a motherboard blew on a Satellite notebook computer two days after warrantee expiration). Between the two purchases, Toshiba has cost me thousands of dollars in defective product. If you look around on consumer complaint sites, you will see that there are problems with both Toshiba's quality of product and its responsiveness to their customers.
I welcome all opportunities to testify to this experience: Consumer Reports, Clark Howard, consumer investigators, class-action suit lawyers - feel free to contact me.
Warning: The CEO, Shunichi Yamashita, does not respond at 1420-B Toshiba Drive, Lebanon, TN 37087. The email Customer_Support@tacp.com referred to at the website http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/ does not respond to consumer complaints - that's in a completely different location, which can only be reached at 1-800-631-3811.
Seth agrees:
"I am going through the same agony and frustration in regards to my 4 month old Toshiba laptop that for two months now is still sitting at the repair shop for motherboard problems. They say the part is on back order. Yeah right. Customer service told me to F*** off. Corporate will not return my calls after talking with a corporate pr*** who said he would get right on it. I even paid $400.00 for the Systemguard warranty for accidental damage. They said this warranty does not cover "manufacture defect". This is the biggest nightmare I have ever experienced with a company or its products. I am telling anyone I can to boycott Toshiba."
Kixdemp agrees:
"The __SHI*TT**ST__ laptop ever in existence. I bought a Satellite A75 like 2 years ago. On the 3rd or 4th day of using it, I was in the car, and the thing just shut off. I've had that problem all through my warranty period, calling Toshiba about it every half a month or so. They always either told me to buy a cool pad, which doesn't work, or sell it on eBay. You know what? The store I bought it from told me that they accepted exchanges if you didn't like the laptop. I went over to that store and they told me that they didn't, but Toshiba did. I called Toshiba and they said they didn't either. I took the laptop to the Toshiba-certified repair store near my area - they fixed it, I was happy. 2 months later, random shut-offs again. ARGH. Now, I spent $1,300 on this laptop... Now I gotta save that amount of money to buy a better one. B_O_Y_C_O_T_T__T_O_S_H_I_B_A!!!!!!"
Mary agrees:
I was just on your site and amen!! I finally found what I have been looking for. The same dissatisfied customers of the Toshiba industry. I have a laptop that was gotten for my daughter and the thing was defective when we got it. I just thought it was the msn. Now after trying to get some resolve they yelled at me on the phone. Customer Relations. What assholes. I want to hire a lawyer but I seriously think all of us should ban together and make multiple complaints and get some resolve and make them accountable to the consumer.
Important Update! There is a class action against Toshiba for their DVD Players. If you were also given the runaround about a defective player, go to http://www.dvdnotice.com/ and print out and mail the pdf claim form! Thank you Maynard, for sending me the link!
Plantron Inc Boycott
Boycott Plantron Inc.: This company is affiliated with 10 companies: House of Wesley, Burgess Seed, Inter-State Nurseries, Farmer Seed and Nursery, Four Seasons Nursery, Richard Owen Nurseries, Inc., Owen Nursery and Florist, Kelly Nurseries, Exciting Gardens (also dba Direct Gardening), and Royal Dutch Garden. Address: 1700 Morrissey Dr., Bloomington, IL, 61704-7100. Tel: 309-663-9551
There were a few rosebushes in my order that seemed ok and have started to sprout. Most of other contents were seriously damaged, moldy, or dead, and their "collection" of perennials smelled so bad I had to throw it away. Their customer service department does not respond to complaints nor to requests for a refund, and if you do an internet search (oh, how I wish I had), you will find that all of this is pretty much the norm. Outstandingly bad.
Leisah agrees:
I had a similar experience with Farmers Seed & Nursery. They are trying to claim I didn't send my shipping labels back. I did Certified Mail. I just scanned the Certified Mail Receipt with the copy of the letter I sent and gave them until Friday to respond. I am a lawyer and am looking for others to bring a class action. I also am forwarding a copy of everything to the Mail Fraud Division of the Office of Inspector General.
Tips: If you want to mailorder plants and other garden products, first google the company. If you decide to order, use Amex or another credit card, never a bank debit card (so that you can contest).
Consumer Resources
Federal Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO - Award-winning free federal info. on saving money, investing, getting federal benefits, buying cars and houses, staying healthy, parenting, solving consumer problems and more.
Consumer Online - An online service of the Office of Consumer and Business Education of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. It offers the full text of consumer publications on a wide range of categories.
National Consumer's League - Oldest consumer organization in the US, a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. Mission is to identify, protect, represent, and advance economic and social interests of consumers and workers.
Better Business Bureau - Great resources, not just to check out a company or file a complaint against one (most people are familiar with that), but also for consumer guidance and dispute resolution.
Consumer Action Handbook online and register your consumer complaint directly with consumer contacts at hundreds of companies and trade associations, state and federal government agencies, local and national consumer organizations and many more. Use its sample complaint form as a guide for your own letter or e-mail.