Faulty Camera - Can I plead Sales of Good Act!?

beanie12

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could help me. I bought a camera from online on 20/10/2008 (costing £180) and took out the extended 2 year guarantee which expired on 20/10/2011. However on 12th Jan I discovered when I went to use my camera that I couldn't take a photo as I had the error 'This memory card is locked.' It wasn't and I tried another 2 SD cards and each time received the same error (all 3 SD cards work in other cameras I own). It still works via it's internal memory, but that will only hold about 5 photos so not much use! I was trying to take photos fo my neice's 4th birthday so that was bad enough and my trusty iphone came into play. Also I was on holiday last week and once again didn't have my trusty camera with me

The error message seems to have appear for no reason (the same SD card has pretty been used in it since it was bought) and I haven't dropped the camera etc. So I thought I would be covered under the Sales of Goods Act (1979).

When I rang up the company concerned I had a short and rude reception saying in essence 'tough luck' as my extended guarentee had run out and the end of a guarantee was the end and the Sales of Goods Act didn't matter. Surely a camera is expected to last more than 3 years? The man who I spoke with was irritable and when I replied was that all he had to say on the matter he said I could write a letter. I asked to speak to his manager and he said he was the manager and pretty much hung up.

So my question is should I persue this or do I have no rights in this case?

Thanks for reading and (hopefully) your assistance on this matter!

beanie12.

PS: I believe this is a known error and I can't even format the SD card to see if this is the issue as it gives me the same error.

neilmcl

Well you could use the SOGA to get a remedy but bear in mind it will be up to you to prove that the camera has an inherent manufacturing fault and the issue isn't down to wear & tear or damage (accidental or otherwise).

fluffnutter

Warranties are fairly irrelevant in this instance. I think this is a prime candidate for an independent review of your camera. It should be fairly straightforward for someone to determine whether this type of fault is inherent or something that is likely to have developed over time due to wear and tear or misuse.

As the camera is over six months old, you'll need to pay for this yourself. But if the engineer deems this to be an inherent fault, then the retailer is obliged to offer you a remedy plus the refund of the engineer's fee. This remedy is likely to be a repair or replacement. If they offer you a refund they're entitled to reduce the amount offered to take into account the use you've already had.

I'd also give the make and model and error message a quick google to see if this is a known fault (and if there are any fixes).

beanie12

I believe this is a known error. Thanks for the reply.

fluffnutter

beanie12 wrote: »

I believe this is a known error. Thanks for the reply.

A known error present at manufacture? If so, then use this information to help persuade the retailer to offer you some sort of remedy.

somethingcorporate

A known error that the manufacturer has admitted exists and has issued a recall or one that is anecdotal on the internet?

The first is worth something, the second, on its own, is worth nothing. The OP would still need to prove that the fault is inherent.