Broadband router dead after just over 2 years - do my statutory rights apply?

sweetintuition

Hi,

I have broadband with Sky and my router just died and I was told as it was not covered by warranty (1 year), I would have to buy another one at the whopping fee of £70 (which of course, I felt pressured to do that day since I was without internet and I work from home). T

The router is only 2 years old, I find it incredible that it could have such a short life span.

Can someone please tell me if my statutory rights apply here and if I can request a refund?

I also - someone else told me this could potentially fall under EU statutory rights law - which I understand is now 6 years?

Any insight would be great

Thanks!

wealdroam

Yes of course your statutory rights apply.
As a consumer, they cannot be taken away from you.

Read MSE's Consumer Rights guide.

Oh, and forget about any EU Directive.
An EU Directive isn't law.

powerful_Rogue

£70! Let me guess Sky quoted you that?!

You can pick a router up online for as little as £15.

Obviously the more connections/range/features you want is going to set you back more, but if its just for basic use, get yourself a cheap one.

neilmcl

Threaten to move your broadband to another provider and then see what Sky offers.

jwruk

Did you buy the original router from Sky, or was it free as part of your broadband package?

Hintza

You can't just buy any older router for sky. They manage to block most of them but you can get round that.

New ones on EBay for about £35.

gik

wealdroam wrote: »

Yes of course your statutory rights apply.
As a consumer, they cannot be taken away from you.

Read MSE's Consumer Rights guide.

Oh, and forget about any EU Directive.
An EU Directive isn't law.

Would the fact it's used for business make a difference?

powerful_Rogue

Hintza wrote: »

You can't just buy any older router for sky. They manage to block most of them but you can get round that.

New ones on EBay for about £35.

Or refurbished ones for a as little as £15.

wealdroam

gik wrote: »

Would the fact it's used for business make a difference?

Probably not.

The 'work from home' sounds like the business use might be insignificant.

Of course if it is anything other than that, then my answer might be different.

What's your view Gordikin?

MisterBaxter

I have had similar issues with routers failing after a couple of years at best, I have always assumed that it is because they are on 24/7 and it's probably a heat issue with the internal components. I don't think I have had a BT HomeHub last more than 18 months. I end up buying standard routers.

Not sure why business use would make much difference given that in this broadband era domestic routers are commonly left switched on and working all the time. Some of the models designed for corporate use such as the cisco routers will have built in cooling so are more suited to constant use.

If you buy a new router the price you end up paying will often be governed by the features you want.

shaun_from_Africa

MisterBaxter wrote: »

Not sure why business use would make much difference given that in this broadband era domestic routers are commonly left switched on and working all the time.

It can make a difference as buying something for consumer use gives you more statutory rights over buying something for business use.

The Sale of goods act covers both purchases, but certain sections of it only apply to business to consumer transactions.