I purchased two Benq 17" LCD monitors (FP71G+) on December 30th, 2005.One of them crapped out in September (2007), and the second one a couple days ago (Nov, 2007). They both just stopped working in an instant, I believe the backlight went out.
I took them in for warranty service today (as they are supposedly covered by a 3 year warranty; including the backlight.. maybe?). I didn't have much luck. Appartently when I made the purchase I ended up with my credit card imprint and a declaration of warranty printed and signed on the stores letterhead (but no actual "receipt").
The service center suggested that the paper I had was just a document and had no relevance to the monitors.
When I got home, I read the warranty document that Benq had actually included inside the box with the monitors. It had a different story:
"If you cannot provide the original purchase receipt (sales receipt), the warranty period will be based on the manufacturing date-code shown on the monitor."
The date code shown on both monitors is May, 2005.
I was in luck. The written warranty from Benq provided with the monitor made it clear that since the manufacturing date was less than 3 years, they'd fix it.
I emailed the BenQ Latin America Corp, Service Department in Miami asking them to stand up to their written warranty. What I idiot I am!
I was told: "Also, be advice that our region's policy is not the same for other regions (i.e.: USA, Canada, Europe, etc.) You can find our warranty policy at our website. http://latam.benq.com"
A nice little bait and switch to screw the customers in Latin America. Include a printed warranty with the product and when you want service, refer them to a website that offers a different warranty.
I now have an US$880 or so pile of junk if I have any hopes of retriving it from the so-called service center.
Benq is certainly on my personal boycott list and I hope yours too.
Index for