Laptop Battery not holding charge

lilmiss

I was new to laptops so i bought one in May. And now it is not holding it's charge. I bought it from pcworld.

I charge it up and when it is full up, and i unplug it is says.

100%
99% and then seconds later says
5% remaining :eek:

On the website it said the battery lasted for 1hour, and it used to be ok, lasting for about 45mins. But now it's so bad. I have it on at night, and it was charging, and when i come to turn it on the next afternoon it beeps at me!!.

Should i take it back because it only holds 3 mins charge now, and if i don't take it back would it would if i just kept the mains adaptor in all the time?.
Would pcworld give me a new battery as it's only 5 months old?.

Thanks

espresso

Take it back ASAP. If it only takes seconds to say 5% remaining, you can demonstrate this and state that it is not fit for purpose!

Mr_Meanie

'Should I take it back?'
I would.

'Would it work if I just kept the mains adaptor in all the time?'
Yes but it's not very portable is it!

'Would pcworld give me a new battery as its only 5 months old?'
You will have to read your guarantee very closely, but you should be able to twist their arm, it's not exactly 'fit for purpose' after only 5 months use is it?

Did you pay buy credit card?
If so you might be able to persue a refund through your credit card company if things get sticky with PC world.

lilmiss

Thanks.

I will try to find my guarantee and read it. Also, i should go to pcworld website shouldn't i and have a look what it says. I payed with credit card yeah. Nopes, it not portable at all now!. Thanks again

nearlyrich

Batteries are consumable items and have a limited warranty but under 6 months you should press for a replacement. Once you get a new battery make sure you look after it by charging and fully discharging it regularly.

lilmiss

i found this on the website



Return of Faulty Goods - Delivery Items


The following are guidelines for all goods ordered for delivery. (For Collect@Store orders, please see in store Terms and Conditions and your receipt wallet). Wherever possible we will respond to your individual circumstances.

If there is a fault with your product within 12 months of delivery (or other defect with your order), we will normally offer a prompt repair, exchange or refund. We will always offer you the choice of an exchange or refund if the fault occurs within 28 days of delivery.

To qualify for a refund or exchange the product must be:-

in otherwise in 'as-new' condition;
complete with any accessories and free gifts offered with it (and, if possible, the original box and packaging).


This promise does not cover faults caused by accident, neglect, misuse or normal wear and tear. For consumable items (e.g. batteries, camera films, ink cartridges etc) the guarantee period is three months from delivery.


Is the battery normal wear and tear?. I did uncharge it and recharge it again, it used to be fine, just all of a sudden decided to go flat

Happy_frank

I would press for a replacement, but what ever you do don't keep fully discharging a Lithium Ion battery, thats about the worst thing you can do to them.
The main thing that damages these batteries is heat (yes I know pretty unavoidable in a laptop) the main thing you can do to minimise this is not leaving it on charge all the time.

Mr_Meanie

It should also say something similar to: This does not affect your statutory rights.

Have a look here:-

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/your-rights/fs_c04.shtml

'Refunds
You are entitled to your money back if there is a fault with the goods, or they are any of the following:

Unsatisfactory quality
Not fit for their purpose
Misdescribed (not what they are supposed to be)
You must be able to prove that the fault was present when the goods were sold. The burden of proof is on the consumer.

Even if you have used the goods a few times, you are probably still entitled to a refund. However, if you have had some use from the goods, the trader may make a reduction from the original price when refunding the money.

If you have not had a reasonable opportunity to check the goods, you could possibly be entitled to a refund if you complain at a later date.

However, since the 31st March 2003, the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations give you parallel or alternate rights. Instead of a refund, you may choose to ask for a replacement or a repair. Goods which do not conform to the contract within the six months after they were delivered are presumed to have been faulty when you got them. In these cases, you do not have to prove the fault was present when the goods were sold. Instead, the trader must prove that the fault was not present when the goods were sold. The burden of proof is on the trader.'

Little_John

lilmiss wrote:

i found this on the website



Return of Faulty Goods - Delivery Items


The following are guidelines for all goods ordered for delivery. (For Collect@Store orders, please see in store Terms and Conditions and your receipt wallet). Wherever possible we will respond to your individual circumstances.

If there is a fault with your product within 12 months of delivery (or other defect with your order), we will normally offer a prompt repair, exchange or refund. We will always offer you the choice of an exchange or refund if the fault occurs within 28 days of delivery.

To qualify for a refund or exchange the product must be:-

in otherwise in 'as-new' condition;
complete with any accessories and free gifts offered with it (and, if possible, the original box and packaging).


This promise does not cover faults caused by accident, neglect, misuse or normal wear and tear. For consumable items (e.g. batteries, camera films, ink cartridges etc) the guarantee period is three months from delivery.


Is the battery normal wear and tear?. I did uncharge it and recharge it again, it used to be fine, just all of a sudden decided to go flat

Ive made another highlight that you should look at it states batteries are consumable and not covered by their promise but do have a 3 month guarentee.

I would return it, batteries do fail due to constantly being on charge and your is displaying the characteristics of this but it normally takes about 12 months of constantly being plugged in to kill them not 5 months. My laptop is knackered in the same way but it is 2 years old so Imnot that bothered its a pain not being portable but I survive. I can get a replacement for about £60 I just dont use it enough where I dont have a socket.

lilmiss

However, since the 31st March 2003, the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations give you d of a refund, you may choose to ask for a replacement or a repair. Goods which do not conform to the contract within the six months after they were delivered are presumed to have been faulty when you got them. In these cases, you do not have to prove the fault was present when the goods were sold. Instead, the trader must prove that the fault was not present when the goods were sold. The burden of proof is on the trader.'[/QUOTE]


Thanks, i just looked at the reciept and the date on it is 30th April , so that means i have to take it back before 30th October yeah for the 6 month thing.
Thanks, i'll have to get my brother to take it back as the shop is about 2 miles away.

Also just noticed that it doesnt warn me anymore when the battery is going flat, and just turned off on me!.

Mr_Meanie

Before you try and take it back to PCworld have you removed/backed up/copied your personal files from your hard disk?

To be honest with you I doubt they will even consider for one second giving you a new laptop in exchange for yours, and may not even agree straight off to getting you a replacement battery.
Be prepared for a lot of buck passing, moaning and groaning and phrases like “the guarantee doesn’t cover this sort of thing”, “its fair wear and tear” “it says “consumables are only covered for 3 months” etc.etc.

Perhaps you could take a copy of the relevant paragraphs from the Consumer Direct site for ammunition, remember stay cool, you still have the credit card refund route if all else fails.

Good Luck.