Faulty goods after manufacturers guarantee

Toyah14

Hi 
My record player, pro-ject e jukebox, has developed a fault 9 months after the manufacturers warranty has expired.
The retailer has been really good but explains that on contacting the manufacturer, as its out of warranty I will have to pay for repairs.
The unit has hardly been used and well looked after.

 Questions.
Would I be covered under the sale of goods act, in expecting the item to last longer even though its out of warranty?
Also if it is covered, this is making me really anxious, how do I approach the nice guys in the shop without sounding condescending?

Thank you for looking

Aylesbury_Duck

You do have consumer rights, but after this amount of time (I'm guessing 21 months after purchase?) it's up to you to prove a fault.  You'll need to have it inspected by someone (probably just an electrical/electronics technician/repair person) and then you go to the retailer with the report if it suggests that the item was inherently faulty.  The retailer then has the choice to repair it, replace it or refund you.  Any refund may be discounted to account for the use you've had to date.

DullGreyGuy

SOGA was replaced by the Consumer Rights Act and is your source of statutory rights.

Pro-ject normally come with a 2 year warranty so presumably its 2.75 years old?

After 6 months of ownership the CRA says its your responsibility to show the item was faulty at the time of purchase or not of reasonable durability, though many retailers will still arrange the inspection etc despite this. As the item is over 6 months old then it also entitles the merchant to consider dealing with it as a refund reduced to reflect the use you've already gotten out of it before the fault happened. 

What is the fault? Have you been given a repair cost estimate? Certain elements, such as the belt and stylus may be considered consumables and whilst these are still covered by the CRA their expected durability is going to be lower than say the platter. 

Toyah14

DullGreyGuy said:

SOGA was replaced by the Consumer Rights Act and is your source of statutory rights.

Pro-ject normally come with a 2 year warranty so presumably its 2.75 years old?

After 6 months of ownership the CRA says its your responsibility to show the item was faulty at the time of purchase or not of reasonable durability, though many retailers will still arrange the inspection etc despite this. As the item is over 6 months old then it also entitles the merchant to consider dealing with it as a refund reduced to reflect the use you've already gotten out of it before the fault happened. 

What is the fault? Have you been given a repair cost estimate? Certain elements, such as the belt and stylus may be considered consumables and whilst these are still covered by the CRA their expected durability is going to be lower than say the platter. 

Hi 
Thank you for your reply.
Yes its 2.75 years old.
I'm not sure what is wrong with it.
It is definitely not the stylus or the cartridge, they have said it could be the pre amp or even a loose wire the retailers are not sure.
If I turn the volume up fully I can just about hear the music.
The quality of sound has deteriorated over the last year until its gone altogether its just put me off using it.
I have not been given an estimate on repair as the turntable has to be sent to the manufacturers agents, who won't, understandably, give a quote without seeing it.
I just don't know what to do for the best.
Thank you again 

DullGreyGuy

The phono stage/pre-amp would be a good bet but you should be able to test that if you have or can borrow an amp with a Phono input in which case connect it to the Phono Out of your deck

Presumably its the original MM cartridge you're using and you havent switched it for a MC? 

Ultimately you'd need a diagnosis and an expert opinion on the cause of the fault/if its reasonable for a device of this age. Assuming the opinion is that its not fair wear & tear or user error then you;d have the discussion with the retailer about a repair, replacement or refund but with it being close to 3 years old a 50% refund is probably the sort of ballpark you'd be looking at

Toyah14

Thank you DullGreyGuy
I have arranged for someone to look at my turntable and I will take it from there.
I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall.
The retailers are just saying that the warranty is for 2 years and after that it's tough, it doesn't matter about the law that's what pro ject says.
I haven't changed anything it hasn't even really been moved from the day I bought it.
Thanks again