Because that would probably cost more than simply getting rid of the old stock and replacing them with new televisions.

Exactly. Mrs Sommaruga and her organisation proved very very often that the customers have far more rights than most people imagine. And according even to latest reports, the "Konsumentenschutz" still is quite effective.

But THIS of course is only ONE thing. The normal procedure in such cases is that the customers gets an offer to rent a TV for a crucial interim period at favourable rates or even free, as a kind of marketing. It of course depends on how many such cases there are at Samsung-Migros
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A friend recently considered both Migros-Samsung and Microspot (not sure about the trademark of the TV). His wife and him in the end decided in favour of Microspot (sightly cheaper, and rather better info) and he now is quite happy
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If there are many such cases of Samsung-Migros, it may cost Migros market-shares, and even some percentage-points are recorded in HQ. So that the lack of service may cost somebody his job
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I still remember how I in about 98 reported an "inappropriate behaviour" of a COOP branch manager with all precise details to the COOP Zch HQ, and was told that they would take care of the matter. When I next time visited the shop, there was a new branch manager in charge
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back to square one. The Konsumentenschutz is the way to go !

His partner company originally was Migros, and THE partner was the
M-Electronics outlet in question.

I have bought electronics from Migros.
They always let me have 1-to-1 exchange with no involvement with the manufacturer. They even give me back the money, when I said I did not like it (using it for 1 week).
They have moneyback guarantee (or is it only a limited time promotion?)

I propose you ask them for help. They may loan you a temp TV set?
I have one spare 42inch but then I don't really want to loan it to you.

Good luck!

This was your main mistake I would go straight back to Migros if it was so new bit late now. If its only a week that they had it then you are being a bit rough on them since there is no reason why they shouldn't have the opportunity to repair it under warranty, a week is hardly the end of the world

Got the TV back from Samsung's repair people. Sertronics http://www.sertronics.ch/
The screen has been replaced with one that works, albeit covered in scratches.

Now this is where Sertronics abysmal service takes a new twist....they wanted us to send photos of the damage and of the unscathed box. Upon receipt they then insisted that we reported the problem to the delivery company.
The poor delivery company have no involvement, it's totally evident that they're not to blame. Furthermore why the hell have I got to manage the whole process?

Warning.....Sertronics (on behalf of Samsung) are bordering on a criminal enterprise. Be warned!!!

contact samsung HQ if the local lot are unhappy - i have made contact with HQ's in the past and had wonderful service shortly after - but dont be emotional.

unfortunately Sertronics seem to handle most electronics companies warantee repairs here

You really should have returned it to Migros. Legally they are the people you contracted with and on the whole their after-sales service is excellent. They give you 2 year cover whatever the manufacturer, for example.
I don't see how you can get Migros involved know. You don't have the TV set anymore and there's not a great deal they can do for you.
Legally Samsung have no obligation to replace the set, only to repair it, but again if you had dealt with Migros, I've had appliances replaced when they were faulty.