Faulty Goods, Software

Paulmawr

Recently purchased from a major high street vendor a license for me to download MS Office for my new PC.  Which I received by post.  Tried to register it with Microsoft I found that the  vendor has not registered the purchase in order to activate it.  Twice I phoned their call centre and each time after over an hour got to be put through to another department which takes another hour to suddenly be cut off.  Tried also to message them twice and they have got back even though the first time I was told they would get back to me.   Where do I stand on this what are my rights?  I’m worried that I cannot get this rectified if it goes beyond 28 days.  I can’t go to my lock store for obviously reasons. 

Can you advise and has anyone else had a similar issue.
 

JJ_Egan

Why would the vendor need to register your purchase ??Never ever heard that before .

Last two similar purchases of MS Office i just entered the given key to register/ activate no problem .

Fosterdog

JJ_Egan said:

Why would the vendor need to register your purchase ??Never ever heard that before .

Last two similar purchases of MS Office i just entered the given key to register/ activate no problem .

A lot of the newer software packages work the same as gift cards and have to be swiped or scanned to be activated at checkout, it's to reduce theft from stores, reduce excess packaging, and probably more importantly to the companies involved to reduce costs. It's been the most common format for the last 5-6 years with more and more software companies following the big names and using this method.

JJ_Egan

Thanks thats something i was unaware of.

probably due to not buying in store .

Ectophile

It sounds like it may be an uphill struggle one way or another.  Legally, the Limitations Act gives you 6 years to make a claim (5 in Scitland).  28 days is the limit to an automatic refund for faulty goods.

Assuming you paid using a card, you might want to try talking to your bank.  They should be able to do a chargeback.  Or a Section 75 claim if it was a credit card and over £100.  Section 75 is a legal right, so is better when it applies.

shaun_from_Africa

Ectophile said:

28 days is the limit to an automatic refund for faulty goods.

A slight correction.
It's actually 30 days from when the consumer received the goods for the short term right of rejection and although in the vast majority of cases the retailer does provide this refund without any problems, the right of refund isn't automatic as the retailer can insist that the consumer proves a fault or breach of contract.