We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

BBC iplayer on Bush freesat box

Options
Hi, After waiting for months to get BBC iplayer on my Bush Freesat box I was exited to hear that it was at last available. So I waited for the upgrade and I duly got the first part of this upgrade. When nothing happened I went to the Bush digital website as requested only to find that my box needed an upgrade to work with iplayer. I rang the number given and was told that I would have to pay £14.99 for a new box. When I pointed out that the sale of goods act covered items for six years from the date of purchase I was told this only covered the retailer and not the manufacturer. So I duly rang Argos were i bought the box (who incidently own Bush), and was told that they would exchange the box if it was less than twelve months old. Upon pointing out again that it was covered for six years, I was told they would then only replace it if I could supply an enginneers report which clearly stated that the box was unfit for purpose. It seems to me that the sale of goods act has no teeth at all and that retailers and manufacturers can get away with anything. I wonder if anyone agrees?

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,340 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have you actually read SOGA? It seems not. Look at Martin's article on your rights.
    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange

    SOGA is powerful when used correctly
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Kurtis_Blue
    Kurtis_Blue Posts: 2,217 Forumite
    I'm not I see the issue, was the box advertised as being ready for I-player or for any/all internet based streaming?

    Is your facility broken or did you not buy one with the facility?
  • jonpress
    jonpress Posts: 13 Forumite
    edited 2 April 2010 at 10:13AM
    Argos staff appear to have been thoroughly briefed on the Sale of Goods Act. They are right in saying that the burden of proof is on you as a consumer to prove the goods were not of merchantable quality. They're very hard-nosed about it, presumably in order to encourage sales of their replacement insurance cover.

    Proving a manufacturing fault may in fact be practically impossible - I've had one issue with a piece of kit for which the manufacturers offer no repair service (even for money) and don't have service agents so there are no service manuals or other documentation which an independent expert might need in order to make a reasonable determination of a fault and its likely causes.

    However, here you have a somewhat different case. If the box was advertised as being iPlayer capable, then you don't have to prove it isn't - the manufacturer has already acknowledged this by offering to replace the box. You'd simply have to demonstrate that this was being advertised at the time you bought it and that consequently the hardware is unfit for the purpose for which it was sold. And then persuade Argos of that...
  • almillar
    almillar Posts: 8,621 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If it actually states on the box or in the documentation that it would be able to do iPlayer you'll have a much better case, and should show Argos this documentation, and state that it was a feature that you purchased it for. Try a different branch too.
  • The box came with an ethernet socket and was advertised as such. The problem seems to be with the hardware. My box hardware is version 1.3. Its seems all boxes with this version hardware are incompatible with iPlayer and will not accept the second part of the software update which is necessary for iPlayer to work. The manufacturer has accepted that there is a fault and has offered a replacement but they are asking for £14.99 to do so. My argument with them is that they should cover all costs for a replacement as I have already paid for a box which should have worked in the first place. I hope this clarifies everything.
  • Kurtis_Blue
    Kurtis_Blue Posts: 2,217 Forumite
    Sound like it wasn't sold as compatible with I-player, I would suggest the £15 of a new box sounds great.
  • Please read my last post properly, as stated "The manufacturer has accepted that there is a fault". That being the case then the box was not suitable for purpose when bought. My argument is therefore that if this is the case then the retailer should cover the cost of providing a replacement. Would it not be easier for everyone if the manufacturer (who incidently own Argos), were to allow customers with these boxes to collect from replacements form within store at Argos. This might not cover all costs but I imagine would reduce them by a substantial amount. And before you ask yes I've asked them, but so far have heard nothing.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.