Faulty laptop 20 months old.

amistupid

In October 2007 I purhased a new Toshiba A200 laptop at £550 from PC World, it has died today. It came with a one year guarantee.

What consumer rights do I have?

I'm I covered by European directive 1999/44 EC stating that the item should have a warranty period of at least two years?

How do I go about it?

Do I take it back to PC World or do I take the matter up with Toshiba?

What if I take it back to PC World and they say tough it's out of guarantee?

Thanks Adey

Esqui

amistupid wrote: »

I'm I covered by European directive 1999/44 EC stating that the item should have a warranty period of at least two years?

Firstly, it doesn't say this exactly.

Secondly, it's best to go via Head Office for this. The stores are unable to book repairs on out-of-warranty items.

Also, check that it's nothing obvious that's caused the problem. Try an ATX reset if you haven't already.

amistupid

Made all the obvious checks etc and posted on the techie board it does look seriously ill.

So do I write to PC World Head Office with details and citing a claim under EU legislation and hope that they'll offer a free repair?.

Esqui

Cite the UK legislation, it's better.

And yes, just explain the situation and you feel it's not lasted as long as it should.

amistupid

Esqui wrote: »

Cite the UK legislation, it's better.

And yes, just explain the situation and you feel it's not lasted as long as it should.

Thanks very much again.

What UK legislation?

I didn't know there was any, under these circumstances.

Have you a link please.

I 'm not being cheeky and really appreciate your help I just want to make sure I've got my rights straight.

Leo2020

The Sale of Goods Act applies in the UK. And in England you can make a claim under it for up to 6 years after purchase. However, this doesn't mean you have a 6 year warrenty nor that the product should last for 6 years. How long a product should last depends on several factors including what it is, how it has been used, price paid, etc.

Write to PC World Customer Services. All head office letters get forwarded to them anyway. So writing to head office just means it takes longer to get a response.

Tell them that you would like to make a claim under The Sale of Goods Act. Advise them that you believe that the laptop has not lasted a reasonable amount of time and you would like for them to provide a remedy.

Personally I would call PC World or email stating the above first before writing (if it is a telephone call make sure they log it). As all they will do is write back and ask you to provide an engineer's report outlining the fault, the fault's cause and an estimate for repair. You might as well just be told this over the phone than wait a couple of weeks to receive a letter telling you this.

The reason they will ask for a report is that the laptop is over 6 months old and therefore the burden of proof is on you. This means that you have to provide evidence of the fault, its cause, etc. Under 6 months the burden of proof is on the retailer.

However, if your claim is valid any costs incurred for the report will be refunded by PC World.

amistupid

Leo2020 wrote: »

The Sale of Goods Act applies in the UK. And in England you can make a claim under it for up to 6 years after purchase. However, this doesn't mean you have a 6 year warrenty nor that the product should last for 6 years. How long a product should last depends on several factors including what it is, how it has been used, price paid, etc.

Write to PC World Customer Services. All head office letters get forwarded to them anyway. So writing to head office just means it takes longer to get a response.

Tell them that you would like to make a claim under The Sale of Goods Act. Advise them that you believe that the laptop has not lasted a reasonable amount of time and you would like for them to provide a remedy.

Personally I would call PC World or email stating the above first before writing (if it is a telephone call make sure they log it). As all they will do is write back and ask you to provide an engineer's report outlining the fault, the fault's cause and an estimate for repair. You might as well just be told this over the phone than wait a couple of weeks to receive a letter telling you this.

The reason they will ask for a report is that the laptop is over 6 months old and therefore the burden of proof is on you. This means that you have to provide evidence of the fault, its cause, etc. Under 6 months the burden of proof is on the retailer.

However, if your claim is valid any costs incurred for the report will be refunded by PC World.

Thany you very much for your clear and informative response. I shall proceed as directed. :T

Adey.

olly300

amistupid wrote: »

Thany you very much for your clear and informative response. I shall proceed as directed. :T

Adey.

When you telephone PC World do it on a phone that you have an itemised bill for.

That way you have proof that you called them.

Also keep a note book to hand and make notes including time, date, who you spoke to, what they briefly said.

Unfortunately companies will often deny you called them if it is to their detriment.

That way if the worse comes to the worse and you have to report them to trading standards and start court action you have clear proof that you made all reasonable steps to sort the issue out.