Get Quotes from Top TV Repair Services in Columbus, OH
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a TV Repairman in Columbus
Why risk further damaging your malfunctioning TV with incorrect DIY attempts and subsequently costing yourself hundreds of dollars in avoidable expenses when you can call a professional TV repair technician to resolve the problem swiftly and efficiently? For an average rate of $25.25 per hour, excluding the cost of parts, a good TV repair technician can:
- Expertly troubleshoot issues with your TV
- Save you money on immediate replacements
- Guarantee that genuine parts are used for repairs
- Offer warranties for their services and also protect your TV's existing warranty
You can find qualified and experienced TV repair technicians in Columbus who offer their services professionally, competently, and without any hidden costs or fees by asking the following questions:
- 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 Columbus
Do You Repair All Types of TVs?
Any TV repair technician who intends to fix your faulty TV needs to be knowledgeable about its make and model, particularly as it concerns the following essential components:
- Screen Type: TVs generally have either flat or curved screens. Curved screens offer the benefit of providing you with a good view from anywhere in the room, in contrast to flat screens, which typically need you to sit right in front of the TV for this:
- Display Technology: standard TV display technologies include:
- Direct View/Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT): these were the very first commercially available TVs and are usually bulkier than other TVs, with smaller screens and high energy consumption. CRT TVs can be used with any resolution or device, are far less expensive than newer-generation TVs, and have a greater refresh rate
- Plasma: Compared to CRT TVs, plasma TVs offer sharper and more contrasted images. However, the resulting images for these TVs tend to deteriorate over time. Also, even though plasma TVs are reasonably inexpensive, this kind of technology is regarded as being out-of-date.
- Digital Light Processing (DLP): while these TVs are generally thinner, lighter, and more durable than plasma TVs, many TV manufacturers no longer use this type of display technology in their newer models
- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): LCD TVs are slim, lightweight, and energy-efficient. They can, however, have poorer view angles and slower refresh and response rates than CRT and plasma TVs
- Light Emitting Diode (LED): LED TVs provide clearer and better images than LCD TVs and use even less power. However, they also cost more than LCD TVs. Recent iterations of this technology, like OLED, QLED, and AMOLED TVs, offer even better visuals than those of standard LED TVs with lower energy consumption.
- Additional Features: these comprise brand and model-specific features, such as Ultra-High Definition, High Dynamic Range, Smart TV/internet connectivity, and Voice Activation
Always verify that the TV repair technician you select is familiar with the specific brand and model of TV you own and can expertly fix any problems. Getting a written agreement for your required services before any repair work is started is also a good idea.
Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?
Several brands of TVs are readily available in Columbus, including:
Brand | Highlights | Drawbacks | Calling Card |
---|---|---|---|
Samsung | Impressive TV quality 4K & 8K options Smart TV options |
Pricey | QLED and QD-OLED |
Sony | Great sound and picture quality HDR and Smart TV options are readily available Eco-friendly |
Pricey | Cognitive Processor XR Chip and Mini-LED |
LG | Sleek designs Affordable models Smart TV options |
No HDR 10+ support | OLED |
Hisense | Great value at low prices Sizes of up to 100" available |
Processing issues | Variety |
TCL | Roku and Google compatible Up to 8K Affordable options |
Processing and picture quality may not be up-to-par with pricier models | Value |
Vizio | Affordable 4K resolutions |
OS may lag and be buggy | Quantum |
Even though professional TV repair technicians in Columbus are usually skilled enough to work on a broad range of TV brands, you should always verify your preferred technician's area of specialization, as this ensures satisfactory service delivery. To this end, make sure that any technician you intend to hire is conversant with your TV's make, model, screen type, display technology, and other pertinent specs and features before committing to them.
Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?
Depending on usage, many modern TV brands typically last between 30,000 and 100,000 hours or 10 to 15 years. While it is usually less expensive to fix your broken TV than to replace it within this timeframe, there are some situations where replacement is the better choice. These include:
- The TV is older than ten years
- You have fixed the particular problem at least twice
- The panel is the issue
- There is a hardware problem with the TV
- The TV is physically damaged
One reason you should always call on professionals when dealing with TV-related problems in Columbus is that they are more likely to let you know from the jump whether the TV can be repaired or if you need to replace it. You can also decide if your TV needs to be fixed or replaced and protect yourself from being duped by dishonest TV repair technicians who are just interested in collecting diagnostic and service fees by doing the following:
- Troubleshooting: go through the TV's user manual and manufacturer's website to see if they offer any information on the problem and how to resolve it
- Research costs: many professional TV repair technicians in Columbus provide free initial cost estimates, and you can get and compare rates from up to three of them. You can also look up cost estimates for fixing the TV online and compare these to the price of getting a new one.
- Miscellaneous factors: considerations like moving into a newly completed or renovated home may compel you to buy a brand-new TV rather than repair a faulty one
Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?
You can ascertain a TV repairer's capacity to provide satisfactory services by determining if they have received technical training and holds necessary professional certifications. Competent and experienced TV repair technicians in Columbus usually complete formal training programs and obtain certifications from several organizations. These include internationally recognized associations like the International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians and the Electronics Technicians Association International and regional trade schools like Scioto County Career Technical Center, Ohio Technical College, and Edison State Community College.
Note that you should always verify whatever qualifications your intended TV repairer claims to have. Additionally, make sure that they can reach the manufacturer of your TV brand directly and receive technical support from them as necessary.
Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?
With many Americans using their TVs for up to seven hours every day, knowing how quickly your faulty TV will be fixed will help you work around the inconvenience these types of problems typically cause. Some of the most common TV issues encountered by residents of Columbus include:
- TV shuts down on its own
- No sound or picture
- Audio or video is out of sync
- Images do not fit the screen
- Images are out of proportion
- Dark and dull pictures
- Snowy picture quality
- Displays distorted images
- Displays lines on the screen
- Colors are blanching or leaking
- Grayed-out screen
- No longer responds to remote
- The channel refuses to change
- Loses internet connection
Even though many of these issues can usually be fixed in less than a few hours, you should always confirm this with your TV repair technician. Also, find out if the TV can be fixed at home or has to be taken to the technician's shop for repairs. TV repairs that typically have to be done at the technician's workshop and may take more than a few hours, or even several days, to complete usually include hardware-related issues like
- Fried circuit board replacements
- TV panel replacements
- Broken screen replacements
- Dead motherboard replacements
Consider it a red flag if the TV repair technician you are considering for the job is reluctant to provide a timeline for the completion of the repairs or a cost estimate for the fees you might incur if these repairs take longer than a day.
Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?
TV repair technicians do not require local or state-issued occupational licenses to ply their trade in Columbus. However, these technicians must comply with certain requirements before conducting business in the city. These requirements include
- Registering with the Ohio Secretary of State
- Obtaining a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Complying with all relevant state and local tax obligations
- Providing employee information to the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center and providing proof of compliance with state-mandated workers' compensation insurance requirements, where necessary
You can get additional information on the requirements for conducting business in Columbus and assistance in complying with these requirements by contacting the Columbus Economic Development Division at (614) 645-8616.
What Other Related Services Do You Provide?
In addition to troubleshooting and fixing faulty TVs, many professional TV repair technicians in Columbus are equipped to provide other types of electronics-related services, like
Always verify whether your TV repair technician offers any of the additional electronics repair services you require and confirm that they have the necessary experience and expertise to do so effectively. Also, make sure that you agree on the cost of these services before any work starts. Note that these costs largely depend on the electronic device or appliance's type, make, and model that needs fixing.
Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?
While experience, proper training, and certification are important qualifications to look out for in Columbus-based TV repairers, ensuring that genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) TV parts are used for the job is equally vital. This is because, even though OEM parts are typically more expensive than generic ones, these higher prices are outweighed by benefits like
- High quality and durability
- Better compatibility with your TV
In addition, using OEM parts for TV repairs ensures you do not void your warranty. Note that the delivery of the necessary parts can take anywhere from a few hours to four or five business days, depending on factors like availability and the supplier's location. Also, be aware that your TV repairer might not always be able to locate original equipment manufacturer OEM parts for your TV, especially if the TV manufacturer has halted the production of the TV's particular make and model. In situations like this, you may end up using generic parts for the repair.
Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?
A warranty assures you that your requested service was carried out professionally and with high-quality parts. As such, you should consider it a red flag if the TV repair technician you are considering for the job says that they do not offer warranties or seem hesitant to. Note that the defects and damages covered by TV warranties vary depending on the TV repair technicians that offer them and the make and model of the TV in question. Nevertheless, most TV warranties are usually valid for up to one year and do not typically cover defects that are caused by:
- Normal wear and tear
- Improper installation
- Misuse and improper maintenance
- Power line surges
- Vandalism or natural disasters
- Shipment-related damages
- Cosmetic damages
It is advisable to reach out to your TV manufacturer for recommendations to pre-approved TV repair technicians within your locality to fix any covered defects or faults it develops if your TV is still under warranty. Note that the TV may need to be sent back to the manufacturer for these repairs or a total replacement, depending on the nature of the issue.
Also, some big-name electronics retailers like Walmart, Micro Center, and Best Buy offer extended protection plans that provide added protection for damages typically not covered by manufacturer's warranties. It should be noted that the retailer offering the extended protection plan sets its terms and coverage areas, just like manufacturer and technician-issued warranties.
Listed below are some benefits and drawbacks of purchasing an extended protection plan for your TV:
Pros of Extended Protection Plans | Cons of Extended Protection Plans |
---|---|
Provides additional coverage for TVs | Can be quite expensive |
Can be used after the original manufacturer's warranty expires | Cost is not usually justified for low-end TVs |
Offers extra peace of mind | Repairs covered usually cost less than the actual plan |
Request written copies of any warranties you are offered. Ensure that you properly study them to understand their terms and conditions and refrain from doing anything that can void them.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the Columbus
Complaints concerning bad TV repair services in Ohio are typically handled at the state level by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
With unsatisfactory professional services ranking amongst the top complaint-generating categories in the Columbus area, it is crucial to be on the lookout for fraudulent TV repairers who attempt to con unsuspecting consumers through ruses like:
- Claiming the TV is irreparably damaged and has to be replaced, then stripping the TV for parts
- Insisting on being paid in full before doing any work
- Using generic parts for the repair despite charging for OEM ones
- Intentionally damaging unaffected components of the TV or discovering non-existent issues and charging extra to fix them
- Lying about their qualifications
Taking the following precautions when searching for professional TV repair services in Columbus can help you avoid becoming a victim of these ruses:
- Ask for free initial inspections and cost estimates from up to three different technicians and compare these estimates before committing to any of them
- Check your preferred technicians' complaint history via the Ohio Attorney General's Search Consumer Complaints platform. You can also look up the technicians online via third-party review websites like Yelp, Google Review, and the Better Business Bureau
- Always validate any certifications the technician claims to hold
- Confirm that you will be given a warranty for your requested services and a receipt for any parts that are bought and used for the repair
- Never pay the total cost of the repair in advance, and do not hire any technician who suggests this
You can file complaints against fraudulent TV repair technicians or any other matters concerning unsatisfactory services and deceptive business practices in Columbus with the Ohio Attorney General's Office online, by calling (800)282-0515, or by mailing a consumer complaint form to
Consumer Protection Section30 E. Broad Street
14th floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3400
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 Columbus