Returns to Amazon

Jolly_Roger

I acquired a Netgear USB wireless adaptor through Amazon over six months ago and the thing has fallen to pieces. A similar problem occured recently with a VCR which I acquired on line, but which I had to send back to the supplier for replacement after about six months. The Amazon returns policy only seems to recognise a one-month period during which they are liable to replace the item in question. I don't think this is right! Surely, my guarantee is with them, not with Netgear? If I am right, how on earth can you contact Amazon to complain? No contact email or address is given on the website for this type of thing as far as I can see.
Anybody help?

wolfman

6 months is quite a long time. I don't think you'll get anything back from Amazon, as like you said, they'll only accept liability for around a month. This is the case with most suppliers. Best to contact the manufacturer, Netgear, it should be under some form of warranty still.

blinky

Legally, the supplier is responsible for any returns or repairs within the first year, despite what anyone may tell you.

wolfman

Really? I've never known that. Where are the laws regarding this?

Most suppliers have their own return policies, which usually cover around 30 days, as after this period this is when the item starts to suffers wear and tear. As the product is 6 months old, I can't see the supplier taking liability, they'll tell you to contact the manufacturer directly (or may do so for you).

As far as I'm aware, the supplier, is merely supplying the product, it's the manufacturer who are offering the guarantee/warranty (the supplier offers a brief 30 day warranty upon purchase). If something was wrong initially, then yeah, send it back to the supplier, but as you've had it for half a year, go to the manufacturer.

criminal_smile

blinky wrote:

Legally, the supplier is responsible for any returns or repairs within the first year, despite what anyone may tell you.

Actually, under The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended), the supplier of the goods will be legally responsible for the goods for a period of up to 6 years from purchase (or the reasonable expected lifetime of the item, whichever is shorter).

wolfman wrote:

As far as I'm aware, the supplier, is merely supplying the product, it's the manufacturer who are offering the guarantee/warranty (the supplier offers a brief 30 day warranty upon purchase). If something was wrong initially, then yeah, send it back to the supplier, but as you've had it for half a year, go to the manufacturer.

True, the warranty is offered by the manufacturer, and as such any claims made under warranty should be directed to the manufacturer, not the supplier.

wolfman

criminal_smile wrote:

Actually, under The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended), the supplier of the goods will be legally responsible for the goods for a period of up to 6 years from purchase (or the reasonable expected lifetime of the item, whichever is shorter).

That's the maximum period for taking it to court, not the return period. The period at which you can return the product isn't actually stipulated, it depends upon what the product is and it's life span. Electrical items generally have a return period of around a month, maybe 3, depending upon what they are and their cost (eg Tv's are usually more).

Putting it into perspective, 6 months is quite a long time to own a router, and I'd be amazed if Amazon did allow a return.

derrick

Under the Sale of Goods Act it is the supplier of goods (the retailer) who you have the contract with and them who you should address any problems.
Under the same Act goods that break down within the first 6 months, it is up to the retailer to prove there was no fault at time of purchase and not for you to prove otherwise.
Manufacturers warranties are in addittion to statutory rights and these rights cannot be taken away.
Any supplier that says goods cannot be returned after 7/14/30 days are just trying it on as they are their terms & conditions and as said earlier these rights cannot be taken away


SEE HERE

derrick

More information

HERE

HERE

& HERE

Bossyboots

There is an e-mail address for Amazon on the website but you have to go through a maze of pages to find it. I will have a trawl and try to come back with it.

Six months use of an item that effectively just sits in a corner is not, in my opinion, an item of merchantable quality and Amazon should refund it.


Edit: I have just read their returns policy and it does not say faulty items are restricted to 30 days, it says a reasonable period of time. It suggests you might find it easier to contact the manufacturer (sometimes what appears to be a fault is easily resolved by doing this but if the OP's item is actually falling apart then that is not relevant here) but does not say you have to do so. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/1161016/ref=cs_hd_lp_1/026-8371965-4650063 There is an e-mail link on this page http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/12378301/ref=w_h__brbx_c_2_3/026-8371965-4650063

derrick

Tel numbers for Amazon

0800 2796620
0208 656539