Mobile phone warranty period / expected life span?

Herzlos

I've had a phone for about 20 months now (in a 24 month contract) and it's starting to play up; the screen doesn't respond occasionally, or will register contact in the wrong place. I had the same fault repaired when the phone was about 2 months old, but now it's happened well after a year I'm unsure as to my position.

I remember reading in one of many iphone threads that phones have an automatic 2 year warranty, despite claims it's only a year, and that the onus is on the customer to prove manufacturing fault. That seems reasonable because surely a phone can be assumed to last at least as long as the contract, otherwise the contract must be regarded unfair?

Is this assumption true and is there any particular act/document I should be referring to when discussing the fault with the provider?

J20BABY

I was told when I was upgrading that the smart phones now have 2 year manufacturers warrantys. Ring up and don't be fobbed off?

Herzlos

Thanks I'll give it a go

grumbler

Herzlos wrote: »

I remember reading in one of many iphone threads that phones have an automatic 2 year warranty, despite claims it's only a year,

This was either misunderstanding or incorrect information.

and that the onus is on the customer to prove manufacturing fault. That seems reasonable because surely a phone can be assumed to last at least as long as the contract, otherwise the contract must be regarded unfair?

If you can prove a manufacturing fault then you generally have up to 6 years to complain (Limitations Act ?), not 2. However, what is the reasonable time for a particular device is not clear and is up to a judge to decide.
IMO, even 3 years is a reasonable time for iPhone, but it's just my opinion.

Consumer Rights Armour - Martin's article.

J20BABY wrote: »

I was told when I was upgrading that the smart phones now have 2 year manufacturers warrantys.

You were told lies.

Silk

The 2 year bit stems from the EU Directive but only applies to those sold direct from Apple as far as I remember as per this .... http://www.yourdailymac.net/2012/04/apple-finally-gives-in-two-years-warranty-for-consumers-in-the-european-union/

Herzlos

Well Orange told me it had 6 month warranty and I'd need to take it up with Nokia. Nonsense.

Thankfully there's a Nokia shop nearby (I went to Orange first as the contract is with them) who confirmed a 2 year warranty and that Oranges claim was nonsense. They also fixed the phone on the spot, quicker than my call to orange customer service and a lot less frustrating.

So are Orange customer services wrong, misleading or downright lying? Should I be pointing this out to anyone so that other customers aren't getting shafted?

Kingsd316

Silk wrote: »

The 2 year bit stems from the EU Directive but only applies to those sold direct from Apple as far as I remember as per this .... http://www.yourdailymac.net/2012/04/apple-finally-gives-in-two-years-warranty-for-consumers-in-the-european-union/

The link within link

http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/ doesn't make it clear that it has to be purchased from apple, if i was to read this without reading the initial report i would expect a 2 year warranty regardless of where i bought it from. The opening line is "When you purchase Apple products" nowhere does it say direct from apple or have i missed it?

EDIT

Ok i missed it, note 3 says: In most EU member states, consumers may only claim consumer law rights against the seller from whom they purchased the product. There are some exceptions including Finland, France and Sweden. Please contact your local European Consumer Centre for details of the position in your country. Consumers who purchased Apple-branded or non-Apple-branded products at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store may claim against Apple. Apple contact details are available here.

So to make a warranty claim you would just have to go to the network who supplied the phone, is that correct??

Herzlos

Kingsd316 wrote: »

The link within link

http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/ doesn't make it clear that it has to be purchased from apple, if i was to read this without reading the initial report i would expect a 2 year warranty regardless of where i bought it from. The opening line is "When you purchase Apple products" nowhere does it say direct from apple or have i missed it?

EDIT

Ok i missed it, note 3 says: In most EU member states, consumers may only claim consumer law rights against the seller from whom they purchased the product. There are some exceptions including Finland, France and Sweden. Please contact your local European Consumer Centre for details of the position in your country. Consumers who purchased Apple-branded or non-Apple-branded products at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store may claim against Apple. Apple contact details are available here.

So to make a warranty claim you would just have to go to the network who supplied the phone, is that correct??

It doesn't have to be purchased from Apple, it's a statutory right.
The issue was that Apple was implying the legal warranty was only a year (when it was 2), and selling an extended warranty for the 2nd year that they already cover for no additional charge. The 2 year warranty is already part of the sale.

Silk

Herzlos wrote: »

It doesn't have to be purchased from Apple, it's a statutory right.

The problem is that it's a Directive not a law in this country hence most suppliers still go by the SOGA .....theres been lots of discussions over it in the last couple of years