Broken kindle screen

adolphin10

Hi we have a kindle that was bought in August 2012 so 16 months ago. The screen won't turn on properly so is half the off screen and half the on screen. I have spoken to amazon who tell me there is a years warranty so that's it nothing can be done. Is this correct? Apparently I cannot even pay for repairs myself all they are suggesting is buy a refurbished kindle for £47 or upgrade with a discount (they did not mention how much the discount would be). Am I correct to find this extremely disappointing? Surely a discount on the same model would be better? Or at least more assistance in repairing the one we have?

frugal_mike

Under the Sale of Goods Act goods have to last a reasonable length of time. Now I know nothing about Kindles so don't know what a reasonable length of time is, but I would have expected more than 16 months.

If the fault is inherent (i.e it was not caused by accidental damage, misuse or fair wear and tear etc) then Amaon have to repair, replace or refund. You can specify which you want, but can't force Amazon to give a remedy that is more costly than one of the others (so effectively they get to pick). If they refund then it can be partial to account for the usage you have had of the system.

However the Sale of Goods Act also says that after 6 months have passed then the onus is on the consumer to prove that the fault is inherent. Amazon don't have to do anything until you've done that (probably by an independent report stating that the fault is inherent).

Smithers37

Selling your faulty kindle on ebay and putting it towards A refurb for £47 would be a lot easier and cost effective than getting an inspection done and trying to prove a SOGA case.

brendon

I've read elsewhere that people have got replacements after 15 months with the same issue. Perhaps you'd get a replacement if you simply upped the pressure -- writing them a letter, referencing the Sales of Goods act and why you think you are entitled to a replacement, might be worth a punt.

adolphin10

Many thanks I think I am just disappointed that I can't just have a small reduction in price on the same item as I don't want a refurbished one or an upgrade. I might just send an email and see what they say as brendon suggested.

paddedjohn

Smithers37 wrote: »

Selling your faulty kindle on ebay and putting it towards A refurb for £47 would be a lot easier and cost effective than getting an inspection done and trying to prove a SOGA case.

When buying a refurb off Amazon the want the old kindle returned as part of the deal. At least that's my experience.

sickparrot

Considering you can buy a Nook or a Kobo for £30 the price for a refurb Kindle is a rip-off.

I've got 2 nooks now, I still use the broke-screen kindle to buy the books then transfer them using Calibre.

SimonSays

My 18 month old kindle had a "Charge Battery" message.

Amazon replaced it no quibble. Maybe it goes off the amount you spend with them to see how generous they are.

adolphin10

Many thanks for your responses. I emailed them to say I was disappointed that I was not simply offered a discount on a new one and they are sending me one in replacement!

frugal_mike

adolphin10 wrote: »

Many thanks for your responses. I emailed them to say I was disappointed that I was not simply offered a discount on a new one and they are sending me one in replacement!

Great result, thanks for letting us know.