20 month old broken TV ~ what are my rights?

careyc_3

Hi,

I am hoping that someone will be able to help me!

I bought a 32" LCD TV in July 2008 as i decided it was time to upgrade to flatscreen and freeview ~ as a treat for my hard work.
I bought a Sharp Aquos TV and was very happy with it until 2 week ago when the screen went red/green/blue and now is just white when you turn it on. I took the TV to a friend of the family that repairs TV's and he has told me that the LCD panel has gone ~ which is basically irrepairable. He also told me that under European Law, new TV's should be guaranteed for at least 2 years (although my warranty was only 12 months - and even then i found out today that the warrant wouldn't cover the panel!!). He went on to say that if i'd bought the TV from a retailer such as currys/comet then they would simply replace my broken TV with a new one. Unfortunately i'd bought the TV directly from Sharp online.

I called Sharp on the 1st April and spoke to someone in their aftersales Aquos support and explained the situation. He seemed as though he understood and said that if i email in a picture then he'd get someone to look into it. We emailed a picture later that day and called back on the 6th for an update. It seemed that as it was the Easter weekend no one had looked and it and it would be a few days but someone would call me. No call. I called back this morning and was now told that as its the panel that's gone, it is not repariable and is so not a problem of the repair team. If i wanted something done i would need to write into head office. I'm not keen on this as i'm not convinced that someone will a) admit to recieiving the letter or b) will respond in any case.

I'm gutted. My TV is less than 2 years old and i can't afford to just accept it is broken and buy a new one. TV's should last longer than 20 months.

Does anyone know whether my friend was right - do i have some rights under European law? should Sharp replace my TV? As it looks as though i have to write i want to make sure that my letter is as powerful as possible so that they take me seriously.

I've been without a TV for 2 weeks now and it's really not fun. Sharp customer services are no help whatsoever and simply say that anything like this is beyong their power and i'll need to write to head office. You try calling and it just doesn't connect to anyone.

Please help! this is causing me great distress

Thanks

Carey

Amistoso_2

you would need to get an engineers report to verify that the fault was inherent at time of purchase as after 6 months the onus is on you to prove that it was, don't know why someone would tell you that Currys/Comet etc would have replaced it no bother as I can assure you they wouldn't have. If it goes in your favour they should refund the cost of the engineers report, if not your about £40 out of pocket and still have a broken tv.

neilmcl

Forget the nonsense you've heard about EU laws/directives etc, we have consumer legislation in this country called the Sale of Goods Act 1979. You are entitled to claim damages for goods that do no conform to contract, ie, not as described, unfit for purpose or as in this case not of satisfactory quality, up to 6 years from purchase. Damages may include repair, replacement or refund (sum dependant on how much use you've already had).

As the TV is over 6 months old the onus is on you to prove that it had an inherent manufacturing fault. Many sellers will ask you to do this by getting an engineers report, others may just accept that its obvious its an inherent fault. Do as you're asked and write a letter to Sharp, you never know they actually might be surprisingly helpful. Send it by recorded delivery and ask fo a reply within say 10 days.

careyc_3

Thank you.

I'm going to write and post the letter (recorded delivery) and see where i get to.

I'm determined not to have to buy a new TV - I thought Sharp were good quality!

neilmcl

careyc wrote: »

Thank you.

I'm going to write and post the letter (recorded delivery) and see where i get to.

I'm determined not to have to buy a new TV - I thought Sharp were good quality!

Whether Sharp has a reputaion for quality or otherwise is irrelevent, you can get faulty goods suppled from any manufacturer. Its how they chose to deal with you is the important factor.