TV faulty under guarantee but Company went bust - what are my rights?

Stopura

Bought a 42" Hitachi LCD from Empire Direct for £600 in March 2008 with 3 year guarantee. After 7-8 months a large circular shadow appeared then a triangular one in the corner. Assumed it was 'screen burn' and I would have no comeback. Now each corner has a large triangular shadow and I asked a friend who knows about TVs and he reckons the panel is faulty.

Now as Empire Direct went bust would I have any hope contacting Hitachi? Even if its only a 12 month warranty with them under the Sale Of Goods Act should it not be expected to last longer? Or as Richer Sounds seem to have purchased Empire Direct would my existing 3 year guarantee still be applicable with them?

Cheers for any feedback

derrick

You could try Hitachi, but your contract was with Empire.

Unlikely Richer Sounds will take on the warranty, but you could ask hem.

How did you pay?
If by CC or finance then contact the CC company or finance company as they are jointly liable under SoGA.

Stopura

sadly I paid by VISA Debit Card so I don't think I have any comeback. I have been looking on the internet and read somewhere that Richer Sounds have been helpful with extended warranties purchased from Empire Direct but don't know for sure on this matter.

Anyone have any experiences or advice?

Will probably give Richer Sounds a call tommorrow and hope for the best.

yummymummy79

Bear in mind that warranty and SOGA are totally different and unrelated so make sure you use the right terminology when you contact each party! Hitachi are only responsible for the period they give the guarantee/warranty for, regardless of how long you would expect the TV to last. Got a bit confused with the 3 year warranty bit but assuming it is an extended warranty that you paid extra for? If it is and it was bought from Empire Direct themselves then just unlucky I'm afraid. If you bought it from their finance arm etc that didn't go bust, then you should be OK going with them.

Anything like expectation of lifespan, fitness for purpose etc would have been against Empire but obv that isn't an option for you now as they don't exist. You haven't got any rights against Richer Sounds but if they offer to do anything then it would be goodwill only so can't enforce anything against them.

Stopura

Yep I think if I get anything from Richer Sounds or Hitachi it will only be a goodwill gesture. The warranty I purchased was in the form of their 'EdExtra' Membership card which automatically put a 3 year warranty on the TV so I think I'm knackered with that one and with the 12 months part and labour with Hitachi also having expired it doesnt look too good.

Stopura

so judging by what yummymummy79 is saying am I in no position to argue a case? To be honest I could imagine getting myself in a muddle re the Sale Of Goods Act as I wouldnt really know what I'm talking about so is my best bet just to explain the situation and hope for sympathy?

cheers

KeithP

Stopura wrote: »

so judging by what yummymummy79 is saying am I in no position to argue a case? To be honest I could imagine getting myself in a muddle re the Sale Of Goods Act as I wouldnt really know what I'm talking about so is my best bet just to explain the situation and hope for sympathy?

cheers

Yes, your best bet is to talk to Richer Sounds and/or Hitachi asking them nicely if there is anything they can do to help you.

If they both say they can do nothing, then you will have to pay someone (Hitachi or other repairer) to fix it. Or throw it away if repair is too expensive.

Have a look closely at your extended warranty documentation. If it backed by an insurance company that is still trading, then it would be worth contacting them.

Mankysteve

I would contact Richer Sounds they have the best customer services of any company i've brought from. If you have to buy a new TV I can't recomend there extened warrenty enough they'll even give the money back to you if you dont use it.

derrick

And for future reference, use a Credit Card if the purchase is in excess 0f £100. even if you only put a small deposit with the CC, as you will then have full cover under Section 75 for the whole amount.