Warning: Buying an eBook from Waterstones

LoveFool731

I bought a Sony PRS 600 for £249, 20 days ago.

After using it, I realise the things are far from fantastic and it ends up hurting my eyes (grey text on a grey background). The store had some on demo... under specially placed tube lights. Under normal household / bedside lights, the screen reflection is massive!

Because of this, I see the device as not fit for purpose. It could possibly in my opinion due to the eye strain, cause damage to your eyesight.

Waterstones receipts say on the reverse...

"Waterstone's is happy to exchange or refund your items on presentation of a valid receipt. Goods must be returned within 21 days of purchase and be in perfect condition."

The line the store takes is that they do not accept returns. It must be taken up with Sony. Even if the item is unfit for use.

"Didn't you see the sign?"... to which the sales assistant (possibly manager by this point) rummaged through a stack of papers behind the til before finding it. "It was up when you bought it... we've replaced the sign now with that one"... which says pretty much what the receipt says, but nothing about exclusions.

The amount of money I spend on books per year is probably double the £249 for the reader... yet they have just lost a customer permanently.

The waterstones website also states:-

Can I return my Reader?
nb: Waterstones.com do not offer refunds or replacements on unwanted Readers.

Isn't that illegal? I gave them money, and the item is (questionably) unfit for purpose.

My advice: Do not buy an eReader from Waterstones... they will not accept it back. If you must buy an eReader, buy a Sony PRS 505... these have much less glare and a far higher contrast (black text on white screen).

Fran

You do have a right to a refund, exchange or replacement (if not fit for purpose etc.).

See Consumer Direct.gov for information, you might also want to contact your local Trading Standards.

LoveFool731

Thanks for the links!

But bah!... I don't think I've got a leg to stand on...

"Goods are of ‘Satisfactory quality’ if they reach the standard a reasonable person would expect taking into account the price and any description."

There's 1000's of people using these things in exactly the same condition, quite happily. Sadly, under those circumstances I fall into the "fussy person" category rather than "reasonable person".

It is still upsetting... to me this was quite a large investment to save (space and cash) in the long-run. On the display, the lighting is not that as you would have in a typical home, so they look fine!

Looks like the only option remaining is to fit strip-lighting across the whole of my bedroom ceiling.

:undecided