Get Quotes from Top TV Repair Services in Philadelphia, PA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a TV Repairman in Philadelphia

About one-third of Americans rely on their televisions to get important information and news. Although televisions are essential to American life, they can also develop issues due to regular usage, improper use, and factory defects. Fortunately, some TV repair technicians in Philadelphia can professionally diagnose your faulty TV, repair and help you save money on outright replacements.

To this end, if you have a problem with your television, you can find reputable repair services that can diagnose and fix it using genuine components by asking the following question:

Do You Repair All Types of TVs?

Before hiring a TV repair technician in Philadelphia, make sure that they have the necessary knowledge about the brand and model of the device they will be dealing with, especially key components like:

  • Screen Type: Modern televisions come in various types, such as curved or flat screens. While a flat-screen requires you to sit in front of the TV to get the best possible view, curved screens allow you to enjoy a better view from anywhere in the room.
  • Technology Type: standard TV technologies include:
    • Direct View/Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT): First introduced commercially, CRT televisions are typically bulky and consume a lot of energy. Compared to new-generation models, they are cheaper, have better refresh rates, and can work with various devices.
    • Plasma: Compared to tube TVs, plasma models offer better image quality but tend to deteriorate over time. Although they are relatively cheap, plasma sets are considered outdated.
    • Digital Light Processing (DLP): These are often lighter and more durable than plasma models. However, most TV brands don't use this technology in their newer models.
    • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): These are slim, energy-efficient, and light. They also tend to have slower response times and a poor view angle.
    • Light Emitting Diode (LED): Despite their better image quality, these are still more expensive than LCD models. New-generation models with this technology, such as OLED and QLED, deliver even better picture quality and consume less power.
  • Extra Features: These include various features that are brand-specific, such as Voice Activation, Internet connectivity, and Ultra-High Definition.

You should hire a TV repairman who is experienced in handling and resolving issues related to the brand and model of your device. You should also get a written contract or agreement before any work begins.

Do You Deal with All the Brands of TV?

You can easily find a variety of TV brands in Philadelphia, such as

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

When hiring a TV technician, ensure your preferred professional has the necessary knowledge to install and configure your TV before you agree to a deal. In the Philadelphia area, a qualified TV repair professional can handle most major brands of televisions, regardless of their operating technologies and models. Having the proper technicians who can fix your TV's specific brand and type is very important to guarantee a high-quality service experience.

Can You Advise if I Repair or Replace My TV?

Contemporary TV models typically last around 30,000 to 100,000 hours or 10 to 15 years of regular use. Although it is usually cheaper to repair a faulty device rather than replace it, there are some situations where a new one might be the better option, especially if replacing it is better. For instance, if:

  • The TV's panel is the issue
  • The TV is older than ten years
  • The TV has been physically damaged
  • There is a hardware problem with the TV
  • The TV has been fixed for that particular problem at least twice.

Finding a reputable and trustworthy repair service in Philadelphia is important when dealing with a TV issue. They are in a better position to tell you whether the problem can be fixed or if you need to get a new one.

Also, before you agree to work with a repair service company, make sure that they thoroughly inspect your TV and explain the issue in detail. Also, avoid getting ripped off by a technician who only wants to charge you for the service and diagnostic work by taking the following steps:

  • Troubleshooting: You can check the manufacturer's website or TV's user manual for more details on the issue and possible ways to fix it.
  • Research costs: Before you hire a professional TV repair service in Philadelphia, it is important that you thoroughly research their services. Professional Philadelphia-based TV repair companies provide free estimates, and you should compare their prices with those of other companies.
  • Miscellaneous considerations: Buying a new TV may be the best option if you plan to move into a new home.

Are All Your Repair Experts Certified?

When choosing a TV repairman, ensuring they have the necessary professional certification will allow you to assess if they are a good fit for the job. Technicians in Philadelphia who are experienced in TV repair usually go through various training programs. These include reputable organizations such as:

  • Electronics Technicians Association International
  • International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians

Make sure that your preferred TV repair technician has the necessary credentials. Also, ensure they have a direct line with the manufacturer of your brand's products. Also, make sure that the repairman you hire has direct contact with the TV brand's manufacturer. The manufacturer should be able to provide technical assistance when needed.

Do You Offer Same-Day Repair Services?

Americans use their televisions for about four hours every day. Knowing how quickly your TV will be fixed is important to help you plan for the inconvenience caused by its fault. Here are some common issues that people experience with their televisions in Philadelphia:

  • No sound or picture
  • Images do not fit the screen
  • Images are out of proportion
  • Dark and dull pictures
  • Grayed-out screen
  • Displays distorted images
  • It shuts down on its own
  • Displays lines on the screen
  • Audio or video is out of sync
  • No longer responds to remote
  • Colors are blanching or leaking
  • Loses internet connection

Even though most of your television's issues may be minor, speaking with a repairman about them is important. Typically, your TV repairman may be able to help you fix your faulty TV in your home, or they may need to be taken to a shop. Most repairs that can only be done at the shop are more time-consuming and require multiple visits. The following repairs may take more than a day:

  • Fried circuit board replacements
  • TV panel replacements
  • Broken screen replacements
  • Dead motherboard replacements

Before you agree to work with a repairman, make sure they give you a definite time frame for the work they will perform and an estimate of the costs they will charge you. Note that you may incur additional charges if the service is more than a day.

Do You Hold the Relevant License for TV Repair Technicians?

Philadelphia's TV repair technicians do not need an occupational license to operate. However, they still need to obtain a business license to offer their services in the city legally. This process can be done through the Philadelphia Department of Business and Self-Employment. Those who wish to apply for a license can do so through the city's business service portal. In addition, the TV repair company must obtain an Employer's Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service.

Regardless of whether the business is a sole proprietorship or a partnership, all business owners must register with the city for a business tax account. To do so, an applicant can complete an application online via the Philadelphia Tax Center or mail their business tax account application form to the Philadelphia Department of Revenue.

PO Box 1600
Philadelphia, PA 19105-1600

Alternatively, applicants can submit the completed form In person at:

Municipal Services Building
Concourse Level
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

In addition, all Philadelphia businesses must apply for a Commercial Activity License (CAL) from the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections. To apply for this license online, an applicant must have a city business tax account number. Finally, all Philadelphia businesses must register with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania online through its Department of Revenue.

If you have questions about registering a business in Philadelphia, contact the city's Department of Business & Self-Employment at 311.

Besides TV repair, Philadelphia's professional TV repair technicians can also handle various other electronic and appliance-related services, such as:

TV mounting and installation:
$100 - $260
TV setup:
$50 - $120 per hour
Smart device setup:
$150 - $1,400
Remote repair:
$10 - $50
Phone repair:
$50 - $650
Computer repair:
$100 - $1,000
VCR system repair:
$45 - $120
Home projector repair:
$125 - $365
Home theater and sound bar repair:
$100 - $315
Household appliance repair:
$50 - $450

Before agreeing to work with a TV repair technician, ensure you understand their services' scope and pricing. Also, be aware that the model and make of the appliance they will be working on will significantly impact their costs. Ensure you agree on the costs before finalizing the hiring process.

Do You Offer Genuine Spare Parts?

When hiring a TV repairman, ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to handle your equipment. More importantly, they should have access to genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) TV parts. While these components are typically more expensive than generic ones, they have various advantages over generics, such as:

  • Compatibility with your TV
  • High quality and durability
  • Assured compliance with existing warranties

Using genuine components will ensure that your TV will work properly and help you save money. Unfortunately, your TV repairman may not always be able to find original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts for your TV model. This is typically the case when the TV model's production has stopped. If this occurs, the repairman might have no choice but to order generic components. Usually, the delivery of either generic or OEM components can take up to four business days, depending on whether they are available within the city and their general availability.

Are Your Repair Services Covered by a Warranty?

A warranty is an assurance that your requested service was performed competently and with high-quality components. If your preferred TV repair technician downplays or refuses to provide a warranty for their service, you should consider it a red flag.

A TV repair warranty typically lasts three to 12 months; the technician determines the terms and conditions. It covers the damages and defects caused by the service performed by the technician. Still, it doesn't cover the damages caused by factors such as:

  • Power line surges
  • Cosmetic damages
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Improper installation
  • Shipment-related damages
  • Misuse and improper maintenance
  • Vandalism and natural disasters

Many manufacturers provide their customers with approved repair services for their televisions. However, depending on the issue, the customer might have to return the device to the manufacturer for repairs or a replacement.

Also, some retailers, such as Best Buy, Walmart, and ABT Electronics, provide additional protection plans that are outside the manufacturer's warranty. These plans offer a variety of perks, such as accidental damage protection. The conditions of these plans are set by the retailer that sells them.

Some of the drawbacks and benefits of an extended protection program for your television are listed below:

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

You should always ask for a copy of the warranty the TV repair technician issues. Before work starts, make sure that you thoroughly read its conditions and understand them to avoid voiding them.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad TV Repair Service in the Philadelphia

You can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office's Bureau of Consumer Protection in Philadelphia.

Fraudulent TV repair shops in Philadelphia often try to trick their unsuspecting customers through schemes like:

  • Intentionally damaging other components of the TV so that they can charge more
  • "Discovering" non-existent problems with the TV and requesting additional fees to fix them
  • Claiming the TV is damaged and needs to be replaced
  • Collecting money for OEM parts but ending up using generic parts
  • Demanding full payment upfront
  • Lying about their registration status and their credentials

As such, before you agree to work with a TV repair company in Philadelphia, make sure that you confirm their legitimacy using the following steps:

  • Confirm you will be offered a warranty and given a receipt for any purchased parts
  • Never pay the total cost of your requested services upfront or in cash.
  • Keep an eye on the technicians as they work in your home.
  • Request a free preliminary inspection.
  • Check the ratings and testimonials of the TV repair technicians you are considering hiring on reputable online platforms, such as Google and the Better Business Bureau.
  • Before you work with a television repair company,
  • Get and compare free estimates from multiple technicians.
  • Before working with a TV repair company,
  • Make sure they have a valid business license by contacting the Philadelphia Department of Business and Self-Employment at 311.
  • Make sure that the technician has the necessary credentials.

In Philadelphia, you can file complaints related to TV repair scams at the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office's Bureau of Consumer Protection. You can file a complaint online, via email, by calling 1-800-441-2555, or by mailing a completed Consumer Complaint Form to:

Office of Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Strawberry Square
15th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120