Advice required -Apple computer

superkeen2save

I'm really interested in this thread as I'm in pretty much the same position. Bought an Apple eMac from John Lewis with a 2 year guarantee and the hard disk died just a couple of months out of the guarantee period. John Lewis's authorised repairer quoted between £200 and £400 + VAT to fix it.

Having become totally accustomed to being able to use the computer and internet and email we reluctantly purchased a new Apple Mac laptop (also from John Lewis). This was a hasty decision and exacerbated by a total lack of after sales advice from JL and a strong desire to remain online and contactable.

A few months later we're now still fuming about this unnecessary expense as our bank balance has gradually dwindled to nowt (very tight budget - 2 small children and husband a student nurse). Surely it's not too much to expect an expensive piece of computer kit to last a fair few years - we've owned Apples before and not had any problems.

Can anyone advise as perhaps we have in our favour the fact that we paid by credit card. Thanks

Helix

Kavanne wrote: »

I know that when I bought my MacBook in Dec 06 that it came with a 3 yr parts + labour warranty. This was because I bought the item from the Higher Education store and comps bought from this store come with the extended 3 yr warranty not just a 1 yr one like the standard comps. Also, did he purchase Applecare? If so he should be covered by that.

Everything seems to be done by computer there. I've never needed to show a receipt/proof of purchase when I've taken items in for repair.

This only applies online or by phone though, as the OP mentions it was paid for by cash, I'm guessing it was instore and therefore will only have a 1yr Warranty unless AppleCare was purchased.

taxiphil

uktim29 wrote: »

Taxiphil expects bread to last six years as well.:rotfl:

No, I don't expect bread to last six years.

I expect a £900 computer to last four years.

Anyway, thanks for your contribution to the thread.

moneysaver_77

Hi all,

Just a quick update. My friend had the computer checked out. The hard drive is beyond repair so he decided to pay for a new one £75 for 160GB. This guy is so impatient!!

He also got a letter stating the screen connections are ok and that the repairer feels its an internal leak. He is now going to send off a letter asking for the repair of the screen and money back for the cost of the hard drive, its replacement or data recovery from it. He will give them 14 days to reply if not take them to court. Is he along the right lines?

moneysaver_77

Hi all,

Here is a letter that my mate is about to fire off to Apple. Any thoughts? Could it be made stronger?

I am writing to you as requested with regards to my Apple Mac serial number:……… As discussed in our telephone conversion, I feel faults which have occurred contravene the Sales of Goods act. The screen had issues after about 13 months and the hard drive has totally packed up in the last month or so. I took the computer to your Leeds store where I had purchased the item and they advised the repairs will cost between £400 to £600. Having paid £900 I find this totally unacceptable after such a short space of time.
I have had the computer independently assessed as discussed in our telephone conversion. I have enclosed a copy of the report along with an invoice to have the hard drive replaced as a temporary measure. After speaking with the repairer he states that there are no signs of misuse and he feels in his professional opinion that the computer was purchased with these defects.
I have found your response a little disappointing especially for a large organization like yourself. The reason I paid £900 was I thought that I was buying quality from a reputable company, however this has not been the case. I know the computer is out of warranty but after speaking with Trading Standards they feel that I have a right to repair or replacement under the sales of goods act.
I am thereby requesting a full repair or replacement of my Apple Mac plus costs incurred of £75. I expect a full written response within 14 days of this letter and if the outcome is not of a satisfactory conclusion I will proceed to reclaim the full costs of the computer along with any costs incurred by myself and any time spent in processing this claim through the courts.

moneysaver_77

Just a quick update. Apple have got in contact and agreed to replace the motherboard. I was told this is the most expensive part of the computer! They will not refund the cost of the new hard drive (fair enough). They have agreed to look at the old hard drive to see if data can be retrieved and there maybe a cost involved. Not a bad result!

Jakg

Mobo = anywhere between £30 and £80 usually.

Hard Drive = £30 to £50 usually.

Data Recovery = anywhere from £0 to many thousands for forensic recovery.