Widescreen Gaming Forum

About a year and a half ago, I started noticing image retention on my LCD. It's a 24" IPS monitor that I got in February 2007. By making a screensaver that alternates solid white and solid black every six seconds and running that all night for a few days, the problem went away.

Last summer, I started noticing it again. Only it wasn't so much image retention as it was a large region of darkness on the monitor - not a solid spot or a discernible image, but almost like a formless patchwork of darkness. It's a bit subtle, and is mainly noticeable when the screen is displaying dark gray or dark blue - it's just fine when displaying bright colors. But it's annoying, and it's either getting worse or my tolerance for it is getting lower. The screensaver trick doesn't seem to do anything, and I've been using it sporadically for the past six months.

Still images seem to burn in in as little as two hours as well, and like the dark region, they are only visible when the screen shows dark gray or dark blue. But the screensaver trick works for them.

So I'm considering getting rid of this monitor and getting a new one. I guess first of all, have I tried everything I can do? Is my monitor truly doomed to have a distracting dark spot forever?

Is selling on eBay a bad idea? I'm a bit worried that I might piss off a buyer no matter how much I warn them. I'm also worried that the monitor might not be worth what it costs to ship.

Also, is *buying* on eBay a bad idea? All of the monitors that are significantly below MSRP are either used or refurbished. If a monitor says it comes with manufacturer's warranty, and the monitor arrives in an unsatisfactory condition (more dead pixels than the manufacturer promises, color uniformity issues, scratched screen), can I claim warranty and get a factory new one?

Selling on eBay is fine, assuming you get the money first. So long as you're very clear of any defects and details of the product, and keep a record of all correspondence, you'll be okay. If the buyer bitches, then that just means that he/she didn't read and/or fully understand those details. Sloppy buying isn't the fault of the seller. Buyer beware.

For buying, just use Paypal, or some other service that can protect you if you get screwed over. Personally, I've never been interested in purchasing things liek displays without seeing them first. Plus, lots of shipping through Ebay can be ridiculously expensive, and if you receive a defective item, you'll likely have to pay to ship it back. Not worth saving a few bucks, if you ask me. But then, this brings us back to the 'buyer beware' aspect.

For warranty info, I'd ask the seller to give contact info for whom the warranty is through, and contact them directly to ask about reseller support.

For buying, just use Paypal, or some other service that can protect you if you get screwed over.

I am currently going through hell to get back about 7 Euro via Paypal, so I can't really say that what you say is true.

My transaction ID IS NOT linked to my account, and still my girlfriend can't speak to them, their offices close 1 hour before I finish work and are not open weekends and sending emails justs gets automated responses, and I am near my 45 day cut off time. Useless idiots to be honest.

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P8Z68-V Pro | 2600K | HR02 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB M4 + 6TB | X-Fi > HD595 | AX850 | Tai Chi | PB278Q | G110 + Deathadder 2013
P8Z77-V | 3570K | Mugen 2 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 500GB | X-750 | Fractal R3 | U2212HM | G110 + G400
P8H77-I | G860 | 4650 | 2x2GB XMS | 320GB | CX500 | Prodigy | T22B350EW | MX518
DC3217IYE | 1x4GB Vengeance | 64GB M4 | TX-42VT20E

Can protect. I mostly dislike Paypal, but it did help me get $30 back once. Ive also heard of others having both great and horrendous experiences with them.. but, it's better than nothing.

Er.. some credit card companies claim to help with fraudulent online purchases, no?

Er.. some credit card companies claim to help with fraudulent online purchases, no?

This is the route I am going to take.

And sorry for hijacking the thread! I would re-itterate what Abram said in the first place, if you tell them that the monitor is broken and someone buys it, as long as you document it, there is no comeback for them. Just say it how it is!

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P8Z68-V Pro | 2600K | HR02 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB M4 + 6TB | X-Fi > HD595 | AX850 | Tai Chi | PB278Q | G110 + Deathadder 2013
P8Z77-V | 3570K | Mugen 2 | HD5850 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 500GB | X-750 | Fractal R3 | U2212HM | G110 + G400
P8H77-I | G860 | 4650 | 2x2GB XMS | 320GB | CX500 | Prodigy | T22B350EW | MX518
DC3217IYE | 1x4GB Vengeance | 64GB M4 | TX-42VT20E

Paypal is good for buyers, not sellers.