Customer Reviews

BenQ 17" LCD Monitor

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought a BenQ 17" Monitor for my personal use at home. The BenQ monitor was selected more for price than for performance; as I really only need good text display in my application, and I am not particularly concerned about high speed graphics.

When the monitor arrived, and after it was installed and working, I must admit - I was pleasantly surprised. The overall quality of the hardware (fit and finish) was fine; and the screen image was better than I had expected.

However, during my warranty period, one day I was greeted with a pair of white vertical lines running down the entire screen when I switched the monitor on. Knowing from experience that glitches will happen from time to time with any technical component, and assuming a failure in the LCD matrix, I wasn't too worried. It could be easily fixed, or if not fixed, replaced.

I contacted BenQ Tech Support, via e-mail, to find out what to do next. (This was July 11, 2005.)

This is when my first real problem began.

I didn't hear back from BenQ Tech Support for 11 days. When I finally received their e-mail, it said nothing more than that I should call Tech Support. (This was July 22, 2005.)

I then called BenQ Tech Support, and after being disconnected several times, I was finally able to have an intelligent conversation with a BenQ Customer Service Engineer. I was given two options: Repair and Return of my original monitor; or Replacement with a refurbished monitor. I chose replacement, as it was explained that this would be a faster solution. I was then given an RMA Number for the return of my monitor, and was promptly e-mailed a UPS label for pre-paid shipment of the monitor to the BenQ repair facility. I still had the original packaging, and so I dutifully re-packed my monitor. I immediately visited my local UPS store to send the package to BenQ.

Two weeks had so far elapsed since my initial problem with the monitor - a little long in my book - but now everything seemed to be going fine at this point. (This was July 25, 2005.)

This is, however, when my real problem begins.

After nearly three weeks, and still no replacement monitor has arrived at my door, I again call BenQ Technical Support to ask about the status of my monitor. To my surprise, they explain that the monitor was, in fact, shipped on July 29, and delivered August 2. BenQ had never contacted me to tell me that my replacement monitor had been shipped; but still, this might have been good news.

However, the monitor, in fact, had not been delivered; at least not to me.

While still speaking on the telephone, I am told by BenQ Tech Support that I must contact UPS and make a claim. I immediately contact UPS, and am told that I cannot make the claim; the shipper must, in fact, make the claim.

After again speaking with BenQ Technical Support, they indeed agree that they must make the claim, and they will follow up on my 'lost' monitor. (This was August 9, 2005.)

I now wait the appropriate '10 business days' for the claim to be processed. During this time I receive several calls from UPS to discuss the specifics of the 'lost' monitor delivery.

Finally, I again contact BenQ to see what is happening. They say that they know nothing about the claim, but agree to contact UPS. While I am on hold, waiting, they finally return to my call and tell me that UPS has agreed to pay the claim. As soon as they receive payment from UPS, they will ship my replacement monitor. (This was August 23, 2005.)

Today is September 1, 2005. I have been without my BenQ monitor for more than 7 weeks. During this timeframe I have contacted BenQ Technical Support, via telephone, numerous times. Each time I have either been disconnected, or I have waited interminably to speak with a Customer Support Engineer. Not once during this 7 week period has BenQ contacted me - neither via telephone nor via e-mail - to provide me with any information about my monitor.

There are some simple questions any person might ask BenQ:

1.) Why does it take 11 days to respond to a Technical Support e-mail query about a faulty monitor?

2.) When shipping a monitor, why is the customer not informed - so that in the eventuality that something goes amiss, a 'missing shipment can be reported in a timely fashion?

3.) When a shipment is 'lost', why is the customer informed that they must contact the freight company?

4.) When the freight company accepts liability, and agrees to pay for the claim, why does BenQ not ship the replacement monitor, instead of waiting for the actual payment to arrive?

5.) Why is the customer never contacted, during an entire eight week ordeal, to inform him of the status of his 'Warranty' repair/replacement product?

6.) Is it really reasonable for BenQ to expect a customer to wait for 7 weeks for 'Warranty' replacement of a key component of their home computer system?


And... there is one further simple question that any potential buyer of a BenQ product might ask himself:

1.) Is it worth the low initial cost on this product to risk having to deal with BenQ for nearly non-existent Technical Support and 'Warranty' service?

I've asked this question to myself, and the answer is a resounding 'NO!' The answer is 'NO' for me... and for anyone else whom I might speak with about BenQ products.

As Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer for several large corporations, I have, in the past, had the opportunity to approve the purchase of technical equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Never before have I seen such negligence in handling the 'after sale' problem of a customer; and never again will I put myself in the position where I am subjected to such negligence.

I bought this monitor on a whim because it was on sale at about $200 less than usual + my CRT was nearing death after 5 years of use. The sales guy recommended the FP737s to me because BenQ have a great dead pixel warranty (unlike ACER or LG)..basically the warranty states that from the factory there should be zero defects...if you find one in the first seven days from purchase you can arrange for repair or replacement. The monitor i bought had 1 permanently white pixel on the right side of the screen..So when i called BenQ Australia and advised them of this annoying pixel they immediately organised a courier (at no cost to me) to take the monitor away for inspection...2 weeks later they sent me a brand new monitor absolutely defect free and crystal clear. Im a happy customer. If your after good value and decent service..you cant go past this BenQ Monitor.

This was my first LCD purchase, and simply put: I'm thrilled!! This was an excellent replacement to my old 17" CRT. 5 Stars mainly due to value. It's no Sony X-Brite monitor, but for $315 with a 16ms reponse time and DVI, I can't complain. Zero ghosting, fabulous colors - I was hesitant about the BenQ name, but I'm glad I made the plunge.

the bummer about this one is that the screen had a couple of dings in it that I wish I had known about. Other than that it serves it's purpose well as a monitor, and arrived in good condition.

My primary motivation to procure this monitor was one of economics. It is a good value for the money. I was not familiar with the manufacturer's name but I am familiar with Acer. I am very happy with this purchase thus far.

I have a powermac G4 dual proc and it seems to be working fine via VGA input after a few weeks of heavy use. Tried to connect it via DVI but did not work. Don't know if it's the cable I used or if the monitors DVI port is bad etc..

Wont know untill I get another DVI cable to try it with.

Spoke to an computer engineer friend of mine and he suggested the BenQ LCD monitor. What a great monitor!!!! We a thoroughly impressed with BenQ and the screen clarity is awesome. Great buy at a great price!!!!

Excelente monitor, lo recomiendo ampliamente lo compre cuando amazon bajo el precio con envio a 237$, sus caracteristicas por el precio son excelente, la respuesta de 16 ms es perfecta para jugar need for speed underground 2 y medalla de honor asalto pacifico, asi como la posibilidad de usar la conexion DVI. Es cierto que el monitor es demasiado brillante sin embargo eso lo corrigues facilmente por las propiedades de la tarjeta de video, creas varios perfiles y asi puedes ponerlo mas oscuro para las noches.

great monitor for the price, have 12 ms and DVI conector perfect for games(NFSU2 and medal of honor pacific assault). This monitor is very brillant but you can fix that, in the adapter setup you can create many perfil more dark.(Nvidea graphic card have this funtion)