Bought TV, didn't open box for six weeks, is smashed. What now?

[MummytoMog]

We bought a new TV, direct from manufacturer, but as we've been having building work, we didn't open it, but left it in the box, nice and safe in storage. Builders/kids/us have been nowhere near it since it arrived, just (STUPIDLY) took it upstairs without opening it. Got it out last night to watch GoT as a sort of whoopee the builders are gone and we have a new telly moment, and it's smashed to smithereens. I've emailed the manufacturers, but I'm really really worried they'll say that we must have done it and we absolutely cannot afford to buy another new tv (kids smashed the last one, so we stretched to buy this on the credit card). OH is convinced manufacturers will be fine, but looking at it from their point of view, we could have done it at any point in the last six weeks. I'm stupidly upset about it (pregnant and hormonal) and have no idea what to do if they do refuse to replace it. :(

Any helpful suggestions for an idiot?

if you bought it on the credit card you may have protection from them. You may also have something on your house insurance.

also do make sure you prevent the kids smashing the next one - new TVs are light enough for kids to pull over and MUST be fixed to the wall or a stand.

Yes, we had a wall stand all ready to go for it, although the last one got smashed by an angry three year old throwing the remote at it, which is a bit indefensible against (although three year old has been spoken to sharply about it).

Then my sister gave us her old one, which promptly blew up, we thought maybe due to plaster dust, which is why we didn't open the new one until the builders were out of our hair. I just feel like SUCH an idiot for not checking it. Will look at credit card now, but suspect our house insurance has quite a high excess and wouldn't be worth it.

I suspect you may not get anywhere with the manufacturer as there is probably some bit of small print that says you must check for faults immediately on delivery (like anyone ever does this while the delivery people are still there ) - unless of course it got delivered by Yodel or some such. Most likely everyone will try to pass the buck. Credit card protection may be your best bet if house insurance excess is too high.

Natwest, so no protection. Crap. Off to look at the house insurance.

Is the box damaged? Is it possible to spot how the damage might have occurred?

Mummy I'm not sure but the brand of card may not have anything to do with it, if it is definitely a credit card not a debit card, then have a look at this:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

Excess is all but 30 of the TV cost.

I am such a FUCKING idiot. Why didn't I open it? FUCK.

Your credit card will cover you regardless of who it's with

Box isn't damaged. It looks fine. I don't understand how it can have happened, we put it back in the box and you can't get near the screen with it packaged up. Maybe it got dropped? Maybe something heavy (really heavy) got dropped on it?

Sounds like it's been dropped. Especially if you can't see any damage to the box that might show where somethings landed on it.

We did the same thing with dd1s cot. Bought it two months before we needed it. Opened it and it was damaged. Explained to mothercare and they were great about it. Replaced it and took the old one away.

We've just sent back a new radiator under the same circumstances (bought early, took builders 6 weeks to get around to opening/installing it). The company exchanged it with no questions asked. Good luck OP.

Company have initially refused, saying we should have opened it within 24 hours. Have replied nicely, saying that wasn't clear in the emails they sent me and that it is clear from condition of box and TV that we have only just opened it (still has protective film on, remote still in unopened packet etc.) and asked them to refer upwards. We'll see. If it had been a present and not opened for a month I would be even more upset, but I am just blaming myself tbh.

Had a look at the section 75 thing, but can't work out if it would apply to this or not?

Well - that was a turn up for the books. They've agreed to replace it :) As a gesture of goodwill, which is LOVELY. Can I name them or is that not allowed?

Good news!

Ooh yes name them, go on, makes a change to hear a company being commended instead of criticised!

They are Finlux direct :) Had lots of really good online reviews and they're very reasonably priced compared to the big electrical retailers, which is why I ordered with them originally. I will of course make sure I check the TV the minute it's delivered this time!

woo-hoo!

meanwhile keep the remote away from your three year old, and get his name down for the cricket team as it sounds like he has a hell of a right arm!

I hadn't considered cricket remotes will be well out of reach in future, though hoping TV being well up on the wall will help too, as it used to be on quite a low stand, and very reachable by toddlers.