Get Quotes from Top TV Repair Services in Oklahoma City, OK
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a TV Repairman in Oklahoma City
Most modern TVs last about four to six years before developing significant faults. So, it can be surprising to notice your TV is showing off fading image quality, power trips, screen lines, or other signs of a faulty TV set. While it may be tempting to try fixing these faults yourself, hiring a professional repair technician is in your best interest, especially if the TV is still under warranty. Some of the benefits that come with hiring a professional include:
- You save yourself some time and can avoid the stress of fixing it yourself
- You get to preserve your warranty
- You can avoid common repair hazards like electrocution and bruises
- Your TV gets repaired to your satisfaction, and you get maintenance tips specific to your TV type
TV repairs require technical considerations; even your prospective technician must have the necessary expertise, skill, and insurance. To confirm this technician is fit for the job, they should be able to answer the following questions satisfactorily:
- Do You Repair All Types of TVs?
- Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?
- Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?
- Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?
- Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?
- Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?
- What Other Related Services Do You Provide?
- Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?
- Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the Oklahoma City
Do You Repair All Types of TVs?
You should always confirm your preferred TV repairman has adequate experience and skill to work on your TV type and model. This is to avoid technical errors that may cause more damage and hike repair time and cost. Some of your TV features a repairman ought to be familiar with include:
- Screen Type: Although most TVs come with flat screens, a handful also have curved screens. While flat screens are popular for their better viewing angle, wall-mounting feature, and availability, curved-screen TVs generally have decent aesthetic appeal and an immersive viewing experience.
- Technology Types: Some of the well-known TV technologies include:
- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TV: This type has a thin and lightweight build and mostly comes with a flat-screen. It produces bright images and consumes little energy. However, LCD TVs have slow refresh rates and do not offer the best viewing angles.
- Direct View (DV) TV: Although they are large-sized, consume a lot of energy, and have smaller screens, this TV type is generally cheaper, has a good refresh rate, and has decent connectivity options. They are also one of the earlier TV generations and can pass as a vintage product.
- Digital Light Processing (DLP) TV: DLP TVs are popular for their light weight, good 3D projection compatibility, and awesome picture quality. The drawback of this TV type is that viewing quality reduces when viewed from angles.
- Plasma TV: This type offers high-resolution displays, has a splendid frame response, and comes in large screens. Nonetheless, Plasma TV problems include high energy consumption and screen burn-ins. Production of Plasma TVs has also been discontinued.
- Light Emitting Diodes (LED) TV: These TVs are energy-efficient, have high-quality image output, an improved angle-viewing experience, and impressive refresh rates. LED TVs offer robust options with wide-ranging screen sizes and technologies but are usually more expensive than most other TV types.
- Extra Features: These include voice activation, internet connectivity, high dynamic range, and availability of connection ports.
If you are uncertain about your repairman's expertise, ask them about their work experience, referrals from previous clients, or any information that may clear up your uncertainty. Alternatively, find a more experienced and trusted repairman.
Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?
Like most electronic appliances, TV sets have varying features that typically depend on their manufacturers and prevailing technology. For this reason, only a few TV repair technicians are proficient in handling various TV brands. This makes it crucial to confirm the TV brand or type your prospective technician specializes in repairing, if any. Some popular brands of TV include:
Brand | Highlights | Drawbacks | Calling Card |
---|---|---|---|
LG TV | Sleek designs Variety of affordable models |
Has no HDR+10 support | OLED |
Samsung TV | Smart TV options Quality TV build Exceptional image output |
Costly | OLED |
Sony TV | Eco-friendly Superb sound and image quality Available Smart TV options |
Costly | Cognitive Processor XR Chip and mini-LED |
TCL TV | Available, affordable models Up to 8k screen resolution Up to 98" screen size options |
Processing problems | Value |
Hisense TV | 4k options Affordable options |
Image and sound processing problems | Variety |
Vizio TV | Affordable options Up to 4k screen resolution |
Lagging | Quantum |
Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?
In most cases, it is better to repair a TV when it gets faulty, especially if it is relatively new or under warranty. Repair jobs are generally cheaper than getting a new TV, although this will depend on the issue needing repair. Nevertheless, you should consider replacing your TV in any of the following situations:
- The issue still occurs after fixing it several times
- It is an old TV
- There is extensive physical damage
- OS or hardware issues
- Repair costs are on the high side
A professional TV repair technician will help you with more information to decide whether to repair or replace your TV. Most technicians typically advise TV owners to go for replacements in instances where fixing the TV will be too much hassle, especially in situations where it will be difficult to get spare parts or the issues are extensive. For more certainty, it is ideal to get the opinion of at least three technicians.
Other helpful ways to determine whether to repair or replace your TV include:
- Troubleshooting: This includes checking your manufacturer's TV manual and online forums for any information or tips on fixing your faulty TV
- Cost considerations: Find out the difference between the cost of fixing your TV and getting a new one. Some TV repair technicians offer free estimates, but ensure you consider estimates from multiple technicians.
- Other considerations: This includes the stress of moving your faulty TV for repairs against purchasing and setting up a newer one
Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?
Certifications are one of the ways TV repair technicians improve their skills and become proficient at handling various TV brands. They are crucial, and it is best to hire certified technicians or engage a repair company with such professionals, especially if their certification relates to your TV brand or type.
Certified technicians typically need to undergo extensive training on TV technicalities, handle repair projects, pass training assessments, and participate in continued education to obtain and retain their certification. Some certifications require technicians to undergo character assessment and customer service training. Therefore, certified technicians are typically more skilled and professional.
TV repair technicians may be factory or industry-certified. Factory-certified technicians undergo training directly with a manufacturer or manufacturer-affiliated organization and may learn about some TV models. Industry-certified technicians obtain their certifications from reputable organizations like the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) and the Electronics Technicians Association (ETA). A technician can be factory and industry-certified. In any case, ensure you verify certification claims with the relevant manufacturer or issuing organization.
Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?
Considering how much watching TV is part of most people's daily routine, it always helps to know how long it will take to fix any fault that may occur. Some common TV faults include the following:
- The TV won't come on
- Colorful lines on the screen
- Distorted or flickering images
- Static noise
- Out-of-sync audio and image
- Poor-fitting images
Although competent TV technicians can fix some of these in a day, this is not always the case. Certain TV faults require extensive repairs that take a few days to complete. If that is the case, ensure your TV repair technician states a specific day the repairs would be completed. Examples of issues requiring extensive repairs include:
- Damaged screens
- Panel issues
- Processor issues
- Faulty motherboards
Avoid technicians who refuse to give specific repair days, as they may deceptively inflate the number of days spent working on your TV to inflate repair bills.
Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?
In Oklahoma City, TV repair technicians are not required to maintain any specific license. Likewise, the City does not have any general license requirements and only requires business licenses for specific types of businesses. TV repair services do not fall under the specific businesses requiring a business license.
You can contact the Business Licensing Unit of the Oklahoma City Department of Development Services at (405) 297-2606 for inquiries on possible registration or licensing requirements. You can also contact the Unit through that number for tips on confirming your preferred repair technician can legitimately do business within city limits.
What Other Related Services Do You Provide?
Besides repairing faulty TVs, Oklahoma City-based TV repair technicians typically perform other services, including:
If you have any faulty electrical appliances in your home, odds are that your TV technician can fix them. However, confirm with the technician whether they have the necessary skills and equipment for the job. Requesting evidence of previous work will be helpful in this regard.
Also, note that the above estimates will vary and depend on the technician. Therefore, ensure to request written estimates from your preferred technician and compare this estimate with at least two others to avoid getting ripped off.
Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?
When fixing faulty TV sets, repair technicians either use generic spare parts manufactured by third parties or genuine spare parts from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This happens when replacements of certain TV parts are necessary. However, between these two spare part types, using genuine spare parts is the better option for many reasons, which include:
- Better quality
- You can contact your manufacturer's support team if you need technical assistance.
- Warranty compliance
- They usually fit perfectly, and you can return them if such is not the case.
Note that not all TV repair technicians use genuine spare parts. This can be due to credible reasons, such as your TV being out of production. However, you should still ensure that you confirm this with your repair technician. Also, genuine spare parts can be more expensive than generic ones, but the benefits mostly outweigh this cost difference.
Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?
Warranties are assurances that your TV repair was professionally and properly done. They are usually in writing and mention what you can do if the warranty turns out false. Examples of what you can do include requesting a new free-of-charge repair or demanding a refund. Therefore, confirm with your TV repair company if their services are covered by warranty, and you should avoid companies that do not offer a warranty for their services or are reluctant to answer warranty questions.
There are also manufacturer warranties, which relate to your TV set and any spare parts procured from the manufacturer. It is the assurance that the TV set and the procured spare parts are durable and will work as they should. Manufacturer warranties typically last for a year, but some may be shorter. Likewise, repair warranties are mostly for three months, but the exact timeframe will depend on the repair company.
Note that not all faults or fixes are covered under warranty, as warranty documents typically exclude the following:
- Depreciation or normal wear and tear
- Natural disaster damages
- Faults resulting from a TV owner's negligence, accident, or poor maintenance
- Damages from failing to follow installation requirements
- Damage from DIY fixes
- Cosmetic or slight damages
Therefore, always ensure any warranty you have is in writing. Likewise, go through the warranty document, note the time frame, scope, and any excluded instances, and ask for clarification before signing off on it.
TV stores sometimes provide extended warranties, which are additional warranties besides the manufacturer or repair warranty that you may have. Although they offer additional protection, they can be expensive. Other pros and cons are listed below:
Pros of Extended Protection Plans | Cons of Extended Protection Plans |
---|---|
They can be helpful after your original warranty expires | You may be assigned a repair company that is not your preferred choice |
Peace of mind | They do not cover all repairs |
They are flexible, and you can get them based on your needs | Necessary repairs may not cost as much as the plan |
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the Oklahoma City
If aggrieved by the actions or conduct of your TV repairer, you can report this professional to the Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) of the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office. This Unit processes and addresses consumer complaints across cities in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City.
Consumer complaints against bad TV repair services are not odd occurrences, as many fraudulent technicians are out there devising means to rip off innocent TV owners looking to repair their TV sets. They often use several tactics, especially:
- Obtaining money for OEM spare parts but using cheaper generic parts
- Intentionally causing damage to the TV set to hike repair fees
- Insisting on advance payments but absconding after the payment
- Estimates padding
- Using false credentials
It is usually difficult to catch these people after they have successfully defrauded anyone they want to, and their victims are left unable to get back their money. Therefore, it is best to avoid them. Some helpful tips to spot and avoid these scammers include:
- Hire only TV repair technicians that you trust and avoid door-to-door technicians
- Obtain estimates from at least three technicians before deciding on any one
- Ask your technicians for customer references or previous work experiences to gauge their skills. Consumer platforms like Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and Yelp may also contain reviews about your technician, and you can check them out.
- Never make advance payments.
- Ensure you have a written contract with the technician
- Hire certified technicians
- Ensure proper record-keeping of documents that relate to the repair service.
- Ask for warranty offers.
- Contact the Business Licensing Unit of the Oklahoma City Department of Development Services at (405) 297-2606 for any clarification regarding whether a repair technician is legit
If you eventually get defrauded, you can still file a consumer complaint with the CPU by submitting a completed consumer complaint form to:
Oklahoma Attorney General's OfficeConsumer Protection Unit
313 Northeast 21st
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
You can also contact the Unit at (405) 521-2029 or via email for assistance or clarifications on filing consumer complaints.
Table of Contents
- Do You Repair All Types of TVs?
- Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?
- Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?
- Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?
- Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?
- Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?
- What Other Related Services Do You Provide?
- Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?
- Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the Oklahoma City