Morphy Richards: Register for an extra yr warranty - scam?

Rams88

Hi,

I've recently joined the forum as I'm after some consumer advice from anyone who thinks they may be able to help!

A year and a half ago, I bought a Morphy Richards kettle and it has recently become faulty. It has started leaking and, as a result, now shorts the electrics in the flat.

I was under the impression from the documents that came with the kettle that I have 2 years warranty on this product. However, Morphy Richards have come back to me today explaining that the product was under warranty for a year and, as I did not register the product within 28 days of purchase, I'm not entitled to the extra year's warranty. In short, they aren't interested. They have offered to sell to me a new kettle at a discount price but I can't help feeling that it all seems a bit wrong.

This is where I'd like some help please. If they can give me a whole year's warranty just by clicking a button and filling in a form on a website, aren't they neglecting their manufacturing duties and discriminating against me just because I didn't or didn't realise I had to??

Can they do this?

Any advice would be gratefully received.:)

shaun_from_Africa

When it comes to manufacturers warranties, the manufacturer is perfectly entitled to state whatever terms and conditions they wish (within reason), and if the customer doesn't follow them, then they can, and often will invalidate that warranty.

This is because a warranty isn't normally a right, simply something that the manufacturer chooses to provide.

Depending on the price of the kettle, it may be worth speaking to the retailer who sold it to you and tell them that you don't think 18 months use is acceptable.
Bear in mind though that they could ask you to prove that the problem is due to a manufacturing defect and hasn't been caused through misuse, and if they were to agree with you, they don't have to give you a replacement or full refund, as they could give a partial refund to take into account the 18 months use you've had from the kettle.

Ectophile

Your contract is with the retailer, not the manufacturer. If they want to, the manufacturer can offer a warranty in addition to your statutory rights. But that is entirely at the discretion of the manufacturer. If you don't follow the conditions of whatever warranty they do offer, they don't have to give you anything.