Problem with laptop from Viking Direct and they've only offered £50!

Swoxy

We have been a loyal customer of Viking Direct for many years. On 15 November 2007 we placed an order for a Medion laptop for £399.99. Since then, several keys have stopped working and some keys have fallen off. The laptop is not used often and is handled with care.

I sent a letter to Viking Direct requesting that the laptop is repaired or replaced as The Sale of Goods Act 1979 makes it an implied term of the contract that goods be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. They have called me and said Medion have quoted between £120 and £150 to repair it and have only offered £50!

Where shall I go from here?

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

50 quid for a few keys on an 18 month laptop seems fair to me. A local PC shop will probably replace them or fix it for half that.

Swoxy

I've taken it to a couple of local shops who've said they can't fix it.

olly300

While the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as amended states that goods should be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose if you take it to court the type of item you are applying it to will be very much considered. So a cheap sports watch used every other day would not be expected to last more than 2 years there as a washing machine used every day would be expected to last 5 years.

Unfortunately computer equipment like PCs and laptops is technically obsolete within 2 years and old technology after a year. So companies tend* to offer a year guarantee on laptops due to the mobile nature of their use, and 2 years on desktops.

Your best bet is to take the £50 and go and find a local (not chain) fixer of computers to replace the keyboard. You will get it fixed for much cheaper than £120 as it's not a hard job.

*Some companies offer more but not for all components i.e. I had a monitor that had a 2 year guarantee and after 3 years I had to replace it. There as the PC it came with had a 3 year guarantee and is still working 5 years later.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

I'd be intriged as to how Medion could quote without seeing the laptop anyway.

If you don't think its repairable for 50 quid of course turn it down however I wonder how sucessful you will be given its keys and around 18 months down the line,

I will be intrigued to see the outcome as have an issue with my own laptop

olly300

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

I'd be intriged as to how Medion could quote without seeing the laptop anyway.

It's a simple job of replacing the keyboard which is why they can quote.

I've had my own laptop keyboard replaced.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

If you don't think its repairable for 50 quid of course turn it down however I wonder how sucessful you will be given its keys and around 18 months down the line,

The problem with the other shops is they probably can't get the replacement part. If the OP can get the replacement part then s/he may have a hope of getting it done cheaper.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

I will be intrigued to see the outcome as have an issue with my own laptop

If it's a well known brand then you shouldn't have a problem getting a local shop to repair it.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

I know that but its completely dead after 13 months ( I suspect the motherboard) thus I am trying to get the retailer to replace or repair it.

If they dont I will likely replace it as I dont want to get it fixed at my cost as Id rather upgrade.