Manufacture defect 2 years? Purchased outside UK

Moneybox

I have returned an electric heated dive top which has a faulty controller. Although over a year old (less than 2yrs) I am interested to know if I have any chance of the company covering costs?

They have identified that the controller is at fault but are asking for approx £70 to replace. A new top would cost approx £250-£300 so I am keen to have it fixed.

The is no damage to the controller. Had only worn it approx 7 times over 1 yr, but was purchased over 1 yr ago (less than 2 yrs).

My query is that as I purchased from USA and the top is now with the manufacturer in Tawain do I have any customer rights, or will it just be case of goodwill if I manage to seek any reduction in repair cost?

Thanks in advance.

ThumbRemote

As you bought it in the USA, you will have whatever consumer rights you are offered by US law. You may need to post on an American forum to find these out.

Unfortunately you have no rights under British law.

Hintza

US warranties are normally much less than in the UK or EU so you are probably outside it anyway. Your contract is with the retailer (assuming similar law in US) and therefore the manufacturer doesn't really come in to the equation as such. You have now bypassed the retailer anyway so too late to be chasing them up.

I think the best you can hope for is a goodwill gesture from the manufacturer. Perhaps they will cover the return under the £70 repair.

The really bad news is you will probably be stung for VAT and duties when it is returned to you. Did you pay those when you brought it in to the UK from the US? If so I would talk to HMRC about having repaired items returned. If not then talking to them might be viewed as a bit cheeky at the very least.