What are my consumer rights

Mickeybrad

I bought an Acer all in one desktop computer.   After 16 months of use the power button has decided to stop working so every time I press it, it will not switch on the computer and just sticks.    I still have the recipt to the computer.  So just wondering what my consumer rights are to getting it fixed.

MattMattMattUK

Mickeybrad said:

I bought an Acer all in one desktop computer.   After 16 months of use the power button has decided to stop working so every time I press it, it will not switch on the computer and just sticks.    I still have the recipt to the computer.  So just wondering what my consumer rights are to getting it fixed.

Have you contacted them, raise a query under the warranty? Where did you buy it from?

Jono111

Buy a can of switch cleaner and spray some into the sides of the switch

Neil_Jones

Mickeybrad said:

I bought an Acer all in one desktop computer.   After 16 months of use the power button has decided to stop working so every time I press it, it will not switch on the computer and just sticks.    I still have the recipt to the computer.  So just wondering what my consumer rights are to getting it fixed.

So if you press the button does the computer come on and then go off again after about 4 seconds, or does it not do anything at all?

The quickest and easiest thing to try first is some deoxidizing contact cleaner and it willl probably fix that switch right up.

If not... well depends whether you bought an extended warranty or not.  If so, claim under it (and hope it doesn't fall under wear and tear), or take it somewhere.

PHK

Your consumer rights are, as more than six months have passed since purchase you'll need to prove that the computer is inherently faulty (that means that the fault existed at the time of purchase even if it wasn't apparent because of a quality issue).

You'll probably need an independent report stating the cause is an inherent fault or defect and what that fault or defect is. The retailer can then to choose to repair or offer a partial refund taking into account the use you've had of it. 

You might well find the manufacturer or retailer guarantee is more generous than this, so speak to them first. 

M25

How much was it?

You'll need to approach the retailer and ask if they can help.

Be very clear what the problem (a short video of the problem may help) is and be very polite.

Grey_Critic

MattMattMattUK said:

Mickeybrad said:

I bought an Acer all in one desktop computer.   After 16 months of use the power button has decided to stop working so every time I press it, it will not switch on the computer and just sticks.    I still have the recipt to the computer.  So just wondering what my consumer rights are to getting it fixed.

Have you contacted them, raise a query under the warranty? Where did you buy it from?

The most sensible answer - We can discuss until the cows come home but you will still need to speak to the supplier in the end.

Alderbank

The OP's specific question asked of us was 'What are my consumer rights?'

Your consumer rights are nothing to do with any warranties and nothing to do with switch cleaner.

Your consumer rights are exclusively between you (assuming you are a consumer, ie. you didn't buy the computer wholly or mainly for work use) and the seller you bought it from.

For as long as you own it the hardware and circuitry should operate as well as would be expected of other laptops of similar age and use. If something fails and the device is more than 6 months old you might be expected to show that the failure is due to something which was faulty at the time when you bought it such as a poorly manufactured switch rather than because of damage after purchase such as using excessive force. Usually the way to show this is to pay for a report from a computer repair shop.

The consumer rights act says that the remedy is for the seller to repair or replace. If they can't do this (perhaps because the model or its components are no longer available) they must give you a refund, reduced according to the amount of use you have had.

Software faults, such as a button which stops working after an operating system update, can be much more difficult to get fixed under chapter 3 of the Act.

Although your rights are not time limited, in practice their value reduces with age and are worth very little for a laptop after about 5 years.

Grumpy_chap

Alderbank said:

Software faults, such as a button which stops working after an operating system update, 

I had understood the faulty button to be a hardware button, not a soft button.

flaneurs_lobster

Alderbank said:

The OP's specific question asked of us was 'What are my consumer rights?'
. 
. 
For as long as you own it the hardware and circuitry should operate as well as would be expected of other laptops of similar age and use.. 
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Although your rights are not time limited, in practice their value reduces with age and are worth very little for a laptop after about 5 years.

The OP's specific question related to their desktop computer but I'm sure your points are still valid. 

Ergates

Grumpy_chap said:

Alderbank said:

Software faults, such as a button which stops working after an operating system update, 

I had understood the faulty button to be a hardware button, not a soft button.

Pretty much any PC sold in the last few years would have a soft switch rather than a hard one.  (i.e. it'd send a signal to the motherboard to switch the computer on, rather than the power running through the switch).

An OS update wouldn't change that though, it'd take a BIOS update.