Lifetime Guarantee query

bettyangel

I bought my OH a Rotary watch for his 30th Birthday in Nov 2013. The watch recently developed a fault with the internal mechanisms so we took it back to the store for a repair/replacement under the Rotary Lifetime Guarantee.

Rotary are unable to repair the watch as the parts are discontinued but have offered a replacement to the value of £189. This would seem fair but the nearest 'like for like' watch is £225 on their website (although the store we purchased through currently have the same watch reduced to £169).

I read through the (very sparse) terms and conditions of the Lifetime Guarantee which states 'In case of defects covered by the warranty, your Rotary watch will, at the sole option of Rotary Watches, be repaired or replaced free of charge.’

Just after a little bit of advice before we go back into the store to arrange a replacement as from reading the terms of the Lifetime Guarantee you would have thought that Rotary offer us a watch, which closely matches the faulty one, without charging us, regardless of how much the watch is currently retailed at on their website?

visidigi

How much did you pay for the watch?

bettyangel

I paid £169 on a reduced price (would have been around £200-£220 RRP at the time but I can't remember exactly).

The store is currently offering the newer version reduced to that price again but it's £225 on the Rotary website. I called the store to see if we could get it with the £189 offered by Rotary but through their store which is currently offering it at £169 but they've said the replacement will be based on the prices on the Rotary website as we sent it back under the Lifetime Guarantee.

tykesi

So you've had three year's use of a watch and can now 'upgrade' for a measley £35. I think I know what I'd do.

bettyangel

It's not about upgrading though. My OH would have been very happy wearing the same watch for 10 more years or longer had it not developed a fault. It has sentimental value so it's actually disappointing to have to get a replacement. Why should we now have to pay £35 to get a like for like replacement because it can't be fixed?

However, my query was mostly relating to the wording on the terms and conditions for the Lifetime Guarantee so if you have any advice on that then please share.

cono1717

Well it's clear cut really:

will, at the sole option of Rotary Watches, be repaired or replaced free of charge.’

The only thing you'd be able to dispute is the charge, even the sales of goods act allows them to choose to either repair, refund or replace.

agrinnall

cono1717 wrote: »

The only thing you'd be able to dispute is the charge...

Which is exactly the question that the OP has asked, so all you've done is repeat it.

OP, I would argue that what they are offering is effectively a credit note for the original value, which isn't one of the options in their lifetime guarantee, if they can't repair it then they should replace it, which means they provide you with an alternative watch.

glentoran99

I don't understand the problem here, Op has been offered a replacement to the value of £189 and can actually get the watch the want for £169

naedanger

glentoran99 wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here, Op has been offered a replacement to the value of £189 and can actually get the watch the want for £169

The problem is the op is only being offered a replacement with a RRP of up to £189 not a market value of up to £189.

The op therefore cannot get the watch with a market value of £169 without paying a further £36 (being £225 - £189).

vuvuzela

glentoran99 wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here, Op has been offered a replacement to the value of £189 and can actually get the watch the want for £169

Your problem is that you haven't actually read what was posted. I suggest re-reading post #3 again.

sheramber

glentoran99 wrote: »

I don't understand the problem here, Op has been offered a replacement to the value of £189 and can actually get the watch the want for £169

But they can't get it for £169

I called the store to see if we could get it with the £189 offered by Rotary but through their store which is currently offering it at £169 but they've said the replacement will be based on the prices on the Rotary website as we sent it back under the Lifetime Guarantee.