Laptop Charger

BoosHaus

A family member of mine was given a laptop for Christmas (2021). Earlier today when they went to plug it in to charge, the prong of the charger completely snapped off.

I called the company to request a new one, and after telling them what happened they said they couldn’t do anything to help. They don’t sell the chargers on their own and this would be classed as customer damage so they can’t provide a replacement.

I told them that it’s not customer damage - it has snapped right through the metal prong and they were plugging it in normally. It must be some kind of fault.

They reiterated that there is nothing that they can do, and “even if it came out of the box like that, we would class it as customer damage”. The only way to get a replacement would be to pay to have an engineer sent out, but they would confirm that it was damaged and wouldn’t replace it. When I questioned why I would do that, they couldn’t advise. 

None of this sounds right to me. It is 3 months old and has minimal use at best. Any advice? Thanks.

TadleyBaggie

The consumer rights do not exist with your family member, but with whoever purchased the laptop. Further more the rights are against the retailer and not the company that manufactured it.

Within 6 months it should be deemed that a failure is inherent, unless the retailer can prove it was due to misuse.

Ergates

As it was a laptop (which are generally quite expensive) I'm assuming the person who bought it was a close family member too?

It should therefore be relatively simple to get in touch with them - as they'll need to be be the ones who make contact with the retailer (not wtih the manufacturer).   As it is less than 6 months old the manufacturer will have to provide evidence that the damage was caused by the owner if they want to take that position.

When you say the "prong of the charger completely snapped" do you mean one of the metal prongs on the 3 point wall plug?  If that is the case then worst case scenario it should be possible to have the plug replaced.  That shouldn't be necessary (as the retailer should resolve this) but just in case.

The_Fat_Controller

Trying to prove a broken plug that is constantly used is not user damage is going to be very difficult unless you have a materials scientist in the family.

Good luck.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The_Fat_Controller said:

Trying to prove a broken plug that is constantly used is not user damage is going to be very difficult unless you have a materials scientist in the family.

Good luck.

Which has what to do with the OP?

Within 6 months it's taken the goods do not conform unless demonstrated otherwise so it's the retailer that would need the scientist   

born_again

BoosHaus said:

A family member of mine was given a laptop for Christmas (2021). Earlier today when they went to plug it in to charge, the prong of the charger completely snapped off.

Prong on wall plug or prong on charger (usually kettle lead) or prong on laptop end?

coffeehound

Yes if it were a bog-standard figure of 8 cable, it would be very cheap to just buy another. If it is the computer end, then a more expensive buy

cx6

what is the make and model of the laptop. could you post a photo of the broken bit.

cx6

what is the make and model of the laptop. could you post a photo of the broken bit.

user1977

coffeehound said:

Yes if it were a bog-standard figure of 8 cable, it would be very cheap to just buy another. If it is the computer end, then a more expensive buy

But still relatively cheap, in my experience (assuming you don't insist that it has to be the original manufacturer's part)/

powerful_Rogue

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

Trying to prove a broken plug that is constantly used is not user damage is going to be very difficult unless you have a materials scientist in the family.

Good luck.

Which has what to do with the OP?

Within 6 months it's taken the goods do not conform unless demonstrated otherwise so it's the retailer that would need the scientist   

Should be easy enough for the retailer to do should they wish. Certainly sounds like customer error.

If the lead with the plug isn't generic, just cut the plug off and wire into a new plug.