Sony SLV-N88 4-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR
Should have invested my money in Martha instead!
The unit is a little over one year old.  Realistically used about three dozen times in that span because it is in our den and we have other units in other rooms we typically watch TV in.  At about nine months old the video playback became awful: it was very &quot;scratchy&quot; and the audio disappeared.  I thought it must have been my kids' Disney tapes or perhaps just needed a head cleaning.  Tried new tapes and cleaning the heads with a dry cassette that also demagnetizes.  It didn't cure the problem and I wrote it off to the fact that the head cleaner was several years old.  Unfortunately, I didn't purchase a new head cleaner until after the warranty expired and met with the same results.  Called Sony, explained the pre-warranty expiration problem and was told I could get a refurbished unit for a flat rate; about $89 (for a freakin' unit that costs about $100 new!).  Unbelievable!  I pressed the tech to speak with his supervisor to overlook the expiration in light of my house being filled with Sony products and my long history of purchasing only Sony.  I was told they would review my claim.  Still waiting three weeks later I called to follow up and was told they do not have any record of my complaint.  What a joke for this company.  They again said a senior customer advisor would review my claim and get back to me.  Still waiting and they won't answer my e-mails.  {Gave up on the phone - totally useless service.)  Well, Consumer Reports rates Toshiba highly.  Bought a DVD/TV combo that works great.  We'll see in a year.