What are my rights for my issue?

couttsey21

Hi I'm really hoping someone can help me here.

I purchased an ACER branded laptop back in Aug 2008 from Play.com. I haven't had any issues with the laptop until a few days ago when I started getting funny randomly appearing lines that would come and go.

I have done my research on the graphics card (nVidia GeForce 8400 GS) and looked at various articles. It appears that the fault is actually with the graphics card itself which is known fault as the manufacturer did a massive recall back in 2008-2009 because they used cheap soldering on the 8400m and 8600m series of cards.

I called my Play.com and they told me that I needed to contact ACER directly. I called ACER and they told me that it was out of warranty and I would have to pay £60 to get it sorted. I haven't been able to call nVidia directly as their offices are in the USA and all the UK numbers are just for their research labs

I've read online that some people back in 2008-2009 purchased a product containing the same graphics cards above but their problems happened within just a few months of purchase.

Seeing as I've had the laptop for 40 months and the problem has only just appeared surfaced in the last few days, what are my rights as consumer who purchased a product with a proven faulty component????

somethingcorporate

Articles on the internet are not proof of a fault, they are merely anecdotal.

You will need some independent proof that the fault is inherent so a report or similar from a PC engineer stating such. You may need to pay for this but should be able to claim it back from Play if the fault is inherent.

Given the laptop is 40 months old the retailer can give you a proportionate refund for the age it is. Given it is a laptop then the refund you could get may be very very small. They could also choose to repair (likely) or replace (very very unlikely).

couttsey21

well the graphics card is removable and therefore can be replaced with another model. I don't want to have to shell out £70+ for replacement card given that it's a faulty card direct from the manufacturer. If I had to point the finger, it would be at nVidia directly as it's their component that is at fault.

I did have a link to a news article about the recall but am not allowed to post that as a new user, but it is a proven fault (dont worry ive done my research into that part)

Ideally I could remove the faulty card and have just that sent off in replacement for a fully working 1 as the rest of the laptop is perfect and fully working but what are the chances of that happening???

somethingcorporate

Slim to none.

Was your card recalled? If so talk to the manufacturer.

If not you need to talk to the retailer (since the manufacturer owes you nothing after 3 years+!).

couttsey21

yes I said in my 1st post that they did a huge recall in 2008-2009

Gordon_Hose

Who did a huge recall?

Nvidia or Acer?

You need to be speaking to whoever performed the recall.

peachyprice

couttsey21 wrote: »

yes I said in my 1st post that they did a huge recall in 2008-2009

But was your actual batch number, not just model number, recalled, and if it was why didn't you send it back at the time of the recall?

couttsey21

apologies for not being clear. Nvidia did a recall on any faulty 8400m or 8600m card. The reason I didn't do it sooner was because:

1) The problem with my 8400m only just happened within the last few days
2) I was unaware of the recall. When I started getting problems, I started googling which led me to the many articles online of other people with the same problems

Main problem is that a lot of people affected were in the USA and I've not been able to find many in the UK that have posted their findings online

Gordon_Hose

Have you tried all these contact numbers for Nvidia:

United Kingdom:

2520 The Quadrant
Aztec West
Bristol BS32 4AQ
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1454 284800

Trinity House
Cambridge Business Park
Cowley Road
Cambridge, CB4 0WZ
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1223 393547


2/F, Building 1310
Arlington Business Park
Theale, Reading, Berkshire
RG7 4SA
United Kingdom
+44 (118) 903 3000

couttsey21

yes those numbers are all for their labs and not repairs, warranty

Gordon_Hose

Found this: http://www.nvidiadefect.com/

Dunno if it's of any help.