Laptop question - what are my rights?

MehulLakhani · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:41

Hi guys

I bought a laptop from a large uk based co about 14mnths ago. About 2 months ago I started to notice that the plastic above the hinge section is starting to crack.

Anyways, I have contacted them,and have been told that as its outof warranty, they dont want to know.

I dont think that its reasonable for a laptop to crack apart after 14mnths; what are my rights under the sale of goods act - surely the laptop is not fit for its intended purpose, if after 1yr of use it starts to crack apart.

Do you think I have a decent case ?

R

Mehul

PS - I didnt pay - my old laptop broke, and my home contents covered it, and got me a laptop through this co.

basmic · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:42

a) Edit out the competitor

b) How did you pay?

Davey_Pitch · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:49

Do you have a receipt at all? The Sale of Goods Act does indeed protect you here, as long as you can prove you bought the product from them. Check out http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/salegoodsact.htm for a bit more info.

phykell · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:49

1. Wrong forum - suggest "General Hardware"
2. Mentioned a likely competitor
3. You do have a good case. The laptop or indeed any retail product must be of "Satisfactory quality" and a laptop hinge clearly should last more than 14 months. If it went to a small claims court you'd win easily but here are some links to try:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/guides_to/law_goods.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/guides_to/law_supply.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law/smallclaimscourt.shtml

Write to them first quoting the Sales of Goods Act, and offer them the chance to replace, repair or refund with a reasonable time limit and if they don't comply give them one more chance before threatening them with a small claims case. Good luck

MehulLakhani · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:51

I dont have a receipt - but the serial number on the bottom proves the date it was purchased etc etc - and they acknowledge all this

R

Mehul

basmic · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:53

MehulLakhani said:
I dont have a receipt - but the serial number on the bottom proves the date it was purchased etc etc - and they acknowledge all this

R

Mehul

Which payment method did you use?

If by card, you can likely order a statement from your bank or credit-card company.

Davey_Pitch · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:54

basmic said:
Which payment method did you use?

If by card, you can likely order a statement from your bank or credit-card company.

He's already said he didn't pay himself.

basmic · 10 Apr 2006 at 23:55

Davey_Pitch said:
He's already said he didn't pay himself.

I see - I missed the edit.

unknowndomain · 11 Apr 2006 at 00:36

To be honest I dont see why he has any rights as its out of warrenty and suppliers would probably claim that he miss treated it, not that i want you to loose but if the supplyer is who i think then there name rhymes with what they are... d!*#s and they wont give you any thing.

Clarkey · 11 Apr 2006 at 02:48

its out of warranty, I wouldnt expect anyone to be willing to help you FOC. Is it an Acer laptop btw? My sisters acer has cracked plastic on the hinges and on inspection it is only the plastic cover which is broken, the actual hinge is fine underneath.

danza · 11 Apr 2006 at 02:54

Chuck it down the stairs, then drop it in the bath, then put it in the freezer, then set it on fire, then for a proper OcUK send off smear mustard all over the screen.

Cue phone call to insurance company - et voila! New lappy!

No, don't do that. Surely if it looks as though it will drop to bits you have some comeback as it's not too old? Have you used it much? It may just be put down to excessive wear and tear.

Good luck anyhow!

nealw · 11 Apr 2006 at 02:57

danza said:
Chuck it down the stairs, then drop it in the bath, then put it in the freezer, then set it on fire, then for a proper OcUK send off smear mustard all over the screen.

Cue phone call to insurance company - et voila! New lappy!

No, don't do that.

good to see you are not advocating fraud in any way lol

AtreuS · 11 Apr 2006 at 07:57

You will eventually win if you persue the old "fit for use" thing far enough.... most people give up when its time to start paying possible court fees however. ( and 99% of compaines know it!)

dragonflyy · 11 Apr 2006 at 08:37

phykell said:
1. Wrong forum - suggest "General Hardware"

Write to them first quoting the Sales of Goods Act, and offer them the chance to replace, repair or refund with a reasonable time limit and if they don't comply give them one more chance before threatening them with a small claims case. Good luck

Why is it in the wrong forum? It's more of a consumer issue :confused:

AtreuS · 11 Apr 2006 at 09:52

Yeah id say its in the right part of the forums.... consumer issue not hardware question.

VIRII · 11 Apr 2006 at 09:58

Clarkey said:
its out of warranty, I wouldnt expect anyone to be willing to help you FOC. Is it an Acer laptop btw? My sisters acer has cracked plastic on the hinges and on inspection it is only the plastic cover which is broken, the actual hinge is fine underneath.

unknowndomain said:
To be honest I dont see why he has any rights as its out of warrenty and suppliers would probably claim that he miss treated it, not that i want you to loose but if the supplyer is who i think then there name rhymes with what they are... d!*#s and they wont give you any thing.

Because as a consumer you have statutory rights and they are usually WAY more favourable than the "warranty". Companies rely on your ignorance of your statutory rights to get away with some very unfair practices and fob you off.

When you buy an item it should be fit for purpose and of reasonable quality. It should remain free from defect for a reasonable length of time and 14 months is far from reasonable.

Readup on the links above, get to know your statutory rights and you WILL save yourself a fortune in the long run. The warranty is generally a con to make you think that you have no comeback after 12 months. Under the LAW you have a lot of comeback.