Returning a laptop

Hannimal

I recently (end of March) bought a laptop from Currys. I went with the cheapest one as I needed something quickly and cheaply that would support me working from home. I have a separate screen, a docking station etc that I could use but just needed the actual laptop. However, the laptop was so slow that when I connected it to the screen it lagged behind and after installing basic software like Ms Word and google Chrome it just became extremely slow. The C drive only had 28GB of space and program files took up 23GB of that space. Moving everything to an external HD did not help, so I realised I had made a mistake by buying a laptop that isn't powered to do basic stuff on. I immediately (day after buying) wrapped the laptop back in its packaging. 

I first e-mailed Currys PC World about it the day after I got the laptop delivered - this was in March still - and it took a very long time to actually get hold of someone. Now they claim that the laptop is not faulty and therefore I can't return it because I changed my mind. What are my rights here? I ended up having to buy another laptop (a better one this time) but I don't think a laptop that can't support basic browsing and Ms Office tools is fit for purpose. What are my rights here?

Edit: I bought the laptop online and I want to return it for full refund. It is useless to me but the problem is that I switched it on before realising that.

born_again

Which laptop did you get?

societys_child

"I went with the cheapest"

Therein lies your problem, and your purchase is now a used, second hand laptop.

Hannimal

born_again said:

Which laptop did you get?

I believe it is the HP Stream 11-ak0502sa 11.6" Laptop - Intel Celeron , 32 GB eMMC

lewis_hardwick

HP Steam?

The "My first real laptop" bought by parents for kids at Christmas. Horrible things that should be burned!

You won't get a refund. It's been used.

Hannimal

societys_child said:

"I went with the cheapest"

Therein lies your problem, and your purchase is now a used, second hand laptop.

This isn't strictly helpful. It was still £199 of equipment, surely one can expect that a £199 laptop will support basic browsing and using Microsoft office?

shaun_from_Africa

Hannimal said:

but I don't think a laptop that can't support basic browsing and Ms Office tools is fit for purpose. What are my rights here?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-stream-11-ak0501-11-6-laptop-intel-celeron-32-gb-emmc-blue-10189379-pdt.html
and this is what Currys state that this is the sort of thing is designed for:

The HP Stream 11-ak0501sa 11.6" Intel® Celeron™ Laptop is part of our Social range, which features great-value laptops designed to keep you connected to what matters. It's ideal for social media, making notes, email, and shopping online.

It is fit for purpose, just not fit for the purpose that you need. It's an extremely basic laptop with a low specification and provided that it's purchased and used with that in mind, it will be adequate for many people.

Hannimal said:

It is useless to me but the problem is that I switched it on before realising that.

You did more than just switching it on.
You loaded software onto it, something that goes beyond a simple inspection and by doing this, you have invalidated your right to return for a full refund.
Currys can't legally refuse to accept the laptop back but what they can do it to accept it then give you a reduced refund to cover the drop in value from your excessive handling and use.
As it cost just under £200 new, what do you think the value of a used laptop of that model will be to Currys?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hannimal said:

I first e-mailed Currys PC World about it the day after I got the laptop delivered - this was in March still - and it took a very long time to actually get hold of someone. Now they claim that the laptop is not faulty and therefore I can't return it because I changed my mind. What are my rights here? I ended up having to buy another laptop (a better one this time) but I don't think a laptop that can't support basic browsing and Ms Office tools is fit for purpose. What are my rights here?

Have you pointed them to their returns policy:

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/returns-cancellations-1043-theme.html

Separately to the 21 day policy above, and in accordance with your rights when you purchase goods online or over the phone, unwanted items can be returned even if you have opened them for inspection as long as you let us know within 14 calendar days from the day after delivery. Once you have told us you want to return an item, you should do so without undue delay and not later than 14 days from the day on which you informed us of your decision to cancel the order. You can examine the goods as you would in a shop but to obtain a full refund you must not start using them, install them or input any data/software. The goods must be returned in ‘as new’ condition and in their original packaging.

born_again

Hannimal said:

born_again said:

Which laptop did you get?

I believe it is the HP Stream 11-ak0502sa 11.6" Laptop - Intel Celeron , 32 GB eMMC

Well that is never going to power a 2nd screen. in real time.
Clearly states hard drive size. You would need to check M/S office specs, but it is offered as 1 year subs. 
I have a old Asus with even lower specs. Runs internet & word no problem. Just do not expect to do more than 1 thing at once and even then it's slow. Great for streaming films via Amazon/Netflix etc.

You actually state it was needed for working from home. Which hardly falls into basic computing.
You really should have looked at a much higher spec for any sort of work at home.

So it is fit for purpose. Just not your purpose. You did tell them it was for home working? Or did you just pick the cheapest?

societys_child

I't's probably fine for sending emails and lurking on fb.

You wouldn't buy the cheapest, lowest powered car and expect it tow a 4 birth caravan effortlessly,  or a cheap low powered electric drill hoping it would cut quickly through reinforced concrete.

Unfortunately you bought the cheapest you could find, instead of checking if it was good enough for your needs.

shaun_from_Africa

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said

Have you pointed them to their returns policy:

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/returns-cancellations-1043-theme.html

Separately to the 21 day policy above, and in accordance with your rights when you purchase goods online or over the phone, unwanted items can be returned even if you have opened them for inspection as long as you let us know within 14 calendar days from the day after delivery. Once you have told us you want to return an item, you should do so without undue delay and not later than 14 days from the day on which you informed us of your decision to cancel the order. You can examine the goods as you would in a shop but to obtain a full refund you must not start using them, install them or input any data/software. The goods must be returned in ‘as new’ condition and in their original packaging.

The OP did more than simply opening the packaging to inspect the laptop as they loaded software and used the machine.