PC world - advice please

fuzz1979

advice please! - faulty computer - pc world - We brought a PC back in Dec 2012 and last year had to return it for repair 3 times with the same fault. PC world agreed each time the computer was faulty, sent it off for repair and various components were replaced. The fault is that it can not stay connected to the internet via cable or wireless or is unable to find any networks at all. All other units in house work perfectly. We have also moved in this time frame and fault is still present in the new location.
Finally resolved in Nov 2013 and now surprise surprise fault has returned. Guarantee ended Dec 2013 and repairs guarantee is 3 months. Store policy I have been told in store and on the phone is that if item has to be returned 4 times then you get a refund or replacement. However this is now not applicable as the guarantee has expired.
Advice please - in an ideal world I would like a replacement or refund as this is really not fit for purpose and has spent nearly 2 months with pc world being repaired over the course of 12 months.

Can anyone offer me advice on how to proceed as they are very tricky to deal with.

Handsome90

The store is telling you nonsense. You've consumer rights under Sale of Goods Act (SoGA), which is separate from the manufacture's warranty. Read this guide http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange

Send a letter to them stating that the PC isn't fit for purpose. They had many opportunities to fix the issue but this didn't work. Ideally you would like a refund. You may have to provide an engineer's report stating to prove that the laptop wasn't abused in any way. But it depends whether they want an independent report or not.

The only other advice I can give you is not to buy anything from Dixon's Group. They have terrible customer service.

fuzz1979

Thank you for your reply - am i still able to do this as the guarantee has now expired?

Handsome90

Of course as you are rejecting the goods under SoGA. They cannot takeaway your consumer rights. If you haven't read the article, basically SoGA states the item must be fit for purpose and last a reasonable length of time. The time period of how long goods should last isn't mentioned by law. This is because you wouldn't expect a £1 torch to last as long as a torch which costs £50.

On top of your consumer rights many manufactures also add warranties. This is different from consumer rights and you are bound by their terms and conditions.

bod1467

Trading Standards' SOGA explanation