VPC-Z11 replacement screen --- Is weblcd.com legit?

Hi Everyone,

I have a sony vaoi vpc-z11 laptop that has a damaged screen. At first, a couple of pixels were stuck in the centre of the screen and then over a month, the problem worsened to the point where the screen is now unusable. Although the laptop was still under warranty, sony refuses to fix the screen because they claim that it was broken due to abuse.

Long story short, I want to order a replacement part and fix the screen myself.

The 1600x900 resolution screen is made by Toshiba and has the model number LT131EE12000 (all 1600x900 Z11's should have the same screen right?).

The cheapest by far that I found was here: weblcd, at $250, although I am a bit suspicious since everyone else lists that screen between $400 and $500. Has anyone had any dealings with this company before?

I called their usa number and someone did pick up. I can't find very much info about them on the internet. Does anyone know of a good place to check if a company is a scam?

Thank you for any advice/info.

 

I can't help you out on this website, but I can tell you that all Z11s, Z12, and Z13 have the same 1600X900 screen. Computers that were equipped with the 1920X1080 screens will also be the same among the three models.

Another thing is that it's possible to swap out the 900 screen to a 1080 screen if you want. And now would be the perfect time to do so.

 

lcdexpress on eBay is a very good seller for Z screens, they are all priced at 500 but it's reliable! Although I'm surprised Sony won't fix it for you free of charge since it's under warranty

 

I didn't think that this was possible. Are you sure the connector is the same for both screen resolutions? Also, I was wondering how readable text would be for the 1080p resolution that is crammed into a 13.1 inch screen. It seems insane!

 

How well does the 900 work for you now? If you take the 1080 screen and bump up to 125% it's roughly the same size as the 900. I did this and everything is still crisp with all programs I use.

I'm 90% sure it's possible since I've heard of members talking about this before.

 

I was just looking at 1080P screens on eBay... good to know they can be had for $585. I am almost out of warranty and the screen is the only thing that I would be even remotely worried about.

You can swap a 900P screen for a 1080P screen, the connector is the same. I've never seen a 900P Z but I couldn't imagine using anything less than 1080P

 

I remember reading somewhere in a post on notebookreview that the connector was different, or something like this, so that both screens were not interchangeable. I can't find this post though, and so I am a little worried about ordering the 1080p screen if it does not work in my laptop that has the 1600 x 900 screen resolution.

Interestingly, I came across this post that gave the sony part number for the screens:

1080p screen is part #: A1769473A
1600x900 is part #: A1769474A

I looked them up on the sony serviceplus site, and they list the 1080p screen for $199. Now I just have to figure out how to order from this site since I live in Canada...

EDIT: Hmmm... when I click the "availability" button, it shows that the actual cost is around $470, and that there are no more in stock

 

I'm sure it will work. It is just a straightforward swap. A fellow member had just done this exact swap a few months ago. Hope the following thread will also help you out:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/561458-sony-vaio-vpcz1-lcd-replacement-disassembly-guide.html

Good luck.

 

Ok, I just ordered the 1080p replacement screen from weblcd. I will let you know if it is a scam or not!

On a side note, sony's customer service is really terrible. They refuse to fix the screen, or a problem with a usb port that was present since day 1. They did offer me a really "good deal" though... they offered me 25% off a new laptop, but the catch is that they want to keep the old one. How generous! The old laptop is probably worth $1000 or so even without a screen.

 

Shame on you Sony, what a ridiculous rip-off attempt. Until now, I thought getting a broken laptop serviced by Sony is just a PITA, but the fact they obviously are NOT playing fair in your case makes it even worse. I swear if ever something happens to my Z, I will do anything but send them my baby, you hear me, Sony?!

 

I am in the same boat as you. FYI, on the Sony Service Plus site, they list the 900p screen replacement for 172usd and it was indeed available.

However, I was looking for the 1080p upgrade (it's the whole reason I got the laptop really) but haven't found the cheapest supplier yet.

An online computer shop in New Zealand had it listed for about 250usd but I inquired and they responded with a notice that it was actually out of stock.

Weblcd.com has it for only 320usd, under the listing "WUXGA 13.1" LCD for Sony Vaio Z," which sounds good enough to me, but then I got suspicious because they have an identical listing of the same screen but this time titled by the LT-part number, and with a heightened price tag.

So please let me know when your LCD arrives, if it does. I'd be happy to give them my business...

 

So I now have an update. Shortly after I ordered the screen from weblcd, I got an email from paypal saying that they issued my a full refund. Then I got an email from weblcd saying that the screen is actually out of stock:

If I can get the 900p replacement screen for $172, then I will most likely go that route. I'll post again if I find a better deal.

 

So... it looks like $585 on eBay is the best deal, good to know, 900P just wouldn't cut it for me, I'd go higher than FHD if I could!
I am not planning on breaking my screen though, I would be very sad.

 

Whoa, lets not jump to conclusions here. $585 is still a bad deal.

Check out alibaba.com. They list foreign (Asian) suppliers of these LCD panels, and the best quote that I have gotten is $400 for the 1080p panel, from China Time Technologies, and they have guaranteed that it is in stock and ready to ship.

Unfortunately, it seems everywhere else that lists the panel at a lower price is actually out of stock of the 1080p panel...and I have not stopped searching for the past couple of weeks.

Let me know if you are interested in this price - I may be able to get a price break if I order more than one panel at a time, and seeing as they sell on eBay for a minimum of $500, it may be worth my while to get a few of them.

 

Get this. I called the sony repair shop to get my laptop back and they told me I would have to wait a week because it was all in pieces. Then the shop called me today and said that I would have to pay $50 to get my laptop back! This is making my blood boil. I brought the laptop there at Sony's request.

 

This screen replacement project has been on the backburner for a while, but I am now ready to fix this thing.

I got my laptop back from the repair shop without charge. I just have one quick question:

Do I need to buy an inverter or bracket if I'm going from the 1600x900 screen to the 1900x1080 screen? I'm getting my screen from here: aliexpress

Thanks!

 

Update: I finally received my screen. I took a while longer than expected but it made it safe and sound.

I followed the instructions posted here (thanks SPEEDwithJJ for the link!), and everything worked perfectly.

So now instead of a 1600x900 screen, I have the full 1080p screen and it works great! I just replaced one for another, and didn't need an inverter or bracket. LED backlit screens don't use inverters. This final cost was around $450 cdn with shipping, which is a lot better than the $1400 that sony was asking to fix the screen.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

I'm glad you got it fixed and even upgraded without any qualms. The aliexpress link no longer works- wonder if they've sold out.

 

I'm not sure why the link does not work, but just go to the home page and search for LT131EE11000 (the 1080p screen, if that's what you want). You'll see a lot of options. I picked one that was fulfilled by AliExpress, and that included the 30 day hold on the payment (to ensure that I got the stuff ok). I also made sure not to pick UPS as a shipper because they charge insane brokerage fees. EMS took a while, but was cheap, and I didn't pay any brokerage fees.

 

I just had to replace the FHD (1080) screen in my VPCZ1290X. The Toshiba screen everyone's referencing (LT131EE11000) is pretty much out of stock everywhere. I bought my replacement AU Optronics B131HW02 V.0 from worldoftrade.com seller y&z technology co, ltd (lili and dan han), for about $390 plus $30 shipping (DHL). It arrived in about a week, actually, straight from China. The sellers were impeccable, with excellent communication and service. Installed and working great. Buying these parts straight from factory warehouses is the way to go if you want to save.

 

So I have an unhappy little story to tell here, as I have still been shopping around for a bargain on this LCD panel.

Sony's service plus (parts site) has been down for weeks, and the expected 'reopen date' has been pushed back over and over again for weeks now,
so I emailed them about the lcd/parts for my laptop finally, and they redirected me to the consumer parts site, where the 1080p lcd was listed as IN STOCK and only $199!

Of course, at this price and availability, I ordered it.

Now here is the unforgivable part:

On my order confirmation page, the order total was something like $212 including tax and shipping ($6).

As soon as I hit the submit order button, the order confirmation page loaded, and I scrolled down. UNBELIEVABLE. At the bottom of the order confirmation/receipt page, it says they charged me <EXPLETIVE> $522 and the unit is on BACKORDER.

Of all the things I have purchased online, from all the various vendors, eBay members, etc - NOT ONCE have I been charged a different amount from what is listed in my shopping cart/submit order page. I am the kind of person who carefully analyzes the prices and the breakdown of unit cost, shipping, and tax charges. The total listed above the submit order button, in this instance, was less than HALF of what I was charged, and mind you we are talking half a grand here (poor college student here).

Thank god for credit cards - I still have not received my 'instant order confirmation' email that's completely standard for online purchases like this
and this was about 15 minutes ago.

 

Yeah sorry you fell for it. Achublessyou posted the same thing about a month ago where Sony reported them at $199 but they actually charge you significantly more. Hope it gets resolved easily.

 

The serviceplus site was basically the same when it was up, but the accurate price/availability was listed once you added it to your cart. I was very wary of doing this through Sony because of that, but it has been months now and I desperately need this screen replaced, so yeah, I fell for it.

I also vaguely recall the post you're referring to - it sounds really familiar - but I guess I had forgotten about it. I just wanted to be sure no one else has to deal with this hassle, especially when it's directly through the laptop manufacturer.

 

Ha, I just did the same thing. They better not charge me.

Are you looking for the 1080 screen? I am too. Found any good deals?

 

Nah the best deal is still direct from China via alibaba or similar: ~$400 shipped for the 1080p

 

I keep getting quotes for around $440-450 WITH shipping. Are you finding some dealer I'm not talking to or something?

 

Ok, this is just not right. The brand new screen that I ordered and installed is now kaput as well. It was working fine for about two weeks, and then all of a sudden, for no reason whatsoever, vertical lines appeared in the middle of the screen. !

The only connection between both screens breaking that I can think of is that in both cases it was right after a 4 hour flight. Coincidence?

I don't know what to do now. I've already spent $500 fixing this laptop. I tried contacting the seller to see if they can do anything (perhaps I am just really unlucky and the screen was defective), but I have not heard back from them. I'm afraid to spend another $500 as the same thing could happen again. On the other hand, I spent almost $3000 on this thing just over a year ago, and you still can't really find anything else like it on the market. I just wish sony would build their laptops a little better.

 

I split the FDH screen on my Z1 during a flight to Munich in January. It basically cracked right down the middle after I inadvertently crushed it with the first class reclining seat (doh).

I found the replacement at Alibaba.com for $436, which was the lowest I could find at the time. It has been running perfectly since the replacement.

The model number is: LT131EE11000

As for your screen, you may be breaking it in your bag or something. I always put the screen-side of the laptop towards the inside of the bag and put a notebook or magazine next to it.

 

I would expect that something is wrong with the price in the inventory system. I mean, back when I was ordering my Z13, the upgrade was randomly either Free to 1080p or only 100$ more when not as an incentive. So how could it literally cost a whopping $300 more in the parts site?
The only way I could think is... SONY did that on Purpose? ahem...

 

What supplier did you order from? I am about to put my order through on Alibaba with China Time Technologies, Ltd for the FHD screen (LT131EE11000) for $395 plus ~$40 shipping.

Also, did you go through Alibaba with the escrow service, as far as payment goes? China Time asked for Paypal or Western Union for payment, but there is the option to order through the Alibaba site form (w/ escrow).

And did you use DHL, or the local Hong Kong post or similar? How long did it take for you to receive the screen after ordering it?

I'm just a little nervous about ordering direct from an online, Chinese supplier (my first Alibaba order and I've read horror stories) and would like to hear the details of your transaction. If anyone else has feedback on direct orders of this sort, please feel free to add to this.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Might look at my last post on page 2.

 

This part is back in stock at www.sony.com/accessories : A1769473A

that's the 1080p screen. I ordered it on Thursday, it arrived today, and I've got a fresh new screen on my Z12

 

the $200 one??? REally???

 

I couldn't believe it either...came out to $216.36 with shipping + tax

 

Sheesh, might by a few as backups.

You have any pics of the screen going in?

 

OMG! Really??? And you got it too! Damn! I'm so darn tempted! Buy a few, replace my own and flip on ebay and then i got a free screen replacement

I'm not sure if you wanted to compare his screen or not, but here's a link to a thread someone started on how to change the Vaio Z screen:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...eplacement-disassembly-guide.html#post7420649

I know you are Zoinks so... I'm most probably wrong about you needing instructions on how to take apart the Z (you practically wrote the manual on that!) but here's reference for anyone else!

 

i'm trying to resist
must have self-control....

 

Haha, that's me right now... on a college budget so it's a *bit* easier... the one thing that's really stopping me is my fear of what happens if i mess up the installation...

 

College is a gold mine, you can make so much money there. Get your hustle on.

 

Nope, know nothing about it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/565087-vpc-z1-screen-goes-snap.html

 

Yeah, I was waiting to post about this until I actually received it And I followed that guide, and it went in pretty easy...the hardest part is just maneuvering the bezel in around the hinges, but if you follow the guide and just remember what you did when you took it apart, it's surprisingly easy.

 

Haha, i'm trying

yep, nothing at all

 

I didn't think to take any pictures while I was doing it...I could take the bezel back apart and pull it back out if there's anything specific you were looking for.

 

trying implies the possibility for failure

 

possibility of failure means I'm human

 

IT'S A FAKE!!! DON'T BUY IT!!!

I tried to order one and got the typical Sony bait/change price tactic!

When you order the part it quote you at $199.44 but when you enter your credit card and complete the order and it shows your receipt, the price is "magically" switched to $500.95!!!

This is the same thing that Sony has done repeatedly in the past. I really don't know how they think they can get away with it, nor why they do it. This is the kind of thing you might expect on Alibaba.com or some other Chinese supplier who has no reputation to protect and is fairly insulated from US legal prosecution.

The only reason I placed this order is that someone posted on this thread this week that they had ordered, received and installed their screen at this price without a hitch. I wonder if they are in for a rude shock when they get their credit card bill. Sony does give you an instant receipt after the order is completed, but I imagine some people are not careful enough to check it.

I first called to have the order immediately canceled. I then called and after a very long wait reached "customer relations," who took down the complaint, assigned it an "event number" and promised to research it and get back to me, though they were entirely non-commital as to the time frame of any response to me.

To me, this is just another in a long, long line of reports of dealings with Sony in which their conduct is hugely inept at best and intentionally fraudulent at worst. This practice of luring in customers with very attractive prices for replacement parts - when they have no intent whatsoever to sell the part at this price - then getting customer account information and a credit card number, then completing the order and confirming it with an invoice via email (in a minute or so), with the price more then double the order confirmation price. This practice, since it is clearly not just a "system glitch" or one-off, it's what they call in law a "pattern' of a practice that falls under the category of "fraud," which means Sony could be in for some very stiff penalties - IF, someone is willing to take the time and front the cash to file a suit.

Does anyone have any insights or suggestions to offer about this? I'm looking for people with similar experiences to at least agree to a group letter/email to Sony asking for an explanation of this practice and a proposed remedy.

Or maybe I'll do nothing and leave it to the next person to deal with it. I do feel sorry for the person who bought it this week and thinks they paid $216 with tax and shipping when their actual credit card charge will be over $500.

 

I'm not surprised really. I mean a regular black/silver lid costs 250 bucks. For a thin peice of plastic...Uh huh...

 

oh.
is that right?
easier to resist now:|

 

Do you mind my asking, what document verified the price? Did you get an email confirmation of that price, or just the order confirmation when you first placed the order? It is between those two that everything changed for me.

Please excuse my clumsy cut/paste work below. I just wanted to depict the two different Sony confirmations, one as I was ordering, one after my order was received. I do note that they changed the part number on the confirmation from that which was quoted on the order to a different one which, of course, had the price increased by 2.5X.

Are you able to verify that they only invoiced you for the lower amount, and to confirm which of the two part numbers they indicated selling you?

Thanks. I've decided to invest at least my time in trying to get to the bottom of this. Getting the quoted price honored for me and others who say they have had the same fate this week will be my minimum objective.

Item Item# Description Qty Remove Item Unit Price (In USD) Ext. Price (In USD) A1769473A LCD LT131EE11000 (S) [13.1/Full-HD_HDAR/ <input name="704067" size='4' value="2" type="text"> <input name="removeItemId" value="704067" type="checkbox"> $199.44 $398.88 Subtotal (In USD): $398.88

List of Items Ordered

Description	Item# Ordered	Item# Supplied	Unit Price	Order Qty	Supplied Qty	BackOrder Qty	Line Status	Amount
LCD (B131HW02V0)-31(S)	A1769473A	A1846020A	$500.95	2	0	2	Back Order	$1,001.90
Subtotal:								$1,001.90
Sales Tax:								$50.10
Shipping and Handling (Standard Shipping):								$6.95
Total Charges (In USD):								$1,058.95

 

Here was the initial order acknowledgement email i got:


Thank your for placing your order. To check your order status, please go to www.sony.com/accessories or contact Sony Parts and Accessory Sales at 1-800-488-SONY(7669).

Order Number: XXXXXXXXXx
Purchase Order: XXXXXXXXXXXx

Your order contains the following item(s) :

Item No Requested : A1769473A
Item No to be Shipped : A1769473A
Description : LCD LT131EE11000 (S) [13.1/Full-HD_HDAR/
Quantity Requested : 1.000
Quantity Backordered : 0
Unit Price(USD): 199.44
Extended Price(USD): 199.44


Parts Subtotal: 199.44
Shipping and Handling: 6.95
Tax: 9.97
Recycle Fee: 0.00

Order Total: 216.36

Shipping Address:
XXXXXx

And my Amex charge 2 days later:
09/03/2011 Sat SONY ELEC 0000 800-244-1372 XXXXXX 216.36

Sorry to hear other people couldn't get in on it, if it's not working any more. It reflected the 199.44 price the whole way through the transaction for me.