Money back on faulty car radio?

podwin

Hi,

I had may car upgraded with a few gadgets by a local fitting company, but after 2 months the head unit stopped working.

I phoned the manufacturer who asked if it was a diesel car, I said it was and why ask?

They explained that a spike from starting the engine can cause problems when it boots-up.

They got me to try a reset which didn't work so advised me to take it back from where I bought it (contract of sale with them etc etc).

I am currently using the old OEM radio.

Thing is, I spent a lot of money for a premium brand for quality, but it doesn't seem that 'quality'. I don't mind having the item back but I am worried it may fail again and fact it is a car radio is a real pain to take it out and put it back for repairs.

Having lost confidence in the product do I have any chance of getting a refund? I just don't trust this brand.

A thought of 'not-fit-for-purpose' springs to mind if it can't handle spikes from an engine starting, being a car radio it will spend its life in....., well..., a car! in which an engine is started, often. The OEM unit has managed OK for years.

Thanks.

spacey2012

The Three "R's" of Sale of Goods act:

Repair
Replace
Refund

These are the options available to a retailer when faced with a claim under the sale of goods act.

The sale of Goods act, overrides any warranty
Failure to adhere to sale of goods act is a matter for county court, but you must allow them any option of the three R's first.

podwin

OK thanks, thought so.

Not usually a problem, but due to the nature of this item it is a real pain if it fails again and it has be be repaired again or replaced (the dashboard has to come apart in several pieces).

Oh well.

WTFH

What radio is it, what car is it?

You might want to stick one of these on the power lead to the radio...
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062600

podwin

Thanks,

It is a Golf, and the radio is an Alpine. For the money it cost they should think of such things.

I was thinking of taking it off the ignition so I'd turn it on after the engine has started.

I'll look into that option as well thanks.

shaun_from_Africa

spacey2012 wrote: »

Failure to adhere to sale of goods act is a matter for county court, but you must allow them any option of the three R's first.

Or if you paid with a credit card or any other form of direct finance then the credit provider is also liable for any breech of contract and getting them to provide a remedy may well be far quicker than court action.