Very close to using the small claims court. Sony/Vtuner

Diesel44

Hi
I think my next step is the small claims court, I thought I would run my problem over with your goodselves on the forum.

I wanted a hifi unit with internet radio, so I purchased a Sony CMT-G2BNIP costing £400, from a local shop on 27th June 2014. Big mistake, I used cash, I know, sometimes you want to purchase items and be done with it. Lesson one learnt.

Anyway, over course of the year,we have lost the use of the internet radio four times, the last time the service was down for over two months and when it returned it was a very limited service.

The internet radio service is supplied via VTuner, the problem only affect Sony and not other manufactures who use VTuner and is a globle problem.

We have now lost the service again, since 18th May. Sony have put a notice on their support site stating that VTuner have suspended the service.

I have been in touch with my retailer, seeking a refund, saying the unit does not do what it's supposed to do. They keep saying that that's today's services for you, they come and go (like youtube support on older smart tv's)
I think this is wrong and stated that that's what my statutory rights are there to guard against this.
My retailer then got Sony customer service to contact me, who bluntly said no to a refund, stating the unit still plays cd's and other functions)
Anyway, still no internet radio service, so have let my retailer know that I will seek a refund via the small claims court, they did phone me up and said they will look into the problem again and following the small claims guidelines, I have to give my retailer ample time to rectify the problem.

Do I have a case, are we in a throw away society ?
I now have, use credit card next time, stamped on my forehead.

usefulmale

The loss of internet radio is not a fault with your hi-fi. Your claim will go nowhere.

Diesel44

So we do live in a throwaway society.

NotRichAtAll

technically your hi-fi is fine and working perfectly, however the people that provide your internet radio service are not so. Small claim's court will be a waste of your time and money.

the problem only affect Sony and not other manufactures who use VTuner and is a globle problem.

maybe you should of looked at all of the pro's and cons prior to purchase and then not bought a sony unit?

Diesel44

As the VTuner service is working on other manufacturer units and not Sony. this indicates a Sony / VTuner company problem.
The Sony/ Vtuner issue started about five months after purchase.

usefulmale

Diesel44 wrote: »

As the VTuner service is working on other manufacturer units and not Sony. this indicates a Sony / VTuner company problem.
The Sony/ Vtuner issue started about five months after purchase.

This type of problem is not covered by the small claims court as your hi-fi is fully functional and I assume you are not paying for this Vtuner.

There are various threads on Sony forums regarding Vtuner and your model number. Have you checked these for any solutions?

Marktheshark

You would have to read the service contract.
If that service contract formed part of the deal, then the claim is not without hope.

Diesel44

usefulmale wrote: »

This type of problem is not covered by the small claims court as your hi-fi is fully functional and I assume you are not paying for this Vtuner.

There are various threads on Sony forums regarding Vtuner and your model number. Have you checked these for any solutions?

No not paying for Vtuner and oh yes I know about the Sony forums, I have been posting on their too.

My hi-fi is not fully functional, when you turn to the internet radio function, it just says- not available, to me that's not a fully functional unit.

What concerns me, it appears that Sony have done wrong in the agreement that they had with Vtuner, so Vtuner have cut the internet radio off to all Sony products and us as consumers cannot do anything about it.

robatwork

It would be an interesting court case, but not against the retailer.

You would have to sue Sony and Vtuner.

Let us know how it goes.

usefulmale

Diesel44 wrote: »

No not paying for Vtuner and oh yes I know about the Sony forums, I have been posting on their too.

My hi-fi is not fully functional, when you turn to the internet radio function, it just says- not available, to me that's not a fully functional unit.

What concerns me, it appears that Sony have done wrong in the agreement that they had with Vtuner, so Vtuner have cut the internet radio off to all Sony products and us as consumers cannot do anything about it.

Yes, it is fully functional. For instance, if the BBC cut all radio programmes, I could not claim against the manufacturer of my tuner. It would still be capable of picking up radio signals, just that nothing is there. That would be the fault of the BBC, not, say, Sony.

Its the same situation if Vtuner went out of business.

I agree its a pain in the backside for you but the dispute is between Sony and Vtuner. If I were you, I would sell the hi-fi and get one from a different manufacturer.

DandelionPatrol

More research required into why Vtuner is not working with Sony before taking this matter to court against anyone.

Having said that, I don't accept the blanket position that Sony have no case to answer