Faulty camera lens

toadhall

I bought a sigma 150 -500 camera lens last December online from Jessops, costing £860. After about 5 months the auto focus stopped working, I was advised to take it back to my local shop who sent it away for repair. They kept it for 8 weeks and it worked fine, then a couple of weeks ago it stopped auto focusing again, exactly the same problem.
I rang customer services who said they will send it away for repair again, another 8-12 weeks. I was also told that the warranty will not be valid after 12 months, so if this happens again they will not do anything.
Can I ask for a replacement? Is there anything else I can do?

It took ages to save up for this lens and I cannot afford to have it continue to fail to work.
Thanks for all advice

paddyrg

Under the Sale of Goods Act, the retailer must either repair or replace the goods 'within a reasonable time but without causing significant inconvenience'. If the seller doesn't do this, you are entitled to claim either:

• reduction on the purchase price, or
• your money back, minus an amount for the usage you've had of the goods (called 'recision').

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/understanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/

On that basis, 3 x 8+ week periods sounds unreasonable to me

MothballsWallet

I wonder if you'd be able to get them to replace it because they've made a repair which hasn't "taken" (for want of a better word)?

Jessops are pretty good, IMO.

unholyangel

paddyrg wrote: »

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/understanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/

On that basis, 3 x 8+ week periods sounds unreasonable to me

Providing the OP was indeed acting as a consumer and not in the course of a business Given they've said they cannot afford for the lens not to work, it suggests they may have bought it for business purposes so consumer legislation/rights wont apply.

However I could be wrong and the OP might just have a lot of friends/family members who have birthdays/weddings/whatever at the same time and they dont want to miss the chance to record precious memories.

Slowhand

Where does 3 X 8 week periods come from?

unholyangel

Slowhand wrote: »

Where does 3 X 8 week periods come from?

I think they've misread the OP and thought there have been 2 previous faults to this one rather than just the 1.

toadhall

thanks for the replies, I am not a business, just a very dedicated amateur photographer

unholyangel

toadhall wrote: »

thanks for the replies, I am not a business, just a very dedicated amateur photographer

Then Sale of Goods Act will apply. One issue though, in SoGA....if the fault occurs after the first 6 months, the burden of proof is with the consumer to prove the fault was inherent and not the result of misuse/natural wear n tear. This is usually done via independent report - the cost of which is refundable if found in your favour. Its always worthwhile speaking to the retailer first though as some may need a report and some may not, so no point adding expenses where theres no need.

If the fault is inherent, you can request a repair, replacement or a refund (but the refund can be partial to take into account use you have had of the item). However, the retailer can reject your request if it is disproportionately costly in comparison to other remedies.

But any repair they offer should be carried out within reasonable time, at no cost to the consumer and without causing significant inconvenience. What is "reasonable" is usually what the average person would find reasonable.