Living on a pendulum, the highs and lows of life.

This is a review of the following tv repair service.
https://www.ottawatvservice.ca/

On July 3 Rd 2018, the tv I had purchased on December 26 2016 started malfunctioning.

Before sending it to recycling, I thought I should try and have it repaired, so I searched online for places that could repair it. I finally contacted the repair place from the link by email. He said I could drop it off and he would look at it for 43$.

When I went to his place, I discovered I had a very hard time understanding him. I have been working in call centres for 16 years. I have become quite accustomed to severe language barriers but this was even beyond me. I asked that he communicate the results of the diagnostic by email or text.

What does he do? He calls me. And to boot I was driving. I barely was able to understand that some parts would need replacing and the total cost. I was a little shocked by the amount but without really understand what he was saying, I told him to go ahead.

I really didn't want to have to throw it out. We as a society tend to trash too many things already.

A few days later, it was ready to be picked up. I headed over to his place and he showed me the screen was lit. He had to readjust the sound as my daughter and I found it to be extremely loud on the low setting.

I paid him (more than it cost me to purchase it in the first place) and brought it to my car. As I was leaving, he said to make sure we didn't shake it or jostle it. Not an easy task considering how bumpy his road was. He also said to be careful not to overheat it. All this sounded odd but since I don't watch TV that often in summer and we have air conditioning, I wasn't too worried.

Once we got home, we set it up right away with a new surge protector. He had implied I think something about a surge. Right away my son noticed that the screen had a dark bar down the middle with a few very bright spots. I figured I could put up with it, really didn't want to go back there. Told my son I could deal with it as long as it works.

Two weeks later, this is what it's doing : https://photos.app.goo.gl/UrrtvbuFH1k2Z4gt8

The exact same thing it was doing before I brought it to him. I started crying. I could not believe I had spent so much money and it barely lasted two weeks. For the same amount of money I could have bought a better newer tv with a two year warranty.

I contacted him and below is our email exchange.

On Tuesday, July 3, 2018, 9:16:33 p.m. EDT, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier <vickimercier@gmail.com> wrote:

My tv is going dark and flickering...

I would like to set up an appointment to have it assessed for possible repair.

Thanks

Call or text 613-xxx-xxxx

Vicki

On Tue, Jul 3, 2018, 9:48 PM Hai Truong <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Hi, Please drop off for inspect it or call us for service call estimate home service after 9 am

Thank you!

Hai Truong- Operating Manager. IN HOME TV & ELECTRONIC SERVICE 24/7

436 Queen Mary St, Ottawa, ON K1K 1W5 Canada. www.ottawatvservice.ca Email: repairbigtv@yahoo.ca Cell : 613-513-5494 Fax : 613-627-9761 http://www.ottawatvservice.ca/ http://www.tvservice247.ca/

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018, 9:31:06 a.m. EDT, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

I am at work till 5:30 or so. When is the latest I can go drop it off?

On Wed, Jul 4, 2018, 10:00 AM Hai Truong <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

9 pm

Thank you!

Hai Truong- Operating Manager. IN HOME TV & ELECTRONIC SERVICE 24/7

436 Queen Mary St, Ottawa, ON K1K 1W5 Canada. www.ottawatvservice.ca Email: repairbigtv@yahoo.ca Cell : 613-513-5494 Fax : 613-627-9761 http://www.ottawatvservice.ca/ http://www.tvservice247.ca/

On Monday, July 23, 2018, 6:48:31 p.m. EDT, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

Hello.

I recently brought in my tv for repairs because it was dark and flickering. You may remember us. We had you readjust the sound because it was loud. You replaced the power source and back light.

When the tv came back, while it was definitely working better, we noticed right away there were light spots and today it has reverted to being dark and flickering.

We also replaced the surge protector and have been keeping shut when not watching it.

I know you said you guarantee your work, but what about the parts?

Thanks

On Jul 23, 2018 6:52 PM, "Hai Truong" <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Hi,

Please drop off for inspect it again, no diagnostic fee, I will let you know after inspect it

Thank you!

Hai Truong- Operating Manager. IN HOME TV & ELECTRONIC SERVICE 24/7

436 Queen Mary St, Ottawa, ON K1K 1W5 Canada. www.ottawatvservice.ca Email: repairbigtv@yahoo.ca Cell : 613-513-5494 Fax : 613-627-9761 http://www.ottawatvservice.ca/ http://www.tvservice247.ca/

On Jul 29, 2018, at 12:40 PM, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

Hello Hai

Please send me an electronic copy of your supplier invoice for the power supply board you purchased to replace mine.

My research online shows a drastically different price for the part.

I have already spent almost 100 more on the repair than I did to purchase to tv , I have not brought it in for diagnostic as I refuse to spend more money on a old tv

You are welcome to come see for yourself that it no longer works properly at my own home.

I will be requesting a refund.

On Sun, Jul 29, 2018, 1:46 PM Hai Truong <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Hello,

The TV has backlight problem also, so you need to check backlight set price for the TV and add to power supply price.

By the way, we will go to your home to pick up the TV and we will repair it for you for warranty, you don’t need to pay anything.

Please let meh know your address, your phone number and available time we can come to your home.

Thank you so much!

Hai

On Jul 29, 2018, at 1:58 PM, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

Please send me an electronic copy of the invoice from your supplier.

On Sun, Jul 29, 2018, 2:29 PM Hai Truong <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

It isn’t ready to send you right now, sorry about that. Please let me know the invoice number in the paper I gave to you. We can repair it for warranty.

Thanks,

Hai

On Jul 29, 2018, at 3:06 PM, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

Here are my invoices. See it is not difficult to produce an invoice for something purchase or paid a few weeks ago.

Before I allow you to touch the tv again. I request that you produce the supplier invoice which lists the part number.

Your invoice does not list or identify the parts I paid for.

I find extremely difficult to believe new parts would fail within 2 weeks.

On Mon, Jul 30, 2018, 9:04 AM Hai Truong <repairbigtv@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Hello Mercier,

We are sorry about that, if you want the refund we can return you money. If you want to repair the Tv, we can repair it for you for warranty. Please let me know your decision and make an appointment before you come. Thank you for your understanding.

On Monday, July 30, 2018, 7:36:41 p.m. EDT, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

Hello Hai.

I would prefer a refund.

Let me know when would be a good time to come by.

Thanks.

Hai Truong

Jul 30 (5 days ago)

to me

Hi,

You can bring it it back for repair warranty first, in case we cant repair it will do the refund, we want to know the problem first.

Thank you!

Hai Truong- Operating Manager. IN HOME TV & ELECTRONIC SERVICE 24/7

436 Queen Mary St, Ottawa, ON K1K 1W5 Canada. www.ottawatvservice.ca Email: repairbigtv@yahoo.ca Cell : 613-513-5494 Fax : 613-627-9761 http://www.ottawatvservice.ca/ http://www.tvservice247.ca/

On Saturday, August 4, 2018, 5:46:49 p.m. EDT, Mirtirra Véhème Mercier wrote:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ixjdio9fbbengGV49

Please see tv you claimed to have repaired

Your response online says the customer is the problem not the repair. You still have not provided any kind of proof you provided me with the parts you charged me

You are welcome to come to my home to repair on warranty. We can therefore see for ourselves that the parts were indeed replaced.

Hai Truong

5:59 PM (3 hours ago)

to me

Mercier,

We do the service here so the warranty will be in the shop.

Thank you!

Hai Truong- Operating Manager. IN HOME TV & ELECTRONIC SERVICE 24/7

436 Queen Mary St, Ottawa, ON K1K 1W5 Canada. www.ottawatvservice.ca Email: repairbigtv@yahoo.ca Cell : 613-513-5494 Fax : 613-627-9761 http://www.ottawatvservice.ca/ http://www.tvservice247.ca/

Below is my review on Google:

2 days ago-Edit

Brought in my tv for repair.  Cost me more than it would have cost to just replace it and it still showed problems with lighting when it was returned.  Two weeks after the repair, and having barely used it, it was broken again.  Same symptoms that had me bring it in in the first place.  When I wrote to him, he did say to bring it back in and he would not charge me for the diagnostic but considering I had already spent more on the repair than the cost if purchase, I am not interested in spending a penny more on this tv, regardless of the results of the diagnostic.  So much for the six month warranty.  I have been asking for some kind of proof that the parts he billed me as new parts were indeed new and he is unable to comply and avoiding the question.  After he himself offered the choice of a refund, he reverted to saying he wants to try and fix it first, which is an option I will only accept if he can demonstrate the parts he billed me for were in fact provided.  Considering court for breach of contract.

Below is his response:

Response from the owner2 days ago

I am sorry to hear that, if it is in 6 month warranty please bring it back for repair it, if we cant repair it with the same problem like before we will do refund

The refund cant make in case customer did not bring it back for warranty and ask for the money. We have about 1 percent return customer because the part quality not good but any one need to bring it back , please dont ask the refund if did not show the tv had the same problem like before, make sure keep the invoice with you all the time you want to do warranty and bring it back to confirm the tv problem, not problem come from the customer, who ask money for no reason!

Here is the site for all his reviews. Now if you filter by lowest rating first, it makes for an interesting read. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to do this before bring my TV to him My bad.

https://www.google.ca/search?source=hp&ei=w09mW7naBpijjwSQj5-QDw&q=tv%20repair%20ottawa&oq=tv+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.35i39k1j0l3j0i131k1l2j0l4.2453.3069.0.5371.5.4.0.0.0.0.135.376.0j3.4.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.4.484.6...112.u7VDu3mH87g&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=45414263,-75629435,8714&tbm=lcl&rldimm=14050911042553066540&ved=2ahUKEwiWwcG33tTcAhXnx4MKHU85D3kQvS4wAHoECAAQLQ&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!2m4!1e17!4m2!17m1!1e2!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m1!1e16!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10#lrd=0x4cce05632aabe7f3:0xc2fedd25f5fd342c,1,,,&rlfi=hd:;si:14050911042553066540;mv:!1m3!1d38514.34057051876!2d-75.64928115000001!3d45.40847180000001!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i805!2i330!4f13.1;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!2m4!1e17!4m2!17m1!1e2!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10

The most interesting reviews are the following:

5 months ago-

Let me start by saying that my receiver is working again. Unfortunately, other than that I have nothing good to say. I paid the upfront assessment fee and was told that I needed a new control panel for the Receiver. It would need to be ordered and would cost 300 dollars. It would take 2 to 3 weeks to receive the part. The next day, I was called and he had found the part locally. When I went to pick the stereo, I asked to see the order slip for the new part. If I wanted the piece of paper, it would cost me another 100 dollars. After 30 minutes of discussion with the entire family it was very clear that they did not replace the main control panel at all. They had sourced a spare part from their basement. A trade secret I was told. 

This type of dishonesty is not acceptable. Nor was the sudden inability to speak English in a manner that we could understand each other. I don't mind paying the fee to fix the stereo. In the end however, I paid 300 dollars for a part that they never installed. I strongly recommend you go elsewhere for any repairs that might be needed. This was a scam.

Response from the owner5 months ago

We did repair for you the receiver, it costs many hours and items for that work, it deserves that price, and your receiver is well done now, so you better thank us and do not say like this! Good luck!

a year ago-

Very Poor Experience.. he could not repair my samsung tv and blamed the power in my house even though I have a surge protector. The first time,  it failed 2 hours after i got home, 2nd time it failed after 2 weeks. I asked for a refund for my money as i had decided to just buy a new tv at this point, he kept refusing saying he can repair it. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO GO THERE.

2 years ago-

VERY Disappointed. TERRIBLE SERVICE. Rude. Was hired to fix large LCD TV. We did the research on the issue with the manufacturer. Based on our findings, manufacturer suggested we investigate the power supply. We shared our information with IHT&ES in our initial email to him, describing the problems and what the manufacturer had told us. He insisted it was a software issue, recommended WE update the software and the firmware. He reset the error codes on the TV to get unit operational and left. TV malfunctioned again the next day. IHT&ES has a 180 day guarantee. We insisted he investigate the power supply. IHT&ES refused to return to our home. Charged us $400 for parts and labour. TV is still not functional. We asked for a breakdown of what parts we had purchased since the unit has never left our home or a full refund since the TV remains non functional. Company has refused to refund our money. Owner refuses to answer our calls or return our messages. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS.  Rip off. Only interested in the money. All testimonials are written by him. AVOID.

UPDATE: Owner did not fix the original problem - the original problem WE TOLD HIM ABOUT in our initial email - the power supply - has been confirmed by an AUTHORIZED service technician for this make of TV. Owner has not fixed the TV. Owner refuses to fix TV. Owner has told us - sight unseen that the entire screen of the TV is shot and that the TV is not worth fixing. The TV has a faulty power supply. This company is a disaster. Save your money and a boat load of frustration. He is NOT a reliable nor trustworthy tech.

Response from the owner2 years ago

We will do refund all customers if We have evident that the problem is the same before.
This 70 inches TV have problem dead not turn on. We have fix that. Then latter the second problem is picture blink, The screen is defective, and customer do not want to fix it. OK to refund partly if customer contact us for refund.
All infors customer said on the review is not correct! I called 2 times to discuss the refund but customer not answer the phone! But if customer want to full refund for the service first problem, we will refused.

7 months ago-

while he fixed the problem, he charged over $400. Possibly played every trick the rule book for scamming people. First. the "free estimate" cost $40, so if you do not accept his initial estimate, you will be $40 out. Second, the price went higher and higher from his initial estimate- including charging me $29 for expedited shipping for an alleged part not in stock. When I accepted, magically, the TV was ready a few hours later for pick-up on Sunday morning. When I asked him for the part he replaced, he would not reproduce it, spouting some nonsense about "warranty". One star for fixing the problem, but again, I have no idea when he did to the TV. For the price he charged me, I could have had an official Sony repair and not some unknown fix. Too bad he felt that he needed to take advantage and cheat me out of money, rather than be an honest person.

Caution: most reviews of this website are fake - check their profile, one review only, and nothing else.

Response from the ownera year ago

Hi,
A am sorry about the part high for your tv repair.
When I order part for repair, I already call you for the price of shipping cost but I did call other phone number so you did not get that.
Please call me back for refund $ 29 plus tax = $ 32.77 as soon as possible!

Thank you!

His website claimed some interesting things like:

Salvage Your Electronics

People sometimes throw away their TV when all it needs is a lamp replacement – we believe in repairing and reusing. This is not only good for the environment, but good for your wallet too!

Reliable Service 24 Hours a Day

When your TV or electronic device stops working, don’t just throw it away. Call In Home TV & Electronic Service 24/7. We will repair the device in your home; our mobile technology service will help save you money and reduce waste. With our service, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of hefting your large electronics to and from a repair shop. We come to you, fixing your broken down electronics in the comfort of your own home.

From my experience, these claims are not quite accurate.

******Update on August 15 2018 the ownwe has provided me with a refund.

Pages

August 4, 2018

Review of In home Tv Services

Hai Truong

Hai Truong

Who wrote this?