PC World - Data Protection & Warranty

DarkShogun

Thanks for the info Poodlecrazy

I unfortunately disagree:

1. I refused the extended warranty. If I was buying a fridge or something worth more than £40 I'd consider it. And would understand the need for my address. However I refused the warranty.

2. I've been burgled twice. I don't remember the last time they looked for the receipts for what they were stealing
I can't agree with the argument that they need my address to prove I was the purchaser.
I thought my statutory rights (by the way where can I get a copy of them) meant I turned up with the receipt and the faulty goods and that was that.

Anybody agree or have I missed the point?

uktim29

It seems a lot of hassle for the small risk of mail being delivered through your letterbox. To the point where people not ended up buying items they wanted.

Is it not easier to simply put any items of mail that may come once a month into a bin?

Poodlecrazy

Hi Darkshogun and Looby!

Darkshogun, Yes you did miss the point. You would turn up with your broken goods and receipt IF you had your receipt. I didn't mean that the burglars would find your receipts and take them - it was more for people who don't keep their receipts or lose them and then find they need them. That's what I often used it for when a customer came in saying I bought this, it's broken, don't have a receipt.

Looby, you're right PC World are particularly bad at dealing with returns. If it's within 28 days then they SHOULD deal with it in store, but again if you don't have your receipt this could be a problem - if they had your address they could look it up (not saying that all staff would be that helpful mind you!!) After 28 days it has to be sent to the manufacturer but again you would need a receipt. I always thought that the store should send it to the manufacturer but I know most people insist on the customer doing it. True, it takes longer if the store does it as most manufacturers deal with individual returns a lot quicker than store returns but if that is what the customer wants then that is what should be done (provided they know about it). Either way a receipt will be needed.

A receipt will also be needed for any return as when staff enter a return on the system they have to link it to a purchase. That makes good sense from a fraud point of view (staff fraud that is!!). Without the receipt you can't do that as you don't know the original receipt number. Again it can be found with an address on the system.

The PC World system does allow a 'no marketing' selection, so insist on it, that's what I say.

As for your statutory rights these are contained in a variety of different statutes (Acts of Parliament), the most common being:

Trade Descriptions Act 1968 Fair Trading Act 1973 Supply of Goods (Implied Terms) Act 1973 Consumer Credit Act 1974 Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 Sale of Goods Act 1979 Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 Consumer Protection Act 1987 Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002

These broadly say that products must be of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, as described and safe.

By the way, I worked in PC World as a student for 5 years (4 different stores in a variety of roles). Having finished my studies I now work as a lawyer so that is where my 'statutory' knowledge comes from not from PC World training! ;-)

DarkShogun

Cheers Poodlecrazy very helpful post.