How long should a product last ?

Ebe_Scrooge

I'm wondering if anyone can offer some advice please.

Last year I bought my son a Kindle Fire for Christmas. In the last couple of weeks or so, it's started switching itself off when he's in the middle of doing something. Phoned up Amazon, who agreed it sounds like a fault.

Now, I bought it in October last year ( bought early in time for Christmas ), so technically it's outside of the 12 month warranty period. Amazon said that because of this, basically "tough".

To my mind, it should last more than 13 months. I googled for SOGA, and that seems to say the onus is on the consumer to prove the product was faulty when it was bought. But surely there must be something to say that even though it was not faulty when purchased, it should be expected to last a "reasonable" length of time ? Do I have any rights here, if so could anyone point me in the direction of the relevant legislation ? Or once it's out of warranty is that it ?

hollydays

Wait for others more knowledgeable responses, but I think you already have your answer. No ones saying it doesn't have to last longer, just that you have to prove it.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Yes, the onus is on the consumer to prove the fault is inherent. As a reasonable time, that depends on the product. An oil filter on a car may be at the end of its life within six months due to use, mileage. Though the trinket you have, it could be argued should last for a period of time longer tan this.

One would suffice to say, that it is probably a battery issue. You could waste loads of time trying to get a replacement, but I use these types of trinket, and leave on charge overnight. What I suggest first is to deplete the battery, then charge fully for a day, then deplete again, and fully charge for another day.

zaax

According to law 6 years is a reasonable time. Get a report from the repairer if it is a manufacture fault you can take the supplier to court - plenty of links above

Ebe_Scrooge

Thanks, I'll try the battery trick, and if that doesn't help I'll get back to Amazon and see what they have to say about "reasonable length of time".

meer53

zaax wrote: »

According to law 6 years is a reasonable time. Get a report from the repairer if it is a manufacture fault you can take the supplier to court - plenty of links above

Where does it say this ? You're wrong.

Poppie68

zaax wrote: »

According to law 6 years is a reasonable time. Get a report from the repairer if it is a manufacture fault you can take the supplier to court - plenty of links above

The 'Law' doesn't say that at all....what it says is a product can be expected to last for a reasonable amount of time, if it doesn' you have got 6 years to make a claim.

System

zaax wrote: »

According to law 6 years is a reasonable time. Get a report from the repairer if it is a manufacture fault you can take the supplier to court - plenty of links above

Six years is the time limit for making a claim.

The 'reasonable' time goods should last depends on opinion and the nature of the goods. It's woolly.

A tablet failing after a year doesn't sound reasonable though.

The six month issue is a bit different. Within six months it's up to the retailer to prove it's not faulty. After six months it's up to the consumer to prove it is (a fault as opposed to damaged, worn out etc.)

There is a detailed page about it on this website: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange?_ga=1.22077496.262715541.1398894632#goods

Mark_Hewitt

What is a reasonable time is open to interpretation. I would say that longer than 1 year is reasonable for such a product with such a cost, but if the retailer refuses to budge you'll have a hard job moving them.

Ebe_Scrooge

* Update *

I phoned them back this evening, asked to speak to the supervisor. Laid it on thick about the fact that despite it being out of warranty, it had not lasted "a reasonable time". She checked our account, said she could see we were good customers ( I do buy a lot of stuff there ), and said as a "gesture of goodwill" they will replace it.

I don't know if it was the mention of SOGA or what, but I'm a happy bunny - my little lad even more so !

Thanks for all your advice, and it just goes to show - stand your ground, be polite but firm, and it pays off

steven504

If it turns out to be the battery even 6 months could be considered reasonable.