Seemingly Silly Question On Warranties

Dominicwild

I have this fan, that was ordered off of Amazon. No warranty was explicitly stated and it has been 4 months now that I have had this fan, it has begun to break, barely switching on.

Now this is beyond Amazons 30 day return policy (This I assume little can be done at this point) and I'm being told from what I consider dubious sources that "Every electronic product comes with a 12 month warranty" Doesn't this need to be explicitly stated that X product comes with Y warranty for Z amount of time? If a retailer/seller does not state said warranty, simply there is no warranty? My question is a consumer entitled to a 12 month warranty on a product by law? Even if not stated?

frugal_mike

No, there is no law saying that all products have a 12 month warranty. There is a law (the Sale of Goods Act) that gives consumers the right to a remedy when products are inherently faulty.

The problem here is I don't believe Amazon are covered by UK law, so The Sale of Goods Act does not apply. I'm not sure what laws do apply in the country Amazon are based in.

However, have you contacted Amazon to ask them what they are going to do? Their 30 day return policy almost certainly relates to changes of mind. Contact them and see what they say.

Also, did you definitely buy from Amazon and not a Marketplace seller?

neilmcl

Have a look on the manufacturer's website, if they have one, to see if there any warranty terms listed. Did you buy from Amazon or an Amazon seller? Outside of any warranty your statutory rights are with the seller.

bod1467

By the way - Amazon are covered by the laws of the country in which they do business. As they do business in the UK via a UK website then they are covered by UK legislation.

(Is my understanding).

unholyangel

bod1467 wrote: »

By the way - Amazon are covered by the laws of the country in which they do business. As they do business in the UK via a UK website then they are covered by UK legislation.

(Is my understanding).

Amazon arent actually based in the UK.

Their fulfilment centres are owned and operated by amazon UK ltd (or something like that) who in turn sell their services to amazon EU sarl. Its a loophole in the legal system they exploit to their advantage (since luxembourg is more generous tax wise).

ETA: At least I presume you mean based in the UK since obviously targeting the UK market and having a .co.uk doesnt mean anything (otherwise chinese companies would also be forced to comply).

I think thats the way it should work (if a company wants to make money here, they should have to comply with our laws) but unfortunately it doesnt.

frugal_mike

bod1467 wrote: »

By the way - Amazon are covered by the laws of the country in which they do business. As they do business in the UK via a UK website then they are covered by UK legislation.

(Is my understanding).

My understanding was that businesses are covered by the laws of the country in which they are based (hence why I can't use the Sale of Goods Act against an American based company).

dld2s

I would write to Amazon, I have found they are usually quite good in returns

On the relevant laws that govern the sale I am not sure, but if Luxembourg law, they are part of the EU and I believe consumers have a 2 year warranty on items.

Update, just came across this http://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/may/01/amazon-luxembourg-improved-consumer-rights

Maybe not as good customer service as I have received in the past after all all my returns were problems early on

unholyangel

dld2s wrote: »

I would write to Amazon, I have found they are usually quite good in returns

On the relevant laws that govern the sale I am not sure, but if Luxembourg law, they are part of the EU and I believe consumers have a 2 year warranty on items.

Update, just came across this http://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/may/01/amazon-luxembourg-improved-consumer-rights

Maybe not as good customer service as I have received in the past after all all my returns were problems early on

Its not a 2 year warranty in the way we normally use the word warranty.

It just means your rights for faulty goods should remain enforceable for a minimum of 2 years.