Warranty question

rainbow_carnage

I bought a Toshiba laptop in November 2008. In the time that I've had it, I've sent it away twice to get it repaired. Both times it was the same problem - it wouldn't charge because the connection between the adapter and the laptop is loose. Both times they just replaced the adapter. I told them that the problem is with the socket, but it was easier (and cheaper) for them to replace the adapter. Of course, once the plug wore down a little, the problem returned.

So last night it stopped charging again, only now it's out of warranty. My question is, are the good people of Toshiba supposed to fix it for free, since it's the same problem that I had when it was still under warranty? Had they fixed it properly the last time, I wouldn't have the problem now.

Has anyone had a similar issue? I've tried calling Toshiba, but they're closed today (which, btw, is really annoying. It's not a bank holiday. I need the laptop to work.).

davb

A lot would depend on when the last repair was done, if it was recent you would have more chance. Either way you need to stick to the point that you consider the warranty repair was not completed correctly. You would be better putting it in writing to their head office.
BTW it is a bank holiday today

rainbow_carnage

Is it? Oops. I guess that would explain why there was no post. Must be because Boxing Day fell on a Saturday.

Marty_J

I would have thought the repair itself would have been warrantied for a certain amount of time. Regardless, you've clearly been experiencing this problem since the laptop was in warranty, and they failed to resolve it, so I would argue that the fact it is no longer in warranty is inconsequential.

p.s. I always think it's funny when people say there's no post because the banks are closed.

rainbow_carnage

Just to follow up in case someone else has a similar problem. I called Toshiba. They said that they could pick up the laptop but they could not guarantee that it would be repaired under the warranty as it didn't sound like a manufacturer's defect. I argued that it's either a defect or their shoddy repair work, but they wouldn't listen.

The guy said that if they decide that it's not covered, they'd contact me with a repair quote. If I rejected the quote, it would cost £77+ just to get the laptop back unfixed from the repair centre (which is now in mainland Europe).

Obviously, I'm not too happy about this. I've just penned a letter to their head office. Hopefully they'll change their mind.

rainbow_carnage

computershack wrote: »

Part of the problem is that these faults tend to usually be caused by the end user putting undue stress on the socket. I've never broken one, neither have my friends. We've all had laptops for years.

I got my first laptop when I was 14. I'm 29 now. In the 15 years, I've had seven or eight different laptops. This is the first that has had this problem.

This laptop is too heave to carry around (I have a netbook, as well). It mostly sits on a table. Occasionally, I hold it in my lap. I can't imagine that I'm putting undue stress on any part of it.

nomoneytoday

A local indy repair place should be able to fix it for around £40
Not free, but half the price of the postage mentioed above...