Rights to return a computer bought online

MarkWatson

No, and that is the point. In a shop it comes preloaded with software and out of a box so that it can be tested. That is all I have done at home. This is a reconditioned machine, so yes, I have been willing to accept a used model.

wealdroam

MarkWatson wrote: »

No, and that is the point. In a shop it comes preloaded with software and out of a box so that it can be tested. That is all I have done at home. This is a reconditioned machine, so yes, I have been willing to accept a used model.

Then all you need to do is convince PCW. Good luck.

SuperHan

MarkWatson wrote: »

No, and that is the point. In a shop it comes preloaded with software and out of a box so that it can be tested. That is all I have done at home. This is a reconditioned machine, so yes, I have been willing to accept a used model.

What software though? No additional software is loaded in a shop, just the factory standards and maybe a demo video, but nothing like Office or anti virus and often no internet connection.

Also, as you've added personal info (which you couldn't do in a shop) there will need to be additional data cleanses on your machine which may well incur an additional cost.

MarkWatson

Thanks wealdroam, I shall be doing that!

lucy03

OP, keep the forum informed as it'd be interesting for future reference to see how much the retailer tries to deduct as a reasonable charge in a case like this. I'd be surprised if they go for a figure of less than £50 or so and imagine it'd be a little higher.

MarkWatson

I would be stunned if they went for that! We are talking about a brown cardboard box and some filling material. The actual cost of that would be less than £5 so unless they are seeking to make a profit on this aspect of things (which I imagine would be contrary to the regulations) then I would expect something around that mark.

unholyangel

There is guidance on the regs which you can read here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310044/bis-13-1368-consumer-contracts-information-cancellation-and-additional-payments-regulations-guidance.pdf


Worth noting though that they can't deduct anything if they havent provided you with certain information about your cancellation rights.

(9) If (in the case of a sales contract) the value of the goods is diminished by any amount as a result of handling of the goods by the consumer beyond what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods, the trader may recover that amount from the consumer, up to the contract price.

(10) An amount that may be recovered under paragraph (9)—

(a)may be deducted from the amount to be reimbursed under paragraph (1);
(b)otherwise, must be paid by the consumer to the trader.

(11) Paragraph (9) does not apply if the trader has failed to provide the consumer with the information on the right to cancel required by paragraph (l) of Schedule 2, in accordance with Part 2.

And paragraph (l) of schedule 2 says:

(l)where a right to cancel exists, the conditions, time limit and procedures for exercising that right in accordance with regulations 27 to 38;

(and regulations 27 to 38 include the "reimbursement by trader"/diminished value section.

shaun_from_Africa

MarkWatson wrote: »

I would be stunned if they went for that! We are talking about a brown cardboard box and some filling material. The actual cost of that would be less than £5 so unless they are seeking to make a profit on this aspect of things (which I imagine would be contrary to the regulations) then I would expect something around that mark.

It's not just a case of them reboxing it and selling it again.
Apart from the box and packing materials, they will probably need to get someone to restore the laptop back to its "out of the box" state.
Even though you will be restoring it, PC World won't know if this has been done fully and correctly and for all they know there could be some form of malware left on there, something that could make them liable if they sell it like that and the next purchaser has problems.

susancs

The returns/cancellation after sales terms and conditions of PCworld website orders are stated on here:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/terms-and-conditions-861-theme.html#returns
"Following The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations, we will accept items back even if you have opened the goods to inspect them. You are entitled to a refund as long as you inform us of your decision to cancel within 14 calendar days from the day after delivery of the goods. The goods must be in an ‘as new’ condition and returned in the original, undamaged packaging, along with any accessories and free gifts received with them. You can examine the goods as you would in a shop but you must not have used or installed them or input any data on them. Whilst the goods are in your possession you must take reasonable care of them. DVDs, CDs, memory cards and software packaging discs must still be sealed. If you want to return a Software Product Activation Key card which is not faulty, the silver strip on the back of the card must be fully intact as new".....

"We may make a deduction from the refund for any loss in value of the goods if the loss is a result of any unnecessary handling by you".

daytona0

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

It's not just a case of them reboxing it and selling it again.
Apart from the box and packing materials, they will probably need to get someone to restore the laptop back to its "out of the box" state.
Even though you will be restoring it, PC World won't know if this has been done fully and correctly and for all they know there could be some form of malware left on there, something that could make them liable if they sell it like that and the next purchaser has problems.

Yea, this.

As a side note to OP, but binning the original packaging within 7 working days is a bad move. By virtue of you trying to cancel the contract then you were obviously doubting the item, or you wanted to test it first, or you hadn't done your research properly. You don't throw away packaging there!! You only throw it away when you're happy with it (and even then a lot of people don't throw it away!). Your negligence has caused this to be of lesser value, and so you have to pay for that. You're lucky if you aren't penalised for testing the item too, as you could have personalised it/put data onto it which brings in the post by African Shaun.