iPhone or not iPhone?!

colinm

I bought a battery powered 'powerstick' for my iPhone yesterday from a high street electronics shop. The packaging stated that it was suitable for the iPhone.

However, after unpacking and testing, it didn't work.

Took it back to shop and was told that if I'd asked, I would have found out that it wasn't suitable for the iPhone 3G or 3GS. I have a 3G, so I asked for a refund, as the packaging or the retailer didn't tell me. However, they would only give me a refund for the amount less 10%, as the packaging had been opened.

I think they have broken the law here, but what do you think? If the packaging says it works for an iPhone, then surely it should no matter what the model? Just the same as it also said it was suitable for Nokia and other makes - how would I know if it would work with a Nokia N95, for example?

I argued and gave in after a while as the amount in question was small, but I think the retailer is in the wrong - the onus shouldn't be on the consumer to ask when the packaging is perfectly clear - but maybe I'm wrong??

Any opinons?

Thanks!

Meepster

Well, the packaging was obviously clear.

To me it looks like it said on the packaging "for iPhone"

But nowhere did it say "for iPhone 3G" or "for iPhone 3Gs"

casper_g

That doesn't seem fair/right -- if a mobile phone accessory said "for Nokia" without specifying a particular model, you wouldn't be happy to be told "ah, it works with Nokia but only the old 6230 not the N96 you have", would you?

foxy-roxy

Curry's won't refund at all if you damage the packaging on a product, so -10% is better than nothing at all.
It doesn't seem fair though, because some of the packaging on items HAS to be cut open to get the thing out.
Drives me mad.

colinm

mwilletts wrote: »

Well, the packaging was obviously clear.

To me it looks like it said on the packaging "for iPhone"

But nowhere did it say "for iPhone 3G" or "for iPhone 3Gs"

No, exactly - I did take a picture (on my iPhone, of course) of the offending packaging, and no-where did it say 'not for 3G/3Gs' or some small print which stated that not all models are supported. I'll post a pic of it on here when I get home.

It is very annoying about the packaging - I can understand from the retailer's point of view, but the law's the law, and if manufacturers want to use that stupid hard plastic stuff that you have to cut open, then retailers can't expect this sort of thing never to happen!

Anyway, I rang the customer services of this company (s*d it, may as well name and shame - Maplin) to complain, and they started off with the same line that they can't guarantee compatibility, but when I said that in my view this was breaking the consumer law, they told me just to put it in writing.

At the end of the day it's not much money but I probably will write just to try and fight a principle. Furthermore, I told the sales assistant that they've lost on a bigger sale, as I would have bought a more expensive battery pack for the iPhone from them (after getting it in writing from the manager that it would work on my iPhone of course), but I will get it elsewhere now.

Esqui

It was probably produced when the original iphone was made...hence they had no idea about the 3G or 3GS.

And look at it from the other side: if you go to buy your new battery pack and it's been opened, would you be happy to take it?

vyle

Well, 3G and 3GS are different models. If they listed everything it WASN'T compatible with, then the packaging would be as long as a loo roll.

It's the same as when people think "sony bravia" is a single model of TV rather than noticing that there are tonnes of different models.

colinm

Yes, you've both got good points and I understand that - the packaging probably was created before the 3G and 3Gs came out.

However, by applying my logic, and taking your Bravia example, if you bought an All-in-One remote control that said it was compatible with Sony Bravias, would you accept responsibility if it didn't work with the latest Bravia that had just come out in the last few months?