Is Vodafone Responsible?

AJXX

grumbler wrote: »

Apple is the only manufacturer I know that offers a normal warranty if you buy directly from them and a pathetic 1-year warranty otherwise.
Why other companies (retailers) have to be responsible for Apple's faults after one year?

You don't appear to know a lot then. They offer the same warranty regardless of point of purchase. It can be 'extended' to 3 years by taking out an extended warranty, again, regardless of point of purchase.

Why other retailers have to be responsible is all due to SOGA, that is the law? Retailers are not forced to sell Apple gear are they?

grumbler wrote: »

I am no expert and, luckily, don't have an iPhone. Is my understanding correct that the phone worked fine before the update, but stopped working fine after the update? If so, what difference does it make to a user that it stopped working just because of some 'report'?

That's not what I mean. The Wi-Fi card will have been reporting errors before the update (not that the user will see this). However during the install of the new operating system the Wi-Fi hardware will be checked, as it's reporting errors it'll be disabled by the new OS.

Worked fine before X and now not working after X is a very simplistic view of things and is not taking into account the technicalities of how stuff works. Especially if the OP needs to peruse it through courts etc...

grumbler

AJXX wrote: »

You don't appear to know a lot then. They offer the same warranty regardless of point of purchase.

Well, they seem to have changed this webpage recently: http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/
Not long time ago it was clearly saying about 2-year "Coverage provided at no additional cost" for direct purchases from Apple. Feel free to argue that it was 'coverage', not 'warranty'. Who cares how it was called? I think that they still provide this free 'coverage', but changed the webpage. Was it because that they realised that it wasn't 'honourable'?

Why other retailers have to be responsible is all due to SOGA, that is the law? Retailers are not forced to sell Apple gear are they?

Are we not talking about 'honor', not 'law'? 1 year is shamelessly short warranty for one of the most expensive phones, and other manufacturers do have honour to understand this.

That's not what I mean. The Wi-Fi card will have been reporting errors before the update (not that the user will see this).

What did the user see then? A working WiFi?

Worked fine before X and now not working after X is a very simplistic view of things and is not taking into account the technicalities of how stuff works.

End user doesn't need to know technicalities. For the user it's indeed WiFi "worked fine before X and now not working after X".

wadihalfa

Now, now, stop bickering among yourselves!

Firstly, the Wi-Fi stopped working of its own accord, not as a result of installing new software. I didn't drop it, or anything else that would damage the phone. I am one of those old fashioned types who take care of their posessions. Apart from not working properly, the phone is in mint condition. Thats why I'm annoyed its broken.
Secondly, Apple are the manufacturers of the product and are aware that there is a problem with the Wi-Fi chip on the 4S. Therefore, they have obligations under consumer law. I do not think it is unreasonable to expect a £400+ phone to last more than 18 months. As I bought it from Vodafone, I expect them to take responsibility for it and get recompense from Apple.
If the manufacturer of a car discovers that a faulty part was fitted, then they are re-called and repaired at the companys expense. Not at the cost of the retailer or purchaser. Whats the difference here?

grumbler

wadihalfa wrote: »

...Apple are the manufacturers of the product and are aware that there is a problem with the Wi-Fi chip on the 4S. Therefore, they have obligations under consumer law.

I don't know any law saying this.

If you mean SoGA, then it's the supplier who has obligations, not the manufacturer.

If the manufacturer of a car discovers that a faulty part was fitted, then they are re-called and repaired at the companys expense.

I think this happens only if the fault is dangerous. Nobody will recall cars because of, say, faulty radio antenna.