Returning my Laptop to PC World - what are my rights?

loz_the_guru

Booting up my apple macbook this morning, my heart filled with dread as I heard the all too familiar clicking noise of a dead harddrive. Luckily, theres another week before its warranty runs out, which is something at the very least.

However, Im going away on business for two weeks on the 8th of August, and I really could do with it for the trip. Im sure that if I take it back to PC world they are going to send it off to apple for repair, which can take months from what ive heard. I was already going to take it in before the warranty expired as Ive been ahving minor problems, such as it getting unusually hot and noisy, as well as a few unusual crashes.

Am I within in my rights to request a replacement there and then, or do I just have to accept that theyre going to send it away? As I said, I really really need it for the upcoming trip, its bad enough ive lost the data. Do I have any case whatsoever to argue, or is it a completely lost cause?

MajorR

how long have you had it?

albertross_2

You could always leave them with the HD, and buy a cheap one to last for your trip, then use it as a backup drive on your return

loz_the_guru

ive had it for nearly a year - the warranty runs out on august the 7th, so cutting it pretty close!

Albertross: I think theyll probably send it off to apple as a whole system. Im also not 100% it is a harddrive problem - it could be something to do with the systems logic board.

MajorR

At less than a year old you could well argue that its not 'fit for purpose' and "not of satisfactory quality".
2 things that your protected for in the sale of goods act. meaning you could be within your rights to ask for a replacement rather than a refund. But your'll have to fight your corner and stand your ground.


http://www.consumerline.org/legislation/?cat=consumer+law&item=sale+of+goods

Strangled

Have you an Apple store near you, they may be able to fix it on-site ?

loz_the_guru

the closest is a good 2 hour drive so would really rather avoid it. Thanks for teh advice MajorR, will certainly have a go. Any advice for me? presumably i'll need to speak to the store manager etc?

nickj_2

i think you would be well within your rights for a replacement
hard drives should not fail after such a short time
btw , my local repair man told me that h/d's usually fail around
5-6 yrs , which again isn't that wonderful

sco0ter

You will definately get the hard drive replaced but I doubt they will replace the whole computer.... A bit like asking for a new TV just because the remote knackered or A whole new stereo because a speaker broke.

As the hard drive is in all terms "A seperate removable/replaceable component" then that can be seen as the faulty part and not the whole Unit as Im sure the rest of the unit IS fit for its purpose.

MajorR

You can still use a TV without the remote, try using a PC without a HHD ! But yeah the shop is likely to say something along those lines so ask the manager to use it without a HDD and obviously when he can't you can start quoting the sale of goods act.

Any advice for me? presumably i'll need to speak to the store manager etc?

yes you gota speak to someone who can make the call, but basically you';ll be arguing that its...

1.not fit for purpose i.e. its broke, ask him to use it, to show its ok if he disagrees and when he can't say well its 'not fit for purpose'

2.not of satisfactory quality i.e. list the problems you have been having prior to it breaking down, and say that in your opinion there was something wrong with it in the first place.

Millionaire

Thing is the part is replacable without having to replace the whole thing. So the companies within its right to replace the defective part only which in this case requires them to send it off.

This is where the argument for extended warranties comes in which i saw a post on here which had a debate "for" and "against" them going on.

I recently had a hard drive playing up but took out a 3 year at home extended warranty which I got from dell for around £90 quid after i haggled with them from £130. which i thought was a bargain.

Rang them up when it started playing up and next day in the morning someone came around with a brand new drive and fitted it in and loaded the OS for me and got it up and running in no time.

No hassle, no worries, one phone call.