Void warranty due to water damage...

macman

It's highly unlikely, even if you win, that you'll get your money back. They can also repair or replace at their discretion.
But we still don't know what the actual fault is. They've simply looked at the sticker and said 'warranty invalidated'. For all we know, it may just have a failed mains adaptor. The fact that the sticker has discoloured does not mean that the fault was caused by moisture.

FamilyMan

Macman, I agee entirely. This is what I'm trying to convey to them. They're saying it's damaged by liquid, therefore not covered by the warranty. I'm trying to get across that "Yes, maybe there is water in the machine now, but the original reason I took it for repair, not turning on/charging, could that have been caused by something else?" They keep re-iterating it's water damage. It's like banging your head against a brick-wall, reminds me of the old 'Computer says "No"' skit. But this is too costly to be funny.

FamilyMan

Additionally, I asked them on the phone if they could categorically prove that it wasn't them that caused the liquid damage. They replied that 'They didn't have to' ??? Surely that's the same defence I have?

macman

The problem is, once they see that the sticker is discoloured, then it becomes a chargeable repair, and they'll expect you to pay for a diagnosis if you choose not to proceed, or a repair if you do.

Lifeforms

If you are getting no where, you need to get the laptop back and have it examined by a specialist company who will do a report for you. This should hopefully bring up the original fault, along side any water damage proof.

I'd suggest that you get your laptop back first, if you have not already, and have it independently checked, and then come back and write here what the report says.

If they do not return the laptop, letter before action of full laptop claim as you still own the laptop, and unless they've repaired it and holding it "hostage" for payment, then they have no right to keep hold of it. Presumably you didn't just authorise any repair at any cost when you gave it back to PC world (who then sent it to sony)? In addition unless PC Specifically told you (or in their T&C) that in sending it off was diagnosis of which a fault might be liable for you, and you may be liable to pay for any diagnosis then they cannot have any right to keep it for payment.

Then never buy sony again. But be aware on the water thing. It's a highly used excuse on all gadgets that have these strips, and (supposedly) even sweaty hands can set them off, so any future warranty that you buy (not under 12 months unless it's additional) make sure it covers water damage.

And no, it's not fair, and yes it's just yet another way for a company to weedle out of paying for repairs. Let us know what you do in the end.
Frankly at this point, you want that laptop back. If you dont want to go down the route of independent reports and such, then you just claim off household insurance as accidental damage, but if there is a query of water damage, you should be upfront to your insurers, and I'm going to get slammed her, say it got accidentally wet, water was spilt on it so it wont come up as a problem.

Ralph-y

I have just posted on a different thread about broken laptops and I had asked if we are allowed to post company names / url's.

There is a company who has had extensive dealings with retailers as well as companies regarding laptop defects. They offer advice re small claims procedures under SOGA

I have used this company several times for reports / repairs and they are IMHO very good.

If we are not allowed to post names / url's then try googling nvidia defect to look for forums that may help

Ralph

Ralph-y

bump..........

Mods , am I allowed to post company names / urll's?

Ralph

FamilyMan

Hi Ralph,

I did find that site, I'm not sure if that is what happened to my machine, but it is worth bearing in mind that maybe this is what caused the initial fault.

Thanks,

Julian

Jamie_Carter

macman wrote: »

The problem is, once they see that the sticker is discoloured, then it becomes a chargeable repair, and they'll expect you to pay for a diagnosis if you choose not to proceed, or a repair if you do.

There was a similar case to this on Watchdog a while ago, but it was about iphones.

There were several of these moisture sensitive stickers, and according to Apple they all had to be triggered to void a warranty. But people were being told that the warranty was void when only one or two were triggered.

It might be worth trying to find out from Sony head office what their policy is.

FamilyMan

Hi Jamie,

The whole thing that irks me with this situation is that I have not spilled any liquid on this machine at all. So the issue comes down to that I do not care about any indication of moisture due to their detecting strips. If liquid has got into their machine due to (and I'm quoting what other people have said here) "sweaty hands" or "high humidity", then it simply isn't fit for purpose. I don't see the point of putting the strips in there if they are this sensitive.

Kind regards,

Julian