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Lite-On's dark secret?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 23rd 04, 05:39 AM
No Longer a LiteOn Customer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Lite-On's dark secret?

For a long while I thought one can never go wrong with purchasing
Lite-On products. That is why all the CD/DVD drives in my PCs are from
Lite-On (4 of them). So, it was only natural that when time came to
purchase a "consumer type" DVD player, I didn't think twice before
purchasing the Lite-On LVD-2001.

All seemed well, until I discovered that one of the functions is not
working as advertised and I needed Lite-On's customer service... It
has been quite a frustrating experience. They seem to consistently
reply with ambigous and evasive answers. When I finally requested
clear and explicit answers, I never heard from them again...

I ended up filing a complaint with the BBB and I will probably hear
from them soon. But for the benefit of all, I thought you may want to
know who you are dealing with. So, I am posting here my entire
correspondence (to date) with Lite-On customer service, copied
VERBATIM, except for my full name and other personal details.

Enjoy!

Ex-loyal Lite-On customer.


================================================== =================

"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2004/01/04 06:21 PM

I received the unit back on Monday, December 29, 2003.

Assuming that you would not ship back a malfunctioning unit, I eagerly
connected it to my system, expecting to enjoy a perfectly working A-B
function.

However, I was dismayed to discover that the A-B feature in the unit
is still not functional with *audio* CDs. This is despite the fact
that I sent you the unit for repair/replacement specifically for
fixing this problem.

This is also despite the fact that I explicitly and repeatedly
inquired about this "A-B function in audio CDs" problem in three of my
notes, including the very first note I sent you (November 30, 2003).

I am extremely disappointed not only with the fact that I still have
an item that does not work as advertised, but also with the way you
handled this case:

If the A-B feature is supposed to work with audio CDs, why didn't you
state so explicitly? And why didn't you replace my unit with a *fully*
working one (as you promised in your note from December 2, 2003)?

If, on the other hand, you knew all along that that the A-B feature
does not work with audio CDs, why did you instruct me to ship the unit
to you?

I am extremely disappointed with your handling of this case, since it
resulted in not only extra cost and the inconvenience of
unavailability of the player for the holidays, but I also lost the
option of returning the merchandise to the retailer within the 30-day
money-back period.

I request that at a minimum, you fully and explicitly answer my
following questions:
1) What is your diagnosis of my unit? Did you fix anything? If so,
what did you fix?
2) Is the inability to support the A-B function for audio CDs a known
problem with all units or only with my particular unit?
3) If this is a known problem with all units, do you consider this a
bug?
4) Can a firmware update solve the problem?
5) If the answer to (4) is positive, are you planning to release such
an update?

I very much prefer getting straight and clear answers directly from
you. However, if I don't receive satisfying answers within a week, I
will regretfully have to refer the case to consumer agencies and
online consumer rating sites.

Sincerely,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From: ]
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 4:21 PM
To:
ess
Subject: FW: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



Due to service shut down and I am working from a remote site,therefore
I cam unable to send you the tracking #. Please allow a few more days
of transit time due to the holiday seasons.


Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/24 04:34 PM




Could you please email me the tracking number?

Thanks,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 4:05 PM
To:
ess
Subject: FW: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



We have shipped the unit back to you last week. The delay of the
shipment is due to checking the A to B function.

The 7 days returns policy is we will make sure the unit will not sit
in the service center for repair for more than 7 working days. The 7
working days will not include the shipping transit time from our
service center to you.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/23 03:51 PM





Hello again,
Could you please update me regarding the status of the unit? (when
doing so, please address my last question regarding audio CDs as
forwarded below).

Also, I had hoped to receive the DVD player back before the holidays,
since you stated in your original note (see below) "will return all
units in 7 working days". It is almost 2 weeks since you received the
unit and I have yet to receive a notification of shipment back. What
can you do to keep me a satisfied customer?

Thanks,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From: Customer Name ]
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 4:20 PM
To: '
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX


Dear Lite-On Tech Support,
Thank you very much for updating me regarding the status of the unit.
My understanding is that the A-B function should work with *audio* CDs
as well (this feature with audio is most important to me, since I use
it to study music pieces). However, I haven't been able to
successfully use this function with audio CDs. Could you please verify
that this function works?

Thank you,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 9:37 PM
To:
ess
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



Hi Customer,

We got the unit and is under testing now. We found out there is no
problem on regualar dvd movie. but the problem is on MPEG4 disc. We
are checking this function with HQ support. Please allow a few more
days in delay.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/16 06:00 PM




Hello again,
According to FedEx tracking,

http://www.fedex.com/cgi-bin/trackin...glish&last_act
ion=alttrack&ascend_header=1&cntry_code=us&initial =x&mps=y&tracknumbers=

The item was received by you on Dec 12, 2003. I assume that by now you
are close to shipping it back to me (or have already shipped it).

Could you please notify me when you ship it? Also, if possible, I
would appreciate a tracking number.

Thank you,
(customer)


-----Original Message-----
From: ]
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 9:11 PM
To:
ess
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



Wel noted.


Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/06 06:09 PM





I shipped the item yesterday in its original product packaging inside
a larger box for maximum protection during transit.

Per your suggestion I wrote on the RMA form a note regarding the fact
that I shipped *both* the player and the remote control unit, for
verification/replacement.

The item was shipped via FedEx ground, tracking number *************:
http://www.fedex.com/cgi-bin/trackin...glish&last_act
ion=alttrack&ascend_header=1&cntry_code=us&initial =x&mps=y&tracknumbers=

Thank you for your prompt and courteous handling.

(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From: ]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 10:58 PM
To:
ess
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



It does not matter as long as the it will protected the unit.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/04 05:46 PM




Thanks. I will ship both the DVD player and the remote control unit
since it is not clear that both are 100% functional (I did get a
chance to check one of the media adapters and it seems to be working
fine).

I have one more question regarding shipping: Does it matter whether I
ship the player in the original retail packaging? Can I use a
different box (e.g. UPS/USPS supplied) instead? If you do require
shipment in the original retail packaging, will you return it to me as
well?

Thank you,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 12:08 PM
To:
ess
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



If you know the accessories (memory card, cables etc.) are good,
please do not include them,if the accessories are bad, put a note for
the tester to verify.

Include a print out email history will help the Tester verify the
problem faster.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support




"Customer Name"
To:
cc:
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX

2003/12/03 09:06 PM




Thank you so much for your fast reply.

Before I ship the item I have one question: In the instructions below
(#4) it says "No accessories should be included. Any included
accessories will not be returned". What do you mean by "accessories"?
Is the remote control included in that definition? Cables? Memory
media adapters? If the remote control is should *not* be included,
what happens if you discover that the problem is not in the player
itself but rather in the remote?

Thank you,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 11:50 PM
To:
ess
Subject: RMA#:AE00XXXXXXX



(See attached file: 3C0304.doc)

1. Please mark RMA # on the outside of shipping carton.
2. Include a copy of PRINT RMA form with Contact name, Shipping
address, RMA #, Serial #, Model Name. Failure to do so will cause a
delay in return service. 3. Our carrier can only ship to home or
office address. No P.O.Box address is acceptable as a return address.
4. No accessories should be included. Any included accessories will
not be returned. 5. Please do no put any mark on the cover of the
drive or service will be refused as cosmetic damage. 6. If you change
the color of the bezel, it will be considered as cosmetic damage and
service will be refused. 7. Please note all RMA shipment freight
prepaid only. 8. Lite-On (USA) International Inc. reserve the right to
refuse servicing on any units not covered by our warranty policy. 9.
Lite-On (USA) International Inc. will return all units in 7 working
days. 10. This RMA # is valid only within 30 days from the issued
date. 11. Any unclear information will cause a delay without advance
notice. 12. Please ship all RMA units to Lite-On (USA) Service Center
at the address below:

Lite-On (USA) CD-ROM Service Center
726 S.Hillview Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035.

====
From: Customer Name ]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 11:43 PM
To: '
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working

Dear Lite-On Tech Support,
Attached please find the filled-in RMA form.
I would appreciate your speediest handling.

Thank you,
(customer)


-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 10:37 PM
To:
ess
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working



Yes. we will do so.

Please fill-up the RMA form and e-mail the RMA form to
for RMA # and shipping info. The standard
turnaround time to obtian a RMA # is 2 working days and the standard
turnaround time for return service is 7 working days from the date of
received. We can not issue the RMA # unless you provide all the
information on the requested field.

(See attached file: DCE RMA request form End User.doc)

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name" To:
cc:
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working
2003/12/02 07:21 PM



Dear Lite-On Tech Support,
If I return the unit to you and you find out that indeed this
particular unit is defective, will you send me a new non-defective
one?

Thanks,
(customer)


-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 9:26 PM
To:
ess
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working

The only suggest we can provide at this time is returning the unit to
us to double check or your can return it to your re-seller.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support



"Customer Name" To:
cc:
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working 2003/11/30
10:53 AM


Thank you for your reply.
I did use the A-B function properly (according to your description
which is also described in the manual). However, it does not work: the
green LED on the remote control does flash when I press the A-B
button, but the player itself continues playing (regardless whether
its video or music) as if no button was pressed.

Does that mean that my particular unit is defective? If so, please let
me know so that I can return it to the retailer (I am well within the
30-day return policy).

Thank you,
(customer)

-----Original Message-----
From:
]
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 1:45 PM
To: customer
Subject: LVD-2001 A-B function not working

A-B is a repeating function used during playback. You press A-B once
to set point A then again to set point B, then machine will repeat
itself between these two points. TE has verify the function is working
correctly.

Thank you for contacting Lite-On Tech Support. If you reply please
include all previous emails.

Regards,
Lite-On (USA) Tech Support

----- Forwarded by Us Service/MON/LITEONIT on 2003/12/01 10:30 AM
-----

2003/11/30

10:53 AM

Hello,
I just purchased an LVD-2001 DVD player (S/N 21B33500XXXX) and while
its basic function of playing DVDs and music CDs works, the A-B
function doesn't work.

The A-B function in this DVD player was one of the main reasons I
chose the LVD-2001 over other brands, so I was disappointed to
discover that this function is not working (or not implemented yet?).

My warranty card says "before returning this product to the original
purchase location, please contact Lite-On customer service first". I
am therefore contacting you, hoping that you can answer my following
questions:

1) Is this a known problem with all units or only with my particular
unit?
2) Is this function supposed to work with both video and audio or only
with audio CDs? (currently this function doesn't work - neither with
video DVDs nor with audio CDs).
3) Except for returning the unit to original purchase location and
buying a different brand, is there anything you can suggest to solve
the problem? I really like the LVD-2001 and would prefer a firmware
update, for example, than returning it. However, this A-B function is
truly important to me.

Thank you,
(customer)
  #4  
Old January 23rd 04, 10:37 PM
Peter van der Goes
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"No Longer a LiteOn Customer" wrote in message
om...
For a long while I thought one can never go wrong with purchasing
Lite-On products. That is why all the CD/DVD drives in my PCs are from
Lite-On (4 of them). So, it was only natural that when time came to
purchase a "consumer type" DVD player, I didn't think twice before
purchasing the Lite-On LVD-2001.

All seemed well, until I discovered that one of the functions is not
working as advertised and I needed Lite-On's customer service... It
has been quite a frustrating experience. They seem to consistently
reply with ambigous and evasive answers. When I finally requested
clear and explicit answers, I never heard from them again...

I ended up filing a complaint with the BBB and I will probably hear
from them soon. But for the benefit of all, I thought you may want to
know who you are dealing with. So, I am posting here my entire
correspondence (to date) with Lite-On customer service, copied
VERBATIM, except for my full name and other personal details.

snip long story
Face up to it. You made a bad decision *not* to simply return the item to
your retailer. You had that option, and the Lite-On tech even reminded you
of it in his/her second response. You opted for the shipping expense and
time lost. You also opted for low price, which seems to be the way the world
works today. Consequently, you didn't get perfect, red carpet service after
the sale. Given that numerous off-shore electronics manufacturers simply
refuse to deal with retail customers at all, saying warranty service is
between the end user and the retailer, you weren't treated badly at all.


  #5  
Old January 25th 04, 05:47 AM
No Longer a LiteOn Customer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Peter van der Goes" wrote in message news:zugQb.35563$zP6.12372@okepread02...
Face up to it. You made a bad decision *not* to simply return the item to
your retailer.


Yes, you are right. I made a bad decision. I should have returned it
to the retailer, but was lured into thinking that by sending it to the
manufacturer I would get a unit that functions as advertised.

Also, there was big card that came with the product, saying: "Before
returning this product to the original purchase location, please
contact Lite-On customer service first. Qualified Lite-On customer
service representatives can answer any questions you may have".

your retailer. You had that option, and the Lite-On tech even reminded you
of it in his/her second response. You opted for the shipping expense and


You mean this ambigously written response? :
"The only suggest we can provide at this time is returning the unit to
us to double check or your can return it to your re-seller."

of it in his/her second response. You opted for the shipping expense and
time lost. You also opted for low price, which seems to be the way the world
works today. Consequently, you didn't get perfect, red carpet service after


Correct. A lesson learned. Perhaps others can learn from this lesson,
too. If only I could find a refence like this thread *before* I made
the purchase...

the sale. Given that numerous off-shore electronics manufacturers simply
refuse to deal with retail customers at all, saying warranty service is
between the end user and the retailer, you weren't treated badly at all.


I disagree. A warranty is a warranty. If the manufacturer specifically
and explicitly requires end users to contact him directly, then he
should behave accordingly.
  #6  
Old January 25th 04, 05:55 AM
No Longer a LiteOn Customer
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

bb wrote in message . ..
Hear from who? FYI, the BBB is a waste of time and effort. They have
no power to do anything except keep records of complaints.


15 years ago I remember the BBB was very helpful. Has this changed?

In the future NEVER send something to the factory for repair if you
are able to return it for an exchange or refund.


Thanks for the advice. I will certainly follow it.
  #7  
Old January 25th 04, 06:34 AM
Rick Pali
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"No Longer a LiteOn Customer" wrote:

A warranty is a warranty. If the manufacturer specifically
and explicitly requires end users to contact him directly, then he
should behave accordingly.


I think that was your mistake. The enclosed card telling you to call support
rather than return the unit is not a 'requirement' because they have no way
to enforce it. It's merely a suggestion they rely on the reader to impose
upon themselves.

The way I look at it, usual warranty procedure can involve replacing a
defective unit with a referb. Since I didn't buy a referb, I'm not going to
RMA a unit within the store's return policy. I'll call support, but only for
information...nothing more. If that information doesn't fix the problem,
back it goes.

Rick.
-+---

http://www.alienshore.com/seeking/


  #8  
Old January 25th 04, 10:02 AM
Nhmiller
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Like most consumers, you are not even trying to communicate with the store,
just because the return period has expired. I would be surprised if the store
did not exchange the unit for you. I have had similar experiences, where there
are extenuating circumstances far beyond yours, and because I presented my case
properly, the store manager agreed. Second, you can call the credit card
company (I hope you paid by credit card -- always a wise thing to do) and have
this charge disputed for your very good reasons -- even though you already paid
for it from the statement it was on. The credit card companies allow some
months for this procedure, and it only takes a phone call. BUT!! THIS IS A
LAST RESORT!! - do this only after contacting the store for a refund, which I
am certain will work.

Neil The Consumer Advocate

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com
 




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