My property broken in a store - advice please

kenjones_2

Thanks for replies.

mountainofdebt

Schools out for Christmas..........

lateandlive

You said yourself in your post that your iPhone flashed up a message saying it wasn't compatible with the docks. Granted this normally just means it won't charge, however that fact coupled with your assumption that the docks were there for testing rather than just a visual aid means you could be...stuffed!

Places like HMV actively advertise that you can test headphones etc by plugging your phone in, however I wouldn't walk into Wilkinson and test their photo frames by putting some family pictures in them!

unholyangel

When they told you what the fault is, i take it they didnt tell you what had likely cause the fault?

If it is an inherent fault, even if you dont have legal recourse with the shop you may have rights with the retailer you bought it from.

Realistically, providing their report on the dock comes back clear......I cant see of anyway to prove it was the dock and not simply a underlying fault that just perhaps chose that moment to make itself known. So going via the retailer may be a better option for you

Flyboy152

wealdroam wrote: »

I'm a bit puzzled here.

Tell us again how does that prove it is not a coincidence?

You told us earlier that you tried several docks before this one.
Is it possible that your phone had a weakness and the plugging it in several docks weakened the main logic board each time until finally the thing broke?

It doesn't have to prove anything, all it has to do is suggest that, based on the balance of probabilities, that it was the store's equipment that caused the failure.

kenjones_2

lateandlive wrote: »

You said yourself in your post that your iPhone flashed up a message saying it wasn't compatible with the docks. Granted this normally just means it won't charge, however that fact coupled with your assumption that the docks were there for testing rather than just a visual aid means you could be...stuffed!

Places like HMV actively advertise that you can test headphones etc by plugging your phone in, however I wouldn't walk into Wilkinson and test their photo frames by putting some family pictures in them!

The message related to the radio unit getting potentially getting interference from the phone signal not charging compatibility a made for ipod device that is compatible with iphone (according to manufacturers - it was Pure & Roberts devices I got this with and Pure web site states "iPhone: All PURE products with an iPod dock will allow you to plug in, charge and control an iPhone, however some PURE products are 'Made for iPod' compliant (rather than 'Works With iPhone' compliant), so you may receive a warning message when docking the iPhone. This does not stop it working though. PURE products that are not 'Works With iPhone' compliant may, at worst, exhibit the 'dit-ditty-dit-ditty-dit' noise if the phone rings. "

Store told me they have 100s of people docking/testing their iphones in these products and this was the first time this had happened.

kenjones_2

unholyangel wrote: »

When they told you what the fault is, i take it they didnt tell you what had likely cause the fault?

If it is an inherent fault, even if you dont have legal recourse with the shop you may have rights with the retailer you bought it from.

Realistically, providing their report on the dock comes back clear......I cant see of anyway to prove it was the dock and not simply a underlying fault that just perhaps chose that moment to make itself known. So going via the retailer may be a better option for you

No they just told me that the fault was on the main board, not something they repair at a component level.

wealdroam

Flyboy152 wrote: »

It doesn't have to prove anything, all it has to do is suggest that, based on the balance of probabilities, that it was the store's equipment that caused the failure.

Thanks Flyboy.
And, in your opinion, on the balance of probabilities, does it do that?

Care to comment on the second question I posed?

vicmorrow

kenjones wrote: »

The message related to the radio unit getting potentially getting interference from the phone signal not charging compatibility a made for ipod device that is compatible with iphone (according to manufacturers - it was Pure & Roberts devices I got this with and Pure web site states "iPhone: All PURE products with an iPod dock will allow you to plug in, charge and control an iPhone, however some PURE products are 'Made for iPod' compliant (rather than 'Works With iPhone' compliant), so you may receive a warning message when docking the iPhone. This does not stop it working though. PURE products that are not 'Works With iPhone' compliant may, at worst, exhibit the 'dit-ditty-dit-ditty-dit' noise if the phone rings. "

Store told me they have 100s of people docking/testing their iphones in these products and this was the first time this had happened.

So the balance of probabilities is that the docking station isn't what caused the problem or there would be 100s of people complaining?

unholyangel

kenjones wrote: »

No they just told me that the fault was on the main board, not something they repair at a component level.

It may be worthwhile asking around about an independent report and:
a)whether it can tell whether the fault is inherent or likely caused by the docking station
b) how much it will cost

I would only really do this if the shop come back and say the docking station is fine and refuse your request for repair twice (in writing and i say twice just to be reasonable should you have any trouble with below). The reason i say i would only do it in the above circumstances is that obviously if they admit liability, you'll get your phone fixed

If the independent report shows the docking station was at fault, you should be able to claim the cost of the report and the repair. This is why i suggest writing to them twice. So that you can show an independent report was necessary. Remember to keep a copy for your own records and send recorded delivery.

If the report shows it was an inherent fault, then you would be able to claim this back from the retailer - however.....you should contact your retailer first as they may offer to repair without any hassle.

Although obviously i can't guarantee anything, hopefully this has given you a few more options you hadn't previously thought of (May aswell mention since i've mentioned everything else.....if you bought the phone on credit card....it may be worth asking your card issuer if they can help if the phone is covered by section 75)