Advice needed re: laptop bought via Salary Sacrifice

pootsmanuva

Hi all,

I've had a MacBook Air for less than 3 years which has developed a fairly fatal flaw in that it no longer turns on.

Went to my local Apple store who did some cheaper repairs/test but surprise surprise it needed the priciest of repairs in the form of a new logic board. This would cost roughly £400 to repair.

However, I'm understandably unhappy that a pricey, high end item (around £800) has lasted less than 3 years with very little use. As an aside a review of Apple forums would seem to suggest this is a very common problem with MacBook Air's

I was hoping to make a claim under the Sales of Goods act as it could be argued the item is not fit for purpose/should have lasted longer than it did.

Put together a letter to the company it came from who replied almost instantly I needed to take it up with my employer as the hire purchase contract was between them and me.

They also "advised" me that I was basically wasting my time pursuing a claim:

"My understanding is that for a claim to be successful - the goods must have been faulty at the point of manufacture. As the device has lasted several years it is unlikely to have been the case and as such the likelihood of your employers paying out on any claim is very unlikely"

So, couple of questions:
1. Am I quoting the right act given the laptop was bought via a salary sacrifice scheme, essentially hire purchase?

2. Is it correct I need to chase up with my employers

3. Am I really wasting my time pursuing this

4. Anyone want a very expensive desk ornament? :rotfl:;)

Thanks!

Undervalued

From a practical point of view have you investigated any third party repair companies who might actually repair at component level rather than simply board swapping? In may be vastly cheaper.

Otherwise any rights you have are against whoever sold you the item (probably your employer in this case) as you have no contract with Apple beyond any extended warranty that may "belong" to the machine rather than whoever owns it.

Generally you would need an expert report that the fault was inherent. If you have that you could make a claim for the cost of repair plus the cost of the report. They would however be entitled to make a reasonable deduction for the use you have had. Maybe if a six year life would be the norm and you have had three years they may be entitled to only pay half.

Oh, and regarding point 4. Yes, lots of people will as it still has some value for spares or repairs.

pootsmanuva

Sounds like I'd need to get Apple to admit there was problem with manufacturing which is not going to happen.

I hadn't really considered looking at non-Mac repairs so ta! And had also considered selling it for spares but would really need to remove the hard drive first as I'm not sure what sensitive data might be on there.

Thanks though!