Partner been told to pay for broken laptop

The_Magnificent_Spoon

DKLS wrote: »

I would question the figure of 1k, I saw what one company I worked for paid for laptops, they had a retail price of 1k, but due to our buying power we would pay £229 for each laptop.

No amount of buying power would get a £1k laptop for £229, most likely buying used or massively inflated RRP. The markup on it components and systems is next to nothing as its so incredibly competitive.

But 100% ask to see the original invoice, value and date bought, and ask for the specifications of the laptop. You can easily work out its current value after annually calculated depreciation.

They are not entitled to betterment, so for example if it was a three year old dell Inspiron laptop actually worth about £100, then you owe them £100.

I don't think you can deny liability for the damage caused but definitely argue the value. £1000 would mean he would have had a brand new top of the range laptop. Which 99% of people just don't have.

I work as a senior support for a business that sells a lot of laptops to our business clients. 95% of what they buy are £400 ish. Those that want something a bit better usually spend up to around £700. Not many go higher, and that's mostly for specialist workstation class systems.

DKLS

The_Magnificent_Spoon wrote: »

No amount of buying power would get a £1k laptop for £229, most likely buying used or massively inflated RRP. The markup on it components and systems is next to nothing as its so incredibly competitive.

Not used laptops, and the RRP bares no relation to what an organisation would pay when placing an order for 15,000 laptops every two years and the same organisation that could sell its company cars for a profit after 2 years of use.

Buying power like that makes negotiating a doddle.

robatwork

Ignoring the liability element, but a thought about the £1000.

If this company are paid £1000 by yourselves you are in effect buying the old laptop, so I would be expecting an undertaking from them in writing that you will get the old laptop.

tberry6686

Laptop could easily be worth £3k depending on spec. I know my work laptop is and that is with a decent discount (the laptop was the highest spec possible when it was purchased a year ago and is still pretty much the highest spec you can get).

CrowCrow

Charliezoo wrote: »

Hi all,

My partner has been a self employed contractor working full time at a large UK business for several years. Recently a team from an outside company came from France to do some work with my partner. One of the team members was having problems with their laptop during a meeting, my partner offered to assist and as he reached over for the mouse, a plastic cup of water which the French team member had placed on the desk between the various cables was knocked over by the mouse wire. Unfortunately the water went over the laptop, my partner helped to try and dry it out but there was no way of knowing if the laptop would be ok until it had fully dried.

A few days later, once the team had returned to France, my partner was told that the laptop was fried, it was his fault and he was liable to pay for it. There was no mention of any independent inspection to determine the condition of the laptop and as far as the UK company is concerned, it's his fault and he has to pay the £1000 out of his own pocket to replace it.

Does this sound right? It seems pretty unfair considering one of the French team members had placed a cup of water in such a stupid place close to an expensive laptop and surely either company should have insurance to cover such accidents. It also seems to have been accepted that this laptop is not fixable without any proof.

Does he really have to pay?

Have you never worked in an office? Most people have their drinks in a 'stupid place' close to expensive equipment.

He's a contractor, he has insurance, no?