Is it worth fixing it?

lauranurse

Hi!

My Dell laptop (inspiron 1300) has broken

I have had it just over a year so the warranty has run out, and I am wondering whether it will be worth fixing it?

Apparently the problem is the motherboard, as the laptop wont work on AC power and there is no problem with the lead. I have been quoted an hourly rate of £45 to get it fixed, plus the cost of the part, which I think will be quite expensive - I found one on ebay for £145! I am still waiting for Dell to get back to me with a quote for fixing it out of warranty.

I paid over £600 for it last January, it has quite good specs - 1024MB RAM but I am wondering whether it might just be cheaper and easier to get a new one, as at least then it will be under warranty again.

What do you people think?

Donnie

lauranurse wrote: »

Hi!

My Dell laptop (inspiron 1300) has broken

I have had it just over a year so the warranty has run out, and I am wondering whether it will be worth fixing it?

Apparently the problem is the motherboard, as the laptop wont work on AC power and there is no problem with the lead. I have been quoted an hourly rate of £45 to get it fixed, plus the cost of the part, which I think will be quite expensive - I found one on ebay for £145! I am still waiting for Dell to get back to me with a quote for fixing it out of warranty.

I paid over £600 for it last January, it has quite good specs - 1024MB RAM but I am wondering whether it might just be cheaper and easier to get a new one, as at least then it will be under warranty again.

What do you people think?

I have no idea, but let me know what you decide. I could do with a laptop for leisure travel. Maybe I could have a go at fixing it myself.
Keep my username at hand.

lauranurse

Okey dokey!

lauranurse

Thanks albertross, I hadnt thought of that. One year is not long for a laptop to work for is it? Mind you, it had been accidentally dropped a few times (not recently though).

It's definitely not the power lead, the light comes on on it, and it doesnt work without the battery either. Until the battery ran out, the computer was working fine, which is sooo frustrating!

Thanks for your advice

Donnie

Dropped? (gulp)

Mizz_Pink

Claim on yur house insurance. If the ins company are any good they will send you a like for like product fairly quickly. Yuo may have to prove that is isnt worth repairing though.

elektra

Taken from the Which website


How long is reasonable?
One of the ambiguities of the Sale of Goods Act is that it doesn't define how long products should last, because different products have different life spans. And even two identical products can have varying life spans, depending on how much they're used.

While the list below is not a comprehensive one it gives a general indication of life expectancy for a range of product types. This information is an extract from the Radio, Electrical, and Television Retailers Association's Code of Practice

Small appliances

Irons, Kettles, Hair Dryers etc. 2 - 5 years

Medium Size Appliances

Cleaners, direct acting space heaters, refrigerators and freezers, spin and tumble dryers, Microwave Ovens 3 - 8 years

Larger Appliances

Electric Cookers, 8 - 10 years

Dishwashers, washing machines, 4 – 8 years

Low priced portable CTVs 3 - 5 years

Higher priced non-portable CTVs 5 - 8 years

Low priced VCRs and DVDs 2 - 5 years

Higher priced VCRs and DVDs 5 - 8 years

Low priced Hi-Fi Systems 2 - 5 years

Higher priced Hi-Fi systems 5 - 8 years



Note

Life expectancy is the length of time a product would reasonably be expected to be able to be economically repaired where the spare parts are available. Some cosmetic parts may not be available for the same period of time as functional parts.

It does not imply that goods should last for a given period of time without going wrong or that the repairer should not make a reasonable charge for a repair.

lauranurse

Thanks, you have all been soooo helpful!

I took it up with Dell today and they have agreed to repair it free of charge as a "gesture of goodwill". Result! I never would have even thought of questioning being charged stupid amounts for a repair if it wasnt for you people so thanks very much!!!!

elektra

I'm pleased for you. Glad Dell applied some common sense.