Consumer Rights Act 2015 vs. Product Warranty

dl8860

dl8860

dl8860

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In 2013 I received a Loewe Speaker 2go as a Christmas present.

The other day I noticed it stopped charging, which can only be done by means of the AC charger that is supplied with it. A quick test in a shop shows that the charger is faulty, not the speaker and so I contact Loewe about a replacement.

As I'm outside the warranty period (1 year), they want to charge £30 for a replacement charger - daylight robbery!

If it was £5 or even a tenner I'd probably stump up, but £30 is taking the mick a bit.

I've never felt the need to delve in the Sale of Goods Act - now superseded by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 - but some people do say that faulty goods should be replaced under this legislation, if they aren't fit for purpose?

Section 23 explains how a replacement/repair should be carried out, but refers to section 19 as to whether or not the consumer has that right. However section 19 is where I start to lose my grasp, just too many references and it all gets a bit confusing.

Has anyone ever had any success using this to convince a company that actually within a reasonable time frame and given reasonable usage, a part that develops a fault is a breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and therefore the Trader is liable for replacement - rather than me stumping up £30 for a wall charger :mad:

Any help appreciated, cheers.
 
is a wall charger even covered or is it classed as a consumable?

After this amount of time you will have to show evidence the fault was there at time of purchase I would imagine.

The amount it would cost to get a report to confirm this would be more that it would be worth stumping up the 30 quid.
 
I don't think you can argue that it's faulty after 3 years. Whilst you'd want a charger to last longer, it's not failed within a reasonable time frame in that you'd be able to make a claim.

Have you checked the fuse, to start with?
 
Kuros said:
I don't think you can argue that it's faulty after 3 years. Whilst you'd want a charger to last longer, it's not failed within a reasonable time frame in that you'd be able to make a claim.

Have you checked the fuse, to start with?
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Was the first thing I though to check, but it's a sealed charger, glued together rather than screwed so no way I can get in without effectively destroying it.
 
If it's just a generic dc plug, I'd simply buy a 3rd party one of the right voltage/polarity, and add Loewe to the list of companies you recommend people to avoid. After 3 years I doubt you'll get anywhere with a replacement other than a gesture of goodwill
 
surely just a amazon/eBay jobbie rather than getting an official one. I cant see how you can avoid either choosing an alternative charger or coughing up as they are not obliged to give you one at this point.
 
You wouldn't be able to use an act that was brought in after the product was purchased, you'd need to argue it based on the SOGA. 3 years is beyond the 2 years the EU usually recommends with electricals so I'd just stump up and buy a charger from elsewhere for the £10-15 they usually cost. £30 seems about right for a replacement charger when you consider the cost of the speaker compared to others on the market.
 
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Ohh my bad, I think I probably assumed the charger interface was unique to Loewe, but yes it looks like other 12V 2A chargers will do the job. I suppose I'll still see if I can persuade them to send me one under good will, with buying a generic one off the rainforest for £7 a solid backup.

Cheers all.
 
You might have some luck but a customer who is willing to kick up a fuss over a charger broken way after warranty for an item he did not purchase himself but rather received as a gift, is probably one they are willing to risk letting go.
 
Avenged7Fold said:
You might have some luck but a customer who is willing to kick up a fuss over a charger broken way after warranty for an item he did not purchase himself but rather received as a gift, is probably one they are willing to risk letting go.
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Well that's one way to put it :p

On the other hand, companies selling premium products are usually good with going above and beyond with this sort of thing, and actually less than 3 years for a charger to go zip like that is not really on in my eyes. Can't hurt to ask.
 
dl8860 said:
Well that's one way to put it :p

On the other hand, companies selling premium products are usually good with going above and beyond with this sort of thing, and actually less than 3 years for a charger to go zip like that is not really on in my eyes. Can't hurt to ask.
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Do contact them, it's always worth it. You will give the entire office a good laugh when they print and distribute your email around :D:D
 
pepsilol said:
Do contact them, it's always worth it. You will give the entire office a good laugh when they print and distribute your email around :D:D
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You must have to work in a pretty dull office if a customer asking to return a charger is a highlight of the day and gives everyone a good laugh! :D
 
Well I've asked so we'll see what they come back with. Nothing to lose and potentially a charger to gain.
 
The Consumer Rights Act doesn't apply to you, the product was purchased before October 2015. As this still is covered by the Sales of Goods Act you'd have to prove that the faulty charger is due to a manufacturing defect which is unlikely considering it's worked for nearly 3 years. A £30 product that has lasted 3 years is probably also going to be deemed to be of satisfactory quality too.
 
just goto the high street electronics shop thats not really a competitor of OCUK but you probably can't mention them here anyway.

its likely 5-10 for a charger
 
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