Argos & Ipod Mini

Stiltskin_2

I have an iPod mini, bought from Argos a little over 4 months ago. I went to overseas shortly after buying it for 2 months and didn't take it with me (didn't want to risk it being lost/damaged).

Anyway I've come back and since using it a few times over December/January it keeps freezing up and I have to wait until the battery runs out before I can do anything.

Unhappy with this I returned it to Argos Wimbledon branch and they insisted all they had to do would be send it off for repair. I said that I'd rather have a replacement or refund. They don't stock these anymore and refused me a refund. I'd rather not have to wait the 2 months or so whilst it is sent off and fixed (which I doubt it would be) so I'd appreciate any advice.

loopyloulou_3

i know this isnt much help but mine does this too! and it is 1 month out of the year warranty.

Could you take it back direct to an Apple shop?

Stiltskin_2

Legally I know my contract is with Argos (where I bought it) so I'm going to have to deal with them. Where did you buy yours from Loopyloulou? Can you take yours back to the shop and ask them?

loopyloulou_3

i havent yet! i thought that as i have had it for 13 months that i would have no chance of getting it sorted out! although i keep thinking i will pop into apple and ask them what i can do about it.

Stiltskin_2

I don't think 13 months is a reasonable time for this product to last. I think I will push for a refund and buy something else.

loopyloulou_3

mine was an xmas pressie from last year, so i might ask in Apple. I can imagine their CS is quite good.
If i were you I would def get a refund from Argos. I have found they generally give you your money back without too much hassle. Im not sure i would get another ipod tho! although i love mine, i agree that 13 months for an expensive mp3 player to last is rubbish!!!

bank_of_slate

ipods are terrible for this!
Having gone through 3 myself (purchased from PC world who were very helpful and replaced the product without question) The battery is a huge problem with ipods (Mine was a shuffle)
Apple just won't admit it in the UK...they did in the States
After the 3rd one stopped working PC World let me choose an alternative product or a refund!
...Linda xx

Rubyru_3

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/ go through the troubleshooter.

I did this with ds ipod shuffle and they sent a new one .I did have to provide them with my card no incase the faulty one wasn't returned .All went smoothly and the new one was here within 48hrs.

hjb123

Yeah bypass Argos and go direct to the manufacturers! You will probably get better results that way!

stugib

Stiltskin wrote:

they insisted all they had to do would be send it off for repair. I said that I'd rather have a replacement or refund. They don't stock these anymore and refused me a refund. I'd rather not have to wait the 2 months or so whilst it is sent off and fixed (which I doubt it would be) so I'd appreciate any advice.
<snip>
I don't think 13 months referring to loopyloulou is a reasonable time for this product to last. I think I will push for a refund and buy something else.

I'd agree about the reasonable time (whether it be 4 or 13 months), but this doesn't mean you're entitled to a refund. I know some on here disagree, but my interpretation of the DTI/trading standards information is pretty clear - you are entitled for it to be repaired or replaced, though I'm not sure who has the decision - you or Argos. If it can't be repaired or replaced in a reasonable time, then you can get a refund, but are only entitled to a partial refund depending on how much use you've had from it.

I'm open to be convinced that this isn't right - I'm sure laws are made to have a hint of ambiguity to keep lawyers in jobs, but that's how I read it (see #18 on http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=145173&page=2). If it were as simple as being entitled to a refund when anything goes faulty months after purchase, then everyone would be taking stuff back and buying a newer model.

Sometimes it's better to let retailers or manufacturers take their recommended route, and use your rights as a fallback if they don't meet your expectations. hjb123 may be right in this case - e.g. a recent laptop purchased from Comet went wrong after a month, but going through Acer as recommended by Comet resulted in a quick, full refund. Things do go wrong and retailers do have systems in place to deal with faulty products. If they try to wriggle out of their responsibilities, then bring your rights into it.

Stuart

Stiltskin_2

Yes it does seem a little fuzzy. However as I've only been able to test it over a month, I would argue that I haven't taken an unreasonable amount of time to examine it. Also sending it off to repair is inconvinent to me I've already been unable to use it properly since starting to use it I just want something I can use.