Should I expect uniform color from a $300 19" LCD?

[ColKurtz]

I recently purchased a 19" LCD monitor from WalMart.com. I know it's not the greatest monitor but A) It didn't involve rebates, B)I couldn't be patient for killer deals as my only other (old 17" CRT) crapped out, and C) $300 was at the highest end of what my wife was willing to let me pay. I know prices are falling but this seemed like a good deal at the right time.

Anyway, I received it the other day and for the most part love it (coming from a 6-yr old 17" CRT will do that to you). The only annoying thing is that there is a "smear" in the entrie top-left quadrant. It is difficult to explain but analagous to painting a canvas a dark color and then smearing one quarter of it with a wet brush.
It is completely unnoticable 75% of the time. The only time it is noticeable is when there is a very dark background. Unfortunately, I am partial to dark themes.

My question is whether anyone thinks this monitor is a QA reject from some other, higher-priced model, and going through the hassle of exchanging it (they don't have them in-store) will probably result in a new monitor with a different problem.

Thanks.

 

[Slappy00]

You Get What you Pay for


/has sony SDM-HS94P, and loves the 19" checking account crusher

 

[selfbuilt]

You have a valid concern about all these monitors having problems, given their low cost. I guess it's a question of whether you can live with the current deficit. If you can't, and they don't stock replacements locally, then I'd consider getting my money back and buying a brand name entry-level 17inch LCD instead (viewable area would still be slightly greater than your old crt).