Philips MC500 5-CD Changer Shelf System
by Philips
(Click here)
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: PhilipsBrand: Philips
Edition: Electronics
Model: MC500
Publisher: Philips
Studio: Philips
Music Label: Philips
Product features:
- USB port connection for digital music files
- 100 watts per channel speakers
- 5-disc CD changer plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs
- Built-in digital equalizer settings
- Main unit measures 6.89 x 10.55 x 12.44 inches (W x H x D)
- AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters) [Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel]
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)[Supports 3D + Audio Return Channel][OLD MODEL]
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Braided Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)
Digital camera reviews of Philips MC500 5-CD Changer Shelf System
Digital camera Review: A Service Horror Story!
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this Philips Mini Hi-Fi CD player/tuner in Dec. 2003 and for about a year it was fine. Then about one week after the manufacturer's warranty had expired (Dec. 2004), the CD player stopped working. The CD drawers would not open and the CDs would not play. Fortunately, I had purchased an extended 2-year service contract so I thought I was pretty well covered to get the item fixed or replaced.
Before I get to the interesting part of this story, let me just say that when the unit was working, it was fine. Not exactly an audiophile's preference in sound quality, but adequate for the use I put it to. It played CDs pretty accurately and the tuner was average as far as signal strength. The unit plays 5 CDs but the system is very noisy when changing from one CD to another. The front of the unit is crammed with buttons and it is not easy to learn how to use them. Even the owner's manual is not very clear. It will only shuffle tracks within a CD and cannot shuffle tracks between CDs. There is a way that you can use the program function to accomplish this but it is very complicated and time consuming. The unit does seem to have adequate power (100 watts) and the speakers are crisp and clear. The tuner has average signal strength on FM but very poor on AM. You can connect the unit to a PC via a USB cable supplied for downloading music, but I have not tried this. The system only cost $120. so I was not expecting to be overly impressed.
The real fun began when I started the process of returning it for repair. Since I assumed that the unit would be covered under the service contract, I called the phone number on the contract. The person I spoke to gave me a short list of two service centers in my area. The first one I called said they do not repair these units and the second one was more than 1 hour's drive away, which translated into more than 4 hours of driving to bring the unit there and to return to pick it up. They also said they were not sure they could repair it.
My last alternative was to return it to Philips, so I called them and they gave me instructions as to where to send it and what information to include, such as RS #s, RMA #s, how to pack it, what to include, what markings to put on the carton, etc. So after following their instructions and sending it via UPS at a cost of $12 with insurance, I also was instructed to call them back and give them the UPS tracking number. I did that and was told that it would take approx. 10 days to have it fixed or replaced. I should mention that I also included a letter inside as per their instructions, detailing what was wrong with the unit and that there were still 5 CDs inside that I would like to get back with the repaired unit or removed from the unit if it was unrepairable and shipped back with the replacement.
Now it really gets interesting! After 12 days and hearing nothing, I called Philips to get a status on the repair. There are three different numbers available. One is on the User's manual, which is different from the one on the service contract, which is still different from the one on their website. The person on the other end of the service contract number said they have nothing to do with this service because it was sent back to Philips under the manufacturer's warranty (which in fact it was not). The number on the User's Manual referred me to call the website number. When I called them, I waited 11 minutes for someone to pick up the phone, which was a recorded message telling me to hold on for the next available customer service representative. After waiting another 6 minutes a person answered and told me they would have to transfer me to the "status desk" to get information, so I waited on this line for more than 20 additional minutes listening to elevator music until the connection was just cut off. I went through this scenario 2 more times before finally giving up. So far, I had spent approx. 2 hours trying to get some information......all to no avail.
I then tried their website, which has a live chat link to a customer service representative. I waited about 15 minutes for someone to respond to that. When I told them the whole story, they said there was nothing they could do and advised me to call the status desk. I explained to them that nobody is picking up the phone at the status desk and they said there was nothing they could do about that. They also said they were changing the RS # because they are deeming the case as closed. EXCUSE ME!!!! What's closed? Where's my unit? How do I find out where it is?
So back to the phone and Musak for 25 minutes more until someone finally picks up. I immediately ask to speak to a supervisor. The young lady says she will get one. Ten minutes later, she is on the phone saying she is still trying to locate one....please hold on. Finally a gentleman answers and after hearing my entire story, states that there is nothing he can do but advise me to call back and ask for .......yep, you guessed it......the status desk! After my hoarse voice was able to state once again that nobody answers the phone at the status desk, he gave me their direct number so I wouldn't have to go through the whole menu of items when I call again. When I told him that having a direct number isn't going to help if nobody picks up the phone, he simply said that was all he could do for me.
At about this time, I received a call from the first person I spoke to at 9 a.m. that morning (it is now 2:30 p.m.) who was from the service contract department. She said that she received approval from her supervisor to send me a replacement unit although it would probably not be the same model. I said fine. She said she would send me a letter proposing to send me a new unit and I was to call her back if I agree to accept it. I said I agree, I agree, I agree...send it. She said no, she can't do that. She has to send me the letter first! When I get the letter, I should call her and tell her I agree! I'm not kidding.....you can't make this stuff up.
It's unbelievable.......pea soup bureaucracy......and it's their product that stopped working! And I had a service contract that I paid for!!
When I asked about getting back the CDs that were stuck in the unit that went to Philips for repair, I was told that if I'm lucky I'll get them back. What lucky?????
If the unit cannot be repaired, then open it up and remove the CDs and ship them back to me. They are mine aren't they? Or perhaps this is how the repair technicians at Philips build up their CD libraries?
On Jan. 12th I finally received a call from the status desk in response to a message I left during one of the many calls I made. A gentleman said he was going to email the repair depot to research my case and that he would call me back by 3 p.m. that day. It is now Jan. 16th and I have not heard from him.
I am posting this review at this time because I have received my replacement unit (but NOT my CDs), and I will never buy another Philips product again. I would not accept a Philips product for free if I had to go through this maze of incompetent customer service and bureaucratic fog to get service or information. If I do not get my CDs back, this letter will also be posted on every website that sells Philips products and an edited version will be sent to the CEO of Philips, USA.
My advice to all the readers of this review......think twice and very carefully before purchasing a Philips product. It may work fine for a while, but if it ever needs service, be prepared to take some time off from work to spend on the phone... and keep a bottle of aspirin or brandy nearby to deal with the frustration about to be heaped on you. Good luck!
(NOTE: For those readers of this review who feel that it was off-topic because I did not elaborate on the technical and performance aspects of the product, let me just state that I felt it was more important to emphasize the appalling service program offered by the company. Most of the mini-players in this price range are average performers and my objective in this review was to warn the readers to avoid the Philips brand when considering a purchase.)
Summary of Philips MC500 5-CD Changer Shelf System
5 CD Tray Changer / Plays CD & CD-R/RW discs / USB PC link for MP3 playback / Includes MusicMatch Jukebox softwareThe MC500 five-CD stereo shelf system is an instant home stereo with impressive digital extras. The MC500 comes ready to play with a combined receiver, CD player, and speakers. In addition to the CD changer and an AM/FM radio, you can enjoy digital audio files directly from your computer with a USB port connection.
Your digital music files will sound fantastic through the MC500's sound system. Connect your Windows-compatible computer to the unit's USB port and hear for yourself. You will need to install the included MusicMatch software in order to link your computer with the MC500. The MusicMatch Jukebox organizes your music library and allows you to create customized playlists of your favorite songs. You can make song selections on your computer or with the MC500's remote control.
The five-disc changer can play prerecorded audio CDs as well as audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs. You can program the MC500 to play CDs one by one, or with your own track order. With the remote and the front-panel controls, you can easily skip and sample tracks. A random play feature is available too.
Wake up to your favorite music or radio station with the MC500's alarm clock feature. You can also set the unit's timer to play music and shut off automatically as you fall asleep. The AM/FM radio allows you to preset 40 stations. An auto-install feature presets all available stations for you.
The MC500 features built-in equalizer settings to create the optimal sound mix. The first group of presets allows you to play rock, pop, or jazz at preset audio levels that help to bring the sound alive. You can also adjust the environmental qualities of the sound to create a cinema or concert hall sound in your living room.
The MC500's speakers have an output of 100 watts per channel. You can connect other components such as your TV, VCR, DVD player, or other audio or video components to the MC500 through a RCA audio/video input connection. A headphone jack is also featured.
What's in the Box
CD player, two speakers, USB PC link software installer CD-ROM, USB cable, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, AC power cord, remote control, two AA batteries, owner's manual.
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