Excellent screen, wouldn't use anything else.

Category: Review on Samsung 305T SyncMaster 30" LCD Monitor

Posted by: 16-Aug-2007

Strengths: Excellent picture. Simple and elegant casing. Height adjustment. Outstanding value for money.

Weaknesses: Cannot rotate 90 degrees for portrait view. Blue power light on the front cannot be turned off for watching movies.

I was very happy with this screen, however without warning or provokation whatsoever (actually I wasn't even home, have no pets, and have surge protection), my 305T suddenly started showing a entire vertical line (1600 pixels worth) of yellow toward the left-hand side of the monitor. No amount of restarting or changing screen modes could fix it.

Monday 30th of July

I called Samsung (1300 362 603) but couldn't reach the IT department. Another staff member took a message to get an IT staff member to call back - I left both my mobile and home number but didn't get a call back.

Wednesday 1st of August

Exactly the same scenario as Monday differing only in the offered 'urgency' in the message left with the IT department, but still no-one called me back.

Friday 3rd of August

I got through to someone in the IT department and told them of my screen's problem (and that this was my 3rd phone call). They took all my details and serial number, etc and told me someone would call me back 'early next week'. I got a reference number (4001440500), but no-one called me back.

Thursday 9th of August

I got through to someone in the IT department again and explained this was my 4th phone call regarding the issue. I gave the support guy my reference number and was told the reason for the delay was availability of (Samsung 305T) stock and that he would send an email to someone to give me a call back.

Friday 10th of August

Received a call to my mobile and was told I would get another call (and possibly a visit) on Wednesday (15th of August).

Wednesday 15th of August

Got a call from Samsung stating that they have a replacement monitor in stock and will deliver it tomorrow (Thursday 16th August). The rep double-checked my home address and also asked that I pack up my old monitor for collection on Tuesday (21st of August).

Thursday 16th of August

The 'new' monitor arrived. Immediately I got an uneasy feeling because the box looked old and had been re-taped. I thought it may have been a used one. Upon opening the box I found pieces of broken foam packaging, and other parts of the packaging torn. Cables were tied with regular rubber bands, instead of in sealed plastic.

After seeing all that, the actual monitor surprised me - there was not a scratch or a spec of dust on it; It did *look* brand new. Pity they couldn't spare a few cents on new packaging for it.

Now it's running and seems fine. However I'm still looking at it with suspicion, all because of the old packaging. A new box probably would have made all the difference to a happy customer.

I called Samsung about the issue and they said that there is no guarantee that your replacement monitor will be brand new, however the units they send out are refurbished by Samsung and quality tested for about a week before they are used as replacement stock. Anyway, it looks and acts like a brand new one, and it's still under warranty for another 2 and a half years, so I'm happy now.

And I still rate this screen very highly. I wanted to rate this 9.5 out of 10, but had to pick 9 or 10.