Bought a new Sharp LCD from EBAY... not working... possible causes?

I bought a Sharp LCD TV last week on eBay from someone. The tv is "brand new" in the box... which when I got it, it was. My problem is, that when I was picking it up, I was asking the guy how he could afford to sell it as low as he did ($480) and still make a profit? The guy then tells me he buys and sells truck loads of items that are put on the truck because they have "damaged boxes". On top of me buying it for $480, I'm also due a $144 cash back "rebate" through the live.com. My final cost... $336 plus another $15 for gas to and from to pick it up. Not bad... I thought.

Well, I got home and plugged it in... everything was sealed new. I first turned it on without the tv cable plugged in (so there were no channels, just power). You would expect a black screen... or maybe a menu screen... but there were just some fast moving horizontal lines... kinda like static.

I then plugged in the tv cable and the lines changed slightly, you could hear sound... but that's it.

It's seems to have turned into a very expensive radio. lol

So, would someone confirm what I am thinking?... that the tv box was likely dropped and that the tube is shot?

Or is it not the tube, because there's light in the tv and it's something else?

The lines again are horizontal and mostly on the bottom half of the screen, but do move to the top as well. The lines typically are plentiful and cover most of the bottom half of the screen... they are NOT spread out much.

Is the tv pretty much beyond repair... without wasting hundreds of dollars?

Thanks in advance for any answers you might offer.

Oh... not that it matters, but the tv is a: Sharp LC-37SH20U ...LCD 37" tv

Oh... not that it matters, but the tv is a: Sharp LC-37SH20U ...LCD 37" tv

Have you contacted the seller there is no tube the LCD is a panel and if it's damaged it's not a rebuildable item get a replacement as I said but be sure you try it when you pick it up..if you have a problem contact Ebay maybe they can provide you with some protection especially if you used PAYPAL I hope this helps.

Have you contacted the seller there is no tube the LCD is a panel and if it's damaged it's not a rebuildable item get a replacement as I said but be sure you try it when you pick it up..if you have a problem contact Ebay maybe they can provide you with some protection especially if you used PAYPAL I hope this helps.

So the lines that go horizontal cannot be "adjusted"?

I just want to make sure there isn't some easy fix is all. You know.. like on the old tv's where you'd simply use the "vert" button.

Thanks for responding... I am listening, just making sure of all options. I got the tv for such a good price (and I don't believe the people that sold it really knew it was broken)... but they knew that it was a possibility I'm sure.

As Rizz said thre is no tube on a LCD. If you can get your money back.

Is there any kind of warranty with the tv? I wouldn't settle for a new tv that didn't work, no matter how good of a deal I got. I seriously doubt there is an easy fix. If the tv is new, the seller should replace it.

As Rizz said thre is no tube on a LCD. If you can get your money back.

Thanks... I can get my money back. I was just making sure there wasn't some easy fix that someone here knew about is all.

I just looked on the Sharp site for trouble shooting as suggested by someone on the other thread.

Thanks for the help... I'll just return it.. maybe they'll have another. Next time I'll make sure to open it up there. I just didn't want to inconvenience them by opening up that big box and making a mess there. But I would have saved three stinking hours of driving.

Is there any kind of warranty with the tv? I wouldn't settle for a new tv that didn't work, no matter how good of a deal I got. I seriously doubt there is an easy fix. If the tv is new, the seller should replace it.

Thanks for responding... I'm just going to return it to them. It's not as if I have to worry. I bought it on eBay and paid with PayPal. If they give me any crap, all I have to do is file a complaint with PayPal... then they have to prove that they shipped me the TV... which they didn't do and I'll get all my money back and I've still got the tv.

I'm not going to do that... but if they start messing around, I've got the upper hand.

Thanks.

Is there any kind of warranty with the tv?

Interestingly enough, there was a warranty card inside with the unopened tv instruction booklet.

I would assume, that the tv's warranty would be void because I didn't buy this at a store or "authorized dealer"... but maybe? Should I call Sharp and try?

Or perhaps I should buy the "Square Trade" warranty if they offer it?

Man did I leave my beer over here.http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj171/hdtvjunkie_2008/most%20used%20pictures/hide.gif

Hey Chiro, if you get bored, come back to the bar and grill and hang out with us, first beer is on me.

Eeps... Hey: They KNEW!

Sounds like the backlight & some circuitry is working. If you're stuck with this (fight like heck to undo the deal... even $350 is too much if you can't even use it as a night light) open up the back... it could very well be that the drop has dislodged a circuit board, or some obvious fix.. but the chances are good that some of the panel wires have been mangled. You might try Sharp for service, but I suspect you'll end up paying big $.. forget the "Square Trade" warranty, that's a gimmick that will net you a loss.

Check the box very carefully... this is not the first time this unit has been out of the box.

Hi guys... thanks for all the BEER!!!!!!!!!

That's a ton of great beer.

I was just registering my tv that was a "gift". I filled everything out... and it closed by saying... thanks for registering it.

You think I wait a few days, then call and say it wasn't working? Say I just got it as a gift?

Could THAT it possibly work?

Is there any kind of warranty with the tv?

Interestingly enough, there was a warranty card inside with the unopened tv instruction booklet.

I would assume, that the tv's warranty would be void because I didn't buy this at a store or "authorized dealer"... but maybe? Should I call Sharp and try?

Or perhaps I should buy the "Square Trade" warranty if they offer it?


I'm glad the link helped you. You know alot of resellers keep the warrenty intact. Call Sharp, they may come, and replace it, and pay for the shipping. Just make sure the person you bought it from is authorized to sell Shap hdtvs

Hope this helps

Hi guys... thanks for all the BEER!!!!!!!!!

That's a ton of great beer.

I was just registering my tv that was a "gift". I filled everything out... and it closed by saying... thanks for registering it.

You think I wait a few days, then call and say it wasn't working? Say I just got it as a gift?

Could THAT it possibly work?


I would just call them tomorrow, why put off tomorrow what you can today, ya feel me?

I would just call them tomorrow, why put off tomorrow what you can today, ya feel me?

I agree with gymbrat just contact the seller IO'm sure Sharp will insist on some sort of proof of purchase don't waste time contact seller tomorrow and exchange it.
Da Rizz http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk225/IMRIZZO/ththbeestenplaatjesphpaa.gif