I WILL NOT BUY A PANASONIC PRODUCT EVER AGAIN

Initially, I was really impressed with the product. I thought the editing features were simple yet effective. However, the player stopped working after a year and a half. It went into a continual "self check" loop and then completely stopped. I wrote to Panasonic explaining the problem and got the usual, this has never 'happened' before response. I then got a garbled instruction about sending it off to a authorised agent to repair and they were suitable vague about whether they would pay for the postage or the repair or anything. In fact there response was so laughable here it is:-

"I am sorry to learn of the circumstances which have prompted you to write, and can appreciate your disappointment that the above unit developed a problem such
a short time after the guarantee expired.

Firstly, please accept my assurances that this failure is not indicative of poor quality. Whilst Panasonic products are manufactured to the highest specifications, there is always some potential, as with any electrical appliance, for some component failure to occur over a period of time and use.
I am pleased to inform you, however, that Panasonic adopt a very flexible approach to the terms of the guarantee and often consider requests for assistance outside of that period.

Whilst I cannot immediately ascertain whether repair cost assistance would be appropriate on this particular occasion, I would like to have the opportunity to consider further.
In order that I may do this, I would ask that you firstly have the unit inspected by an authorised service agent. Those listed in your local area are
provided below for your perusal:


Please then send me copies of both the original purchase receipt and of a detailed repair estimate, prior to the work being undertaken, for consideration. This is not only due to the fact that, through this, a greater level of assistance can usually be provided, but also since it provides us with
an opportunity to liaise with the service agent and ensure that they have been able to completely remedy the fault.
Please be advised that you may initially be charged an inspection fee by the service agent. In addition, if there is no assistance forthcoming, any repair charges will be payable by you."

Now sorry to bore you with this but this type of response infuriates me. My response was a polite form of don't waste my time. Do companies like this not realise that customers will go else where.

I then did some research and found out that in fact this is a common fault on Panasonic DVD recorders and sent it to them. Apparently, there is a problem with a capacitor. See this forum http://forum.videohelp.com/topic306990-60.html#1640443
Disappointingly, I had no response. Guess I must have upset them! I may even try the repair myself as instructions on the forum are pretty good.

Please please don't buy from them....NEVER!