Manufacturer Refusing To Repair Goods

1960vintageboy

Hello - this is a bit of a long winded story. In summary I purchased an electrical device about 7 months ago - second hand. About 4 weeks ago it went wrong and I contacted the company that first retailed it (I am not the original buyer) and explained the situation. The retailer was quite helpful but told me that as I was not the original purchaser (It was originally bought in 2015) I would have to pay for any repairs. I was then informed that the manufacturer would NOT repair the item as I was not the original purchaser. My question is simple - so much time has expired that I no longer have details for the person I purchased the item from. Are manufacturers able to refuse to repair the item - It is a hi-tech piece of hearing equipment - I am partially deaf. The item costs around £ 600 - £ 700 - I paid £ 325 and am left with a non functioning item and my only option seems to be buying a brand new one from the same company.

glentoran99

Yes they can, the rights only extend to the person they entered into contract with

1960vintageboy

Hello - I was actually asking if a manufacturer can refuse to repair their own goods even if I am paying for the work. I am not expecting anything to be done for free.

LABMAN

1960vintageboy wrote: »

Hello - I was actually asking if a manufacturer can refuse to repair their own goods even if I am paying for the work. I am not expecting anything to be done for free.

Yes they can.

pappa_golf

yes , many manufacturers are just that and do not have repair departments , they should give you the name of an authorized repairer

LABMAN

pappa_golf wrote: »

yes , many manufacturers are just that and do not have repair departments , they should give you the name of an authorized repairer

They may be able to point the OP in the direction of a repairer. I would imagine authorised repairers of hearing equipment would be few and far between.

DCFC79

1960vintageboy wrote: »

Hello - I was actually asking if a manufacturer can refuse to repair their own goods even if I am paying for the work. I am not expecting anything to be done for free.

If they wanted to refuse to repair if you were even paying for the fix yes they can do that.

1960vintageboy

I would just like to point out that this is a very specialised piece of equipment I have NO other option but to return the item to the manufacturer. They do have a repair department and they can undertake both the diagnosis and repair of the item they are telling me because I am not the original purchaser they will not carry out any repairs even if I pay the full cost - how can this be either fair or decent business ethics. In essence what they are saying is "We will not repair your item but we are quite happy to sell you a brand new one."

tykesi

1960vintageboy wrote: »

how can this be either fair or decent business ethics.

It doesn't have to be, it just has to be legal.


Which it is.

cmthephoenix

1960vintageboy wrote: »

I would just like to point out that this is a very specialised piece of equipment I have NO other option but to return the item to the manufacturer. They do have a repair department and they can undertake both the diagnosis and repair of the item they are telling me because I am not the original purchaser they will not carry out any repairs even if I pay the full cost - how can this be either fair or decent business ethics. In essence what they are saying is "We will not repair your item but we are quite happy to sell you a brand new one."

A business is there to make money, not be fair or decent. If it determines that it will make more money offering a new item than a repair then that is what it will offer in an environment where it has no competition.

1960vintageboy

tykesi wrote: »

It doesn't have to be, it just has to be legal.


Which it is.

I am not 100% sure that you would take that attitude if you were in my position .........