SOGA Acceptance of goods

GandalfG

Hi everyone,
In February 2014, I bought 36 LED GU10 light bulbs for the spotlights in my house. They cost more than £10 + VAT each, but I assumed I would be saving money on the standard 50W halogens. They were advertised as rated for 50000 hours and with a 5 year guarantee. After about a year, the bulbs started failing. As they failed I returned them to the company for replacements (I returned about 15). To date 21 out of 36 have failed. When I tried returning them almost a year ago, I was told they are out of warranty. I pointed out that the warranty was for 5 years not 3 and they told me I need to register for the extra 2 years. I told them this was never mentioned to me and I sent them a screenshot of their site clearly saying 5 years warranty and they changed that bulb as a goodwill gesture!
Since then, I have at least 5 more failures and when I got in touch with them they put me through to the manufacturer, who after running me around for about 5 months sent me back to them. I have quoted them the sale of goods act and they have offered me to replace all the bulbs with a newer model, but with no guarantee.
I told them I have no confidence in the manufacturer anymore and I would like a refund.
Can I force through the refund or do I have to take the replacements?

[Deleted User]

GandalfG wrote: »

I have quoted them the sale of goods act and they have offered me to replace all the bulbs with a newer model, but with no guarantee.
I told them I have no confidence in the manufacturer anymore and I would like a refund.
Can I force through the refund or do I have to take the replacements?

What part of SOGA did you quote?
You do realise that any warranty offered is in addition to your statutory rights?
I think you'll have to accept the replacements.

They are not required to refund you after four years and you are fortunate that they are offering to replace.

Zandoni

I'd take the replacements, they might well have improved the design by now. Is it LEDHUT by any chance?

GandalfG

Thank you for your replies
No it is not LEDHut.
I quoted that the goods are not satisfactory quality or as described. I told them the 60% failure rate in 4 years is proof.
I was wodering what the 6 month period for acceptance means. If the defect is something I could not have known about during the first 6 months, have I accepted the product?

NCC-1707

GandalfG wrote: »

Thank you for your replies
No it is not LEDHut.
I quoted that the goods are not satisfactory quality or as described. I told them the 60% failure rate in 4 years is proof.
I was wodering what the 6 month period for acceptance means. If the defect is something I could not have known about during the first 6 months, have I accepted the product?

Or there is something wrong in your unit/wiring causing them to prematurely to fail perhaps?

GandalfG

The units were bought in the same transaction. The wiring in the house has an electrical safety certificate. They haven't yet come up with that reason yet. I deliberately bought the units with as I needed fire rated units which were open at the back for the LEDs (thats what I was told)

LilElvis

The seller gets to choose which remedy they wish to give - repair, replace or refund - so an offer of replacement is perfectly acceptable.

GandalfG

I have just found out that the replacement they are offering me is the updated version which is rated at 25000 hours. I would think that I can definitely ask for a replacement which is rated for 50000 hours the same as the original ones.
Is that correct?

powerful_Rogue

GandalfG wrote: »

I have just found out that the replacement they are offering me is the updated version which is rated at 25000 hours. I would think that I can definitely ask for a replacement which is rated for 50000 hours the same as the original ones.
Is that correct?

What do the terms of the warranty you are claiming under say?

If you want to use your rights under the SOGA, then they could ask you for independent report stating the bulbs are inherently faulty. Is such report did confirm that, then you would get the report fee refunded and a remedy.

If they offered a refund, the could deduct a percentage to take into account the use you have already had which is 4 years. I would hazard that on a £10 bulb you would be looking at around £1 refund.

Pick your battles, this is not one! Accept the replacement and move on.

lincroft1710

Was it 50,000 hrs or up to 50,000 hrs? 50,000 hrs equals over 5 yrs continuous 24 hr use, pretty good bulbs!

GandalfG

Yes thats why I was upset when they start flashing much earlier. Seems ike they should have been at 70% of full brightness after 50000 hours. They were supposed to be equivlent to 65w halogens so after 50000 hours equivalent to 45.5W halogens
See link https://www.megamanuk.com/products/led-lamps/reflector/gu10/141751/
They have been discontinued