Camera from a catalogue

Marvin6418

I am hoping somone on here can help me.

I brought an expensive Panasonic camera from a catalogue company on 8th August. It has been working fine. However while on holiday this week it started to go wrong. I have looked after it really well as I can't afford not to. After using it each time it has gone back into its case. Now when I turn it on I have to wait 30 seconds to a minute fo it to turn on. The same amount of time if I turn it from taking pictures to reviewing pictures, at least 20 - 30 seconds for the camera to allow me to flick between all the pictures I have taken. Also it seems like the focus has jammed, if I take a picture it comes out blurred. The lens is clean so I know it is not that.

I had only just (the week before) thrown away the box the camera came in and the invoice and packaging from the company as it was all working fine. So I have no proof of purchase. I had not taken out any insurance on this.

I contacted the catalogue company who said that they don't deal with it as it is a fault with the camera and I need to go to the Panasonic to get this fixed. They game me the phone number and a code. I assumed this was a referance code but infact it now turns out to be the code of the product for their catalogue. They said it shouldn't be a problem that I don't have the packaging or the invoice information.

I called the number and spoke to them giving them the ref code the catalogue company had given me (not knowing then it was the catalogue code). They told me that the don;t deal with the repairs themselves and I have to contact another compny that they gave me the phone number for.

I called this company who told me I need to go online and set up the request for the camera to be fixed but I need the proof of purchase. I have contacted the catalogue company againt o egt a revised proof of purchase from them. They have just sent me an email listing the information about it. I could have written this!

Can someone please help and tell me where I stand on this. It started going wrong within a month will I have to pay for this to be fixed? Should I have be having to return it to the catalogue company and they should be dealing with this or shoudl I have to go through the other company?

I dont know where I stand on this so any advise would be great. Sorry long post but wanted to list all the info I have.

Thanks

vuvuzela

Your contract is with the catalogue company and they should be dealing with repairs / replacements (if necessary). It may sometimes be quicker to cut them out and go straight to the manufacturer, but in this case as you have no official proof of purchase, I would go back to the catalogue company.

unholyangel

Proof of purchase doesn't necessarily mean a receipt btw. A bank statement or catalogue statement may suffice.

earthstorm

If you purchased from a catalogue company online then this would have set up an online account with them which will have all details of the order including a copy of invoice/receipt.
but as others say your contract is with catalogue company so they should be dealing with it.