[damien c]

i use to work for comet and we had to offer a repair the person you spoke to was not trying to fob you off, but was actually being told what to say by the computer but if they had looked at it properly it will say that under 30 days contact manufacturer and get auth code for exchange unless they, have changed the policy since i left.

i dealt with stuff like that on a daily basis while i was there and once was even a guy's tv had 4 dead pixels, but they only died after the warranty had ran out and expected comet to fix it for free, he got trading standards involved and they said that he had to speak to the manufacturer as the store will not cover after 12 months.

when you get the new one power it up in the shop if they say you can't tell them that you are within your right to do it, and check to see if the new one has the same issue.

problem with comet is you have to stick to your guns and if they still refuse you then have to get the manager involved, thats the way we were all trained but don't quote me on that as they might have changed it by now.

atleast you are getting a new one though.