Can a laptop be returned under the Distance Selling Regulations?

mo786uk

the wording for the exemption is: for the supply of audio or video recordings or computer software if they are unsealed by the consumer;

I spose you could argue they have made it clear only 1 type of software is covered, that is to say the type you buy on its own and unseal.

I think with regards to registering software you could argue a consumer has acepted the goods by use if they go that far

testing out a laptop is no more than feeling the thing out of the box and maybe swithcing it on to test the mosue/keyboard and its speed - you dont need to do anything like saving files and so on.

neilmcl

!!!!!! wrote: »

That is why I said 'could'

Most things written on forums are only peoples opinions anyway, why should I be any different to you or anybody else.
The only possible definitive answer would be in a court of law and the interpretation decided upon there.

Apologies mate, my response was a tad harsh, I didn't mean to imply your opinion was in any way less valid than mine.

Jakg

!!!!!! wrote: »

The retailer would do naff all because wiping the hard drive would also wipe the recovery partion. Retailers do not normally have a standalone set of recovery tools for the computers that they sell.

The one I work at certainly does - I just assumed it would be a standard thing.

pinkshoes

neilmcl wrote: »

Don't listen to this OP, poor advice I'm afraid!

Of course you can return under the DSRs for a full refund. Who is the retailer that's trying to fleece you out of £50?

My apologies.

I thought you could only return unused items under DSRs I.e. You can examine the item but not use it. I had no idea you could use them then return.

terra_ferma

!!!!!! wrote: »

Accepting the EULA for the the Windows installed on the machine could be construed as unsealing the software package.

packaging/ˈpakijiNG/

• Materials used to wrap or protect goods.
• The business or process of packing goods.

takes some imagination...

terra_ferma

pinkshoes wrote: »

My apologies.

I thought you could only return unused items under DSRs I.e. You can examine the item but not use it. I had no idea you could use them then return.

that's what retailers want people to think, you can see that they don't want to get used items back
however a few items are excluded if they have been used and cannot be resold, like nylon tights.

System

Jakg wrote: »

The one I work at certainly does - I just assumed it would be a standard thing.

I take you don't work in Currys, PC World or Comets then? Maybe a specialist computer shop would but the shops that most people normally purchase computers from won't. At a guess your place would also build custom machines and the staff know something about computers.

Fosterdog

!!!!!! wrote: »

I take you don't work in Currys, PC World or Comets then? Maybe a specialist computer shop would but the shops that most people normally purchase computers from won't. At a guess your place would also build custom machines and the staff know something about computers.

AFAIK currys and pcworld do use blancco or at least they did a few months ago.

Jakg

!!!!!! wrote: »

I take you don't work in Currys, PC World or Comets then? Maybe a specialist computer shop would but the shops that most people normally purchase computers from won't. At a guess your place would also build custom machines and the staff know something about computers.

The store I work at does this, and has "staff know something about computers", but is also one of the three you mentioned above...

MarkBargain

Thanks for all the replies, it's an interesting thread. My fiancee has fiddled with the touchpad settings and now is happier with the laptop, so I won't be sending it back but it is good to hear opinions about where the law stands and how to restore computers to their original settings etc.