MacBook Purchased new at Argos but 2nd hand, now £750 fault

allyjones

So I purchased from an Argos store in Feb 23 a MacBook Pro M1 2021 16BG 512GB for £1749 (still have receipt with date).

I switched it on in Feb 23, set up Apple iCloud etc, used it 2-3 times for an hour or so … then put it back in its packaging and box on my shelf. Used it once / twice September 23 and didn’t use again till 5 days ago when I turned it on, updated all the update and charged it up.

I used it for about 6 hours 5 days ago then shut it down for the evening .

Next day switched it on and nothing, it’s bricked. 

Took it to Apple Store Genius Bar who said the logic board is broken and costs £740 to fix (this is after 12 hours in total of using it over 18 months). 

However when in the Apple Store they told me my MacBook had been sold and registered as new and bought in September 2022 and that’s when the warranty started. 

It looks like Argos sold me a default returned MacBook in Feb 23. 

Apple wrote on my emailed report it was registered with them Sept 22 and my receipt says Feb 23. They’ve also said no signs of damage or marks and keys working. 

As it sat boxed on my shelf for 18 months, Apple have said it’s out of warranty and told me to go to Argos under consumer law for selling me a defaulted MacBook. 

Apple have given me email proof it was registered for warranty September 22 and I have a receipt saying I bought on my credit card Feb 23. 

Can anyone give any advice on what to do next please as I believe I’ve bought a faulty product (due to someone else registering it 6 months me buying from Argos) but it’s been 18 months since I bought it. 

Thank you 

*im in Wales if that matters 

StevieB99

Was the box Macbook box sealed when you bought it?

Alderbank

allyjones said:

 Apple have said it’s out of warranty and told me to go to Argos under consumer law for selling me a defaulted MacBook. 

Can anyone give any advice on what to do next please?

Apple were correct when they told you to go to Argos. Your consumer rights are with the seller, Argos. You have no consumer rights with Apple because you have no contract with them.

Argos do sell some used items. These are items which were previously sold then returned for some reason. Can you confirm that your Macbook was new when you bought it and not described as refurbished or similar?

When you go back to Argos point out the discrepancy between your purchase date and the registration date with the manufacturer.
Hopefully they will resolve the issue at that point. If they don't, please come back and tell us what they said.

allyjones

Alderbank said:

allyjones said:

 Apple have said it’s out of warranty and told me to go to Argos under consumer law for selling me a defaulted MacBook. 

Can anyone give any advice on what to do next please?

Apple were correct when they told you to go to Argos. Your consumer rights are with the seller, Argos. You have no consumer rights with Apple because you have no contract with them.

Argos do sell some used items. These are items which were previously sold then returned for some reason. Can you confirm that your Macbook was new when you bought it and not described as refurbished or similar?

When you go back to Argos point out the discrepancy between your purchase date and the registration date with the manufacturer.
Hopefully they will resolve the issue at that point. If they don't, please come back and tell us what they said.

I can confirm I bought new from Argos. It was stated New not used and the price reflected brand new compared to other providers like Amazon or the Apple Store.

I physically went into a store that had them in stock, and had them hand it over to me. It was given in a brown box (which I still have) and the MacBook packaging and MacBook was inside it. 

I can’t remember if there was any clear film sealing the MacBook white box though. 

I’ve been told by Apple to go through Argos online, but I don’t know if that means by email, through their chat bot customer service or some other way.

luckily Apple have sent a report to me from todays appointment at the Apple Store stating the date discrepancies so hopefully I can get a replacement or refund for example. 

I’ll come back and report what Argos said 

The man at Apple also said don’t take Argos’ first response (if they say no), he said appeal it and try again.

allyjones

StevieB99 said:

Was the box Macbook box sealed when you bought it?

I honestly can’t remember. It was in a big brown box that was sealed (still have the box) and the MacBook in its white box was inside that 

gelato_cat

allyjones said:

So I purchased from an Argos store in Feb 23 a MacBook Pro M1 2021 16BG 512GB for £1749 (still have receipt with date).

I switched it on in Feb 23, set up Apple iCloud etc, used it 2-3 times for an hour or so … then put it back in its packaging and box on my shelf. Used it once / twice September 23 and didn’t use again till 5 days ago when I turned it on, updated all the update and charged it up.

I used it for about 6 hours 5 days ago then shut it down for the evening .

Next day switched it on and nothing, it’s bricked. 

Took it to Apple Store Genius Bar who said the logic board is broken and costs £740 to fix (this is after 12 hours in total of using it over 18 months). 

However when in the Apple Store they told me my MacBook had been sold and registered as new and bought in September 2022 and that’s when the warranty started. 

It looks like Argos sold me a default returned MacBook in Feb 23. 

Apple wrote on my emailed report it was registered with them Sept 22 and my receipt says Feb 23. They’ve also said no signs of damage or marks and keys working. 

As it sat boxed on my shelf for 18 months, Apple have said it’s out of warranty and told me to go to Argos under consumer law for selling me a defaulted MacBook. 

Apple have given me email proof it was registered for warranty September 22 and I have a receipt saying I bought on my credit card Feb 23. 

Can anyone give any advice on what to do next please as I believe I’ve bought a faulty product (due to someone else registering it 6 months me buying from Argos) but it’s been 18 months since I bought it. 

Thank you 

*im in Wales if that matters 

In your position, I think I'd write Argos a letter saying essentially what you've said here, and make sure you state to them how you want them to put this right. Eg do you want a refund, a brand new replacement etc.

Include photocopies of the relevant evidence Apple gave you, and the receipt you got from Argos when you bought the laptop. Keep the originals.

Send the letter using a method that means you have proof of receipt.

allyjones

I’m just wondering if it’s advisable to make certain quotes when contacting Argos so they know I know about Consumer law and my rights ? 

If it’s advisable would anyone have a template letter for example or which specific quotes should get mentioned.

thank you 

LightFlare

I’m not convinced Argos have to do anything after 18 months

Unless you can prove the goods were faulty at the time of purchase (you can’t) then this will come under “stuff breaks”

If Apple offer a warranty of any kind, you wouldn’t be able to utilise that since you didn’t register it at time of purchase - plus you would at that time have discovered the laptops history

- if you’ve only used it for 12 hours in 18 months you probably won't miss it anyway. £1800 for 12hrs over 18months is t very MSE if you are considering replacement- look for cheaper alternatives 

allyjones

LightFlare said:

I’m not convinced Argos have to do anything after 18 months

Unless you can prove the goods were faulty at the time of purchase (you can’t) then this will come under “stuff breaks”

If Apple offer a warranty of any kind, you wouldn’t be able to utilise that since you didn’t register it at time of purchase - plus you would at that time have discovered the laptops history

- if you’ve only used it for 12 hours in 18 months you probably won't miss it anyway. £1800 for 12hrs over 18months is t very MSE if you are considering replacement- look for cheaper alternatives 

Due to work I’m now doing, that’s why I’d now need this specific MacBook with these specs (16GB 512GB) so I now need a MacBook and would miss it. 

It’s the fact Argos have sold me a 2nd hand MacBook for a lot of money that they sold to me as brand new, which I’ve got proof of from Apple. 

sammyjammy

I am confused by your comment that it said - NEW - not used, this does imply you've bought a product previously sold, new products from Argos would not be sold with that wording.

If it had been returned "unused" by someone the price you paid wouldn't be much lower than the full new selling price for Argos.

The_Unready

sammyjammy said:

I am confused by your comment that it said - NEW - not used, this does imply you've bought a product previously sold, new products from Argos would not be sold with that wording.

If it had been returned "unused" by someone the price you paid wouldn't be much lower than the full new selling price for Argos.

I read that as the Op saying he bought it marked as 'New', ie not used, rather than 'New - not used'