LCR200 does NOT have RS232 but can't return it - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 09:37:27 pm
content: Hi, I could use some perspective... Long story short:In Sept I bought an LCR200 from a very popular distributor. Big reason for selecting it was the RS232 port prominently mentioned on the product page.Two weeks ago I tried actually using the RS 232 port to bin some caps... Turns out it doesn't exist. When I asked the distributor, they verified with Extech, immediately fixed their site (Jan 31), and said thanks.Great, but I still can't use this meter. I asked about returning or exchanging it. The distributor said it's been more than 30 days so I need to contact Extech. Past experience suggests that would take more time than the $200 meter merits. Back and forth once or twice, zero progress.So, how should I proceed?- do as I'm told and start hassling Extech myself?- get more stern with the distributor using lawyer words like "misrepresentation" and "obligation"?- chuck the LCR200 in the garbage, buy a DE 5000 with USB cable, and get back to work?I've got other stuff I'd rather work on so I'm inclined to go with #3. But damn do I feel burned. Would like to hear opinions unclouded by my own frustration...

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 09:57:19 pm
content: Send the seller a nasty email with some fancy legal terms in it, eventually they'll give in. If I was you I'd want my $200 back.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 10:08:15 pm
content: na, don't get nasty.. True, it may work, but your not at that point yet.Send Extech a polite email telling them about how you bought the meter from distributor X because it had rs232 and explain that you're the one who brought this misadvertisng issue to the attention of the distributor who then told extech.Say you're having difficulty getting the distributor to fix the situation, (you have a meter you cant use for what you intended). Ask Extech if they could talk to the distributor and convince them to accept your return.A key bit here is you asking extech to 'talk to the distributor and make them do the right thing'.It's an important part of the email because Extech won't like that one of their distributor is being a dick.They may call the distributor and complain which will most likely get you your refund.Or Extech may just feel bad and post you the next model up which has rs232 for free.(If you're lucky, both will happen)Asking Extech to contact the distributor kinda puts a bit of social engineering into play and slants the outcome more towards getting free stuff because A) your not asking for free stuff) and B) it's easier for the person at Extech to send you something for free than have to go deal with a distributor and play phone tag with them for 30 min.Also, telling them that you're "the one who found the adverting issue and had it brought to their attention" shows you have knowledge of a recent error on their part and proves you to be legit and not some random person trying to get free stuff.Its really a win win

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 10:16:05 pm
content: go for number 2 or sell it on ebay and buy the other one

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 10:29:50 pm
content: I'll admit I don't know a thing about this meter, but I took a quick look at the manual. It says the rs-232 port is not active, which makes me think it's physically there but is simply not enabled? Wonder if it's one of those Rigol/Agilentisms where a firmware hack will enable the port, assuming it actually is on the unit to begin with? Depending on how much money you have, there's some nice used Agilents floating around Ebay as well.If the rs-232 port doesn't exist, then I would say your best bet is to forward the original correspondence from the seller to Extech and request that they upgrade your meter to one that includes the RS-232 functionality that you originally thought you had. If that doesn't work then I would go the Ebay route and look at buying either a BK or Agilent.Cheers,-TimQuote from: bronson on February 12, 2014, 09:37:27 pm

author: bsco
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 10:33:43 pm
content: I would go with what Psi has suggested first...If that doesn't work then I guess it is up to you...

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 10:34:34 pm
content: +1 for Psi's recommendations.Using 'lawyer' words without being a lawyer, and on a $200 purchase is likely to achieve nothing except laughter from the recipient.Ask Extech to help you sort the matter out.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2014, 11:07:48 pm
content: It is happening too often now. Even going to consumer body is not worth the time, the modern companies work on maximum profit sadly. It is not all about money on our end as consumer. So far, after some nice letters and after I sensed out the seller, I would tell them that I would publish and spread their flaw practises online with names mentioned. Sometime this works. If they still don't act, the reviews shall go out as a public service to others.

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 01:07:14 am
content: Quote from: bronson on February 12, 2014, 09:37:27 pmTell the forum which distributor it was.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 01:38:06 am
content: Hi,If you look at this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/extech-lcr200-data-output/The original poster says that he made Extech aware of the situation in April last year.I did a quick check.TestEquity is advertising RS232:http://www.testequity.com/products/4172/Tester.co.uk also say it has RS232https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/wtf2.gifhttp://www.tester.co.uk/extech-lcr200-passive-component-lcr-meterI guess you have to read the manuals to check if the functions are includedJay_Diddy_B

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 02:13:11 am
content: What country are you in? Or what country is the seller in?If you're in Europe or Australia, just contact the distributor and ask for rma information, to return the meter under warranty.As far as you're concerned, the meter is faulty, not working as advertised (no way to use serial)) in the manual and the website. They can either give you a meter with serial working or refund your purchase?If everything else fails.. why not make a chargeback, since the product is obviously not as ordered?

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 05:50:44 am
content: USA, alas. I don't think it's possible to make a chargeback three months after the bill was paid.Psi, great suggestion. What the hell, let's see what happens.Sure Capt, I'll name and shame the distributor if I end up on option #3. For now let's just say that they're very well known on eevblog.

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 06:21:17 am
content: Quote from: bronson on February 13, 2014, 05:50:44 amDave did this to you?!

author: mevrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 07:51:00 am
content: Public outing of such companies often has the desired effect actually as they try to do damage control. If the Extech route doesn't work, then make another thread saying in the thread title that x company ripped you off.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 09:30:52 am
content: Why not go with the DE 5000 for about half the price?http://www.ebay.com/itm/DER-EE-DE-5000-High-Accuracy-Handheld-LCR-Meter-TL-21-TL-22-TL-23-USB-CD-ful-set-/161102706848?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25827838a0And that one has an actual, real, optically isolated USB port.

author: Co6aka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 04:17:02 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on February 13, 2014, 11:53:38 amThat's our "free market" () economy and our (vampire) capitalist (oligarchical-kleptocratic) system doing its inherent-best; we get as much protection as we can afford to lobby (bribe) our government officials with. O0 (Werd!)Anyway...At least still file a consumer complaint with your state AG,and with the distributor's state AG.Also might be worth contacting your CC company re the "fraudulent" advertising aspect, to at least see what they have to say.

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 04:40:35 pm
content: First email to Extech, as I expected, produced only sympathy.I'll send two more before going with option #3 (which of course involves a DE 5000).I'll contact my CC and state AG, both excellent suggestions.Arg, I just rememberded that, at the time, I was deciding between the LCR200 and DE 5000. I paid a little more for the Extech because I've used their gear before and liked it, it "has" RS232 instead of USB (figured fewer compatibility problems), and I'll spend a bit more money to get a better device, right?Ugh.At least we're not talking Keithley 2100 money.

author: jonese
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2014, 07:52:26 pm
content: And one wonders why things are generally more expensive outside of North America.