I bought the TV set KDL52XBR5 in January of 2008. In July of this year the TV all of a sudden starting having issues. Vertical bars appear in the middle of the screen followed by double imaging. It was so bad that viewing is impossible. I contacted Sony technical support. They said that nothing that they can do because the guarantee period has expired. I mean, common. Who would expect a TV set to go bad in two years to think of buying extended warranty. That is ridiculous.

I then called Sony customer relation. After a few calls they said, ok, have Sony authorize dealer do a physical estimate of the issue and fax it in to them for an evaluation of the problem. I went and paid $100 to get a physical estimate done. Faxed it to Sony (fax #:239-768-7816). Nearly two weeks never heard back from Sony. 10/1/10 I called Sony customer relation and talked to a representative named Bryan. He was not very helpful at all. I asked him to let me talk to a different person and he wouldn't let me. He said basically the decision was made by him. I asked for a supervisor or manager and he said there is nobody. He told me that Sony decided that the cost of fixing the defective TV is too high so they will not fix it. Instead they offered me a discount on a different TV set for $600 less. Seriously. They offered me a lesser quality TV (model KDL55EX710) worth $2100 retail. They said I have to pay them $1475 for this offer. They also said I have one week to decide on this offer. Remember I paid $3900 for the original set now is a lemon. And now they want me to pay nearly $1500 more?

Really? Sony. This is what you can do for your customers? This is wrong and unethical business practice. You have to stand by the products that you make. You have to take care of your customers when there are issues. A company as big as yours should not take advantage from innocent people like us. We paid for your service and we should deserve for such service. The TV that I bought, your compnay made, was an apparent defect. You acknowledged that but you would not want to stand by it. I am very disappointed of your unethical practice standard.

I am putting this out so that others can see the dirty business Sony is operating. I will never buy another product made by Sony. They're really disappointed me.