How To Get Rid Of A Monster TV

[whirlcool]

We have a Sony WEGA KV32FS100 television set that just bit the dust after a storm and associated power surge. It shut down and won't turn back on. This set weighs 280 lbs. I looked up the problem codes in the service manual and it looks like three IC's on the mainboard have been cooked. These IC's are not in an easy place to get at and you have to disassemble half the television to get to the area. Repairs would be about $350-$400. So for a television that's 12 years old, it's time for a new one.
Over the years this set has experinced many power surges due to the old electrical lines out here in the country. In 2014 they replaced all the lines and now power is much more reliable.

Now, how to get rid of the old one. It seems I can't even give it away! Does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone experienced this before? If I could lift it up and get it to the car that would be great, but nobody wants to get involved in moving the damned thing. Any ideas?

 

[rp2813]

Hire piano movers to take it to the next local e-waste event?

 

[ea56]

We had a behemoth Panasonic TV that died in 2008. It must have weighed at least 300 lbs. After much searching we finally found a recycling center that would pick it up free of charge. We had to wait about 2 wks for them to get it, but it was worth it. Otherwise the cheapest alternative that I was able to come up with was paying a junk hauler $75.00 to take it away. Check the yellow pages for recycling agencies, also search online. Good luck!

 

[philr]

I have a similar KV32FS12O at home and haven't turned it on for years but I didn't bother moving it out! A few years ago, my uncle wanted to give me his 36" WEGA and I had to say no thanks (these 36" CRT TVs are really heavy!).

I recently helped a friend getting rid of his 32" WEGA and we didn't have too much trouble. We moved the TV and the base cabinet separately and since it was still working, we gave it to my aunt who gave it to her son a few days later.

CRT TV sets are among the few things that didn't loose weight as their screen got bigger. Moving a 10 cu-ft fridge from the 1950s is more challenging than moving most of today's 25 cu-ft fridges!

But since you just want to get rid and don't mind scratching it. You could either find a helper (if both of you have good backs!). Or if you don't have to turn in tight spots like narrow corridors or stairs, you could probably use an appliance dolly and two binders to attach it safely to the dolly if you want to move it out with the base cabinet (and I assume it's fastened to the base cabinet like mine).

 

[kb0nes]

Allen, wow that thing is a beast! I couldn't fathom a 32" TV weighing 280 lbs. I looked in the manual for the set and indeed it lists it at 216 lbs. At least you don't have to move the extra 64 pounds of packaging! Still...

If you could get it onto a flatbed cart in front of a Best Buy they would take it for recycling. Sounds like you need a case of beer and a couple sturdy young guys. Best of luck and don't strain anything!

 

[mattl]

Aww, that's nothing.  I have 2, yes TWO 38" RCA wide screen HD Tv's in my basement.  They weigh well over 300 pounds.  I bought the second one as a parts donor, one still works well, but the dead one needs to go, no idea how to dispose of it.  Have 2 more 27" TVs sitting in the garage, no way to dispose of them either.  Bah.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Hitachi RPTV that still works well.Remember having to remove a door so the Circuit City delivory guys could get it in my house-show how long ago I bought it.As long as the beast still works-will keep it.When it dies-if you buy a new set-the delivory service that brought you your new set will take away the old one.If you manage to get the set to the curb---its a FEAST for RL and SL trash trucks!!There are many videos on Classic Refuse Trucks of these critters munching on old RPTV's-one even got bit in half by an EZ Pak!!!Another got crunched to kindling in a Mc Nealious SL.Yes,RPTV sets--Its like having a MOOSE in your TV room!

 

[sudsmaster]

I've taken two large TV's (one a Sony, the other a Toshiba) to Goodwill in the past few years, and have been able to claim them as tax deductions (both were working fine). Still have a 32 inch working Trinitron which will be a chore to move. But then I moved it into the house myself when I bought it... lol... A friend has the same problem with a large console TV that just died...

 

These have some recycle value (gold and other precious metals, I guess) so the charities must be making something off taking them in.

 

[whirlcool]

We have city operated recycling centers that will take it, but you have to get it to them first. My back is not in the best of shape with a couple of blown discs. The reason I mentioned it was 280 lbs is because that's what the stickers on the side and back of the set say. The stickers indicate 2 or 3 people are needed to move it.

It doesn't have it's own stand, it's sitting in an entertainmen center about 30" above the floor in a recess. It hasn't been moved since it was installed there by the company we bought it from back in 2002.

We are kind of sad that this set gave out on us. It had a very beautiful picture to it. I am sure the CRT is still good. The set was $895 brand new. You would think that something that expensive would last longer than this. In fact that's why we went with a Sony this time, reliability. But I have heard that is no longer Sony's forte in televisions anymore.

While we are procrastinating about what television to buy next, a friend of ours has loaned us an extra Hitachi set she has had laying about for a number of years.
We'd like to put that where the Sony is sittng right now.

But it does look like the best bet is to have the people I buy my next set from take it and haul it away.

I do have a cart at my disposal and an SUV. Maybe I should just buy some of the college kids down the street a case of beer to see if I can con them into moving it to the car for me. IfI can get it to the recyclying center the guys there will take it out of the car for me.

 

[iej]

I'd the same problem with an early 2000s Sony Wega Trinitron 36" PALplus (wide screen) TV

It was a beautiful beast : White, integrated glass and brushed metal stand with curved speakers on either side of the screen that appeared as if they continued to the floor.

Sony's Art Deco range.

It looked soooo cool back in 2001

It weighed an absolutely insane amount and required professional movers and a van to get it out of the house without causing damage.

We sent it to the local WEEE (Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment) centre.
Over here, you pay a small WEEE charge on any new appliance which covers the recycling costs of old ones. Stores are obliged to take back a similar appliance when you buy a new one. So, if you get a new dishwasher, they take the old one and return it to a recycling depot.

In this case we weren't physically able to get the TV to a store and the much larger AMOLED replacement was able to just be brought home in the car.

It's amazing actually how quickly CRTs have disappeared. It's already really rare to see them in homes as the switch to HD content has ensured their doom, much sooner than they'd have naturally expired.

 

[iej]

I forgot : it also had a brushed metal top top and all the controls were integrated into a backlit touch strip along the top of panel. They lit up red when you ran your finger over them.

The one thing I really miss about that era of televisions is their integrated speakers. That television sounded fantastic!

Modern flat panels definitely need external speakers. I hate watching (listening to) TV on a flat panel on internal speakers. You might as well be watching a large iPad!

 

[frigilux]

I hired a friend's football-playing sons to move my CRT behemoths to the curb during the (free) city-wide cleanup. They struggled with the 35" Toshiba, let me tell you.

Both TVs were replaced with identical LG flat screens that weigh about fifteen pounds each. Sidebar: CR Online provides optimal picture settings (going deep into settings I'd never heard of) for nearly every model they test. Boy, what a difference! The picture on the LGs went from 'meh' to 'wow'.

Allen, be sure to tell the dealership the size and weight of the TV that will have to be moved. It's going to take some serious grunt work to budge that Sony. On the upside, you'll love the clarity of high definition. You'll actually be able to read the fine print at the bottom of the screen during commercials, LOL.

Good luck!

 

[mrb627]

Junk Removal

This might be a good choice. They also accept donated items.

http://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com

Malcolm

 

[chachp]

Can you call them even if you don't have stuff to junk?

 

[alr2903]

Best Buy took our old JVC,  I did buy a new TV from them same trip. The old 32's with a glass picture tube had the best picture, I was sad when it went out.  They are hell to move, very awkward weight.  NTGOT,  hurricane Katrina was 10 years ago.. I remember all the TV tonnage on the streets that were replaced with flat screens.  Never ever put a flat screen TV box out for trash, rip it up and bag it.

 

[brisnat81]

The trick we learnt from Panasonic when they took our 39" away for repairs is to carry it screen down. We still have it up at Michael's mums. The Analog tuner has now failed, but with a Set top box connected its still functional, but its down in the rumpus room and almost never used.

It weighs 189 pounds, so to shift it, we lift it off the stand to the floor, tilt it forward past 45degs and then with one hand under the top edge and the other under the bottom corner, just lift.

All the weight is balanced at the bottom and its quite easy for the two of us to shift. We've moved it up and down a flight of stairs two trips in each direction.

 

[mattl]

Our local Goodwill posted a sign last year that they will no longer accept CTR TVs for donation as the cost of disposal was too high.

 

To be honest if I was in the market for a new display I’d opt for either LG or Samsung, then Panasonic and forget the other manufacturers.  Vizio will never cross my doorstep, they are mass marketed junk unless you buy their very top end units. In the AV circles the old phrase has been updated - "Friends don't let friends buy Vizio..."

 

[whirlcool]

That's interesting what you said about TV brands. A friend of ours has a company where he designs and installs media rooms in upscale homes. People spend upwards of $75,000+ for these rooms. He supplies everything.

I asked him what brands he thought were the best, and he said Samsung. I pressed on why and he said that they were most reliable. He said that he doesn't even carry Sony anymore. He had a run of those that required screen replacements under warranty. He said he didn't think the picture on Vizio sets was all that sharp.One of our appliance stores here in Houston has pretty much eliminated all brands but LG and Samsung.

I wonder how the Element television sets are doing? Those are the ones being manufacturered in the U.S.?

 

[ea56]

When we first replaced our old 36" Panasonic CTR we bought a 40" Sony flat screen HDTV thinking that Sony was the best. Wrong! That TV was terrible, it had the worst picture I've ever looked at, and I grew up with the snowy BW TV of the 50's and 60's. After 3 days we took it back and bought a 40" Samsung HDTV. It has a beautifull picture and we've had no problems in over 8 yrs. On the other hand, when my 93 yr. old Aunt passed away 2 yrs. ago we got her 36" Sony flat screen, and we have it in our bedroom, it has a great picture, only compaint is that it takes a long time to come on after pressing the power button, but otherwise its great. So go figure? But if I wqas spending our $ again for a TV it would be a Samsung.