Manufacturers Warranty not valid?!

NassimaB

I bought a watch from a high end store in October 2012.

Recently the watch stopped working, I initially thought it was the battery but it turned out to be the mechanism which tells the time.

I took it back to the store along with my warranty booklet and their store stamp. Manager was very helpful and explained the watch will be sent to France for repair and will be sent via courier back to my house. Although there was no date written in the warranty booklet the manager explained the actual booklet and store stamp was sufficient.

I have now been sent a letter from the watch manufacturer asking me to pay £57 (including VAT) to have the watch repaired as in their words 'the estimate has been raised on the understanding that we do not guarantee parts availability on the date the said estimate is accepted'. I'm assuming this means THEY think parts will not be available before October of this year? They have put 09/05/2014 as a 'validity date', my partner said perhaps they go by the date that the watch was made/released but I didn't purchase the watch til late 2012 so surely that's when the warranty ends?

I would really appreciate some advice as I do not wish to pay ANYTHING to them as I know the watch is still under warranty. Also it isn't misuse of the watch as the manager stated the watch as being in very good condition on the repairs form.

Thanks!

marliepanda

How long was the warranty for?

visidigi

The warranty runs from your date of purchase. What date was that and what warranty term came with the watch?

NassimaB

The warranty states it is for a period of 24 months. The watch was bought late October 2012 so still should be within the warranty period.

The store were supposed to write the date of purchase in the small booklet but didn't, it was only stamped.

However I don't think they would have sent it off for repairs if they thought it was past the warranty date.

I don't understand why I am being charged and what a validity date is?

maninthestreet

They're offering to repair it for £57, but the offer expires on the 9th of May?

NassimaB

But why is that an 'offer?' Surely they shouldn't be charging me for a repair if it's still under warranty?

rustyboy21

Most likely the manufacturer works their warranties out by date of manufacture. As it may have been in stock in the shop for a while, this is how the situation has arisen.


Your contract is with the store. so go back to them and tell them it is their responsibility to sort it out, not yours.


Sometimes manufacturers need to be told what is to be done. They don't seem to think that things take longer to sell than straight after it was made ! Happens in my field all the time. I sold a fire that I only bought 2 days previous from my distributor. Fault arose and manufacturer said out of warranty, as made 7 years ago. Told them it was only sold that day, so warranty goes from date of purchase by consumer, not them. You may just need to show proof of purchase to them, to show in warranty.

visidigi

Did you take and provide proof of purchase to the store when you took it in? If you don't provide proof of purchase the manufacturer will go off the date of manufacturer.