Retailer Refuses Hardware Repair Due To Linux 1018
Tikka writes "Today I visited PC World (London, UK) because my 5-month-old laptop has developed a manufacturing fault: the hinge to the display has started to crack the plastic casing. Anyone in the know will know that this is due to the joint inside, and it means that in time the screen will separate from the keyboard. Repair was refused, because I have Gentoo Linux on my laptop, replacing the Windows Vista that was pre-installed. PC World said that installing Linux had voided my warranty and there is nothing they will do for me. I spoke to a manager, who said that he has been told to refuse any repairs if the operating system has been changed. I feel this has really gone against my statutory rights and I will do everything I can to fight it. I will review comments for your advice."
ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Are you absolutely sure Linux did not cause that crack to form? Think about it, the laptop was rated obviously Vista® capable... did you see anything on the case to indicate Linux capable?
I think the best thing to do would be to publish as broadly as you can the make and model of this laptop and its shortcomings, better to serve others to avoid this vendor.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
This is because the resulting binaries run so fast that the CPU melts too rapidly for any gas to escape, and then, BAM: yo' junk goes down faster than a Britney Spears/Michael Jackson revival duet, replete with wardrobe malfunctions.
OK, it's late, and even I didn't need that imagery.
So spare yourself the imagery and keep them make options real out there, rokay?
Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Insightful)
On cars, the computers keep the engines from over reving or running on too rich a mixture, both of which can damage the hardware. If you mod the software in your engine's computers you void the warrantee.
These days CPUs control the heat and power management in a computer. They control many other hardware issues. For example I had a computer one time that would constantly go to sleep and wake up every 30 seconds. The hard disk was spun up and down every 30 seconds, the power supply shut on and off every 30 seconds and it would do this all night long every night. I never noticed that during the day of course cause it was awake. It ate several hard drives, a fan, and a motherboard. It may or may not have been a software problem-- more likely the PMMU--but something like that could be in the software. Likewise the fan speed is software controlled. Sometimes voltages are too.
While Linux is not designed to destroy a computer, one can't expect every manufacturer to be aware of every flavor of linux or to know if it has the proper drivers and regulations. Someone who runs gentoo is exactly the kind of tweaker who might just try to disable thermal performance limiters.
I dont' see why they can't limit the OS of the computer to certain specifications that they will warantee.
Of course this has nothing to do with the specific problem--the screen crack. But stores to stay in bussinesses have to have policies that are simple and clear. If the manager is not authorized to make exceptions--and he's probably not qualified to do so-- then it's your tough luck perhaps. It's what comes of shopping at a discount store I think. Big corporate policies and limiting customers.
One reason I swithched to macs is that there's only one company to deal with. the store, the maker, and software and the service department are the same company. There's no arguments they can make about whose responsible and they don't make you talk to bangalore to get help.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Informative)
This has nothing to do with what OS is installed on the system, or they can prove that installing the OS damaged the screen joint.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Insightful)
The distinction is that problems that are demonstrably due to hardware failures are not caused by the software. Whilst PC World might have a legitimate case in refusing software support for software they didn't supply, it is not legitimate for them to use this to support a different area of failure. Whilst car analogies are not useful for arguing on
In pursuing this legally, the submitter should cling to and hammer home this point at every stage, because it is the crux of the issue and it is what needs to be made clear to any magistrate. I wish him or her luck and encourage them not to drop the case, but to take satisfaction in every second that he forces PC World to devote to dealing with him. He can also take satisfaction in the amount of international negative publicity he's just brought down upon them. Here's a good reason for people to shop elsewhere.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Insightful)
IANAL but I worked for many years for a very large retailer, where I provided the technology support to the legal staff both for their projects and when reviewing software and hardware contracts with terminology that needed explanation.
Before posting the Brand and Model of the computer, since you are not saying the manufacturer refused to fix it, but a retailer, you may actually want to contact the manufacturer.
First step is to go back to PC World and ask for a copy of the warranty information where it expressly states that because the original software on the machine was replaced they will not repair a hardware problem. If they don't have warranty details, request the manager put his interpretation in writing.
Next, contact the manufacturer directly, supply the copy of the warranty details, if you received any. If the shop refused to give you any details, spell that out. Consider providing a photo of the physical issue. Send the request for clarification to the manufacturer's legal and/or consumer relations departments. Might consider sending to PC Worlds consumer relations and/or legal departments as well asking for clarification
If the manufacturer helps or doesn't help, then publicize that fact. Give them a chance to remedy the situation, but be sure to give them acknowledgment if they do help.
Don't call them out before they've had a chance to review the situation. They can put a lot more pressure on the retailer than you can.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Informative)
Section 14(2) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 imposes a statutory implied warranty that goods sold in the course of a business are of 'satisfactory quality'. This expressly includes issues of durability. Section 6 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act states that when dealing with a consumer, liability arising from a breach of the s. 14 implied warranty cannot be excluded or restricted by reference to any contract term.
Re:Small claims procedure (Score:5, Informative)
They also know that 99% of customers do not know their rights under the sale of goods act and of the 1% that do half of those won't push it if they stonewall enough.
Favourite common - completely bogus - getout lines are:
"You have to contact the manufacturer" (It's up to the retailer to fix it)
"We don't accept returns on this item" (They must. It's the law)
"We only give a 14 day warranty" (You get 6 months for replacement/refund and retailer is liable for repairs for 6 years.
"Replacement only on production of a valid receipt" (It's illegal to demand this.)
"No refunds" (They *must* give refunds where applicable. Not credit notes or anything else).
Read http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html [dti.gov.uk] and memorise the major points.
Trading standards will usually kick them hard enough (they have the power to shut down the store, and do so in some cases) - but if they don't help then small claims are good for up to £5000. The store will lose (they always lose provided you're being reasonable) and will end up paying all the costs.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Insightful)
No no! The moral of the story is, don't buy anything from PC World full stop!
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:4, Insightful)
As it happened the laptop keyboard developed a fault that required it's replacement. Before even calling for service I replaced the original hard drive, just in case I needed to send the laptop back to Acer for service. Fortunately, the keyboard is a user-replaceable item, and they were able to just send me a new one. But had I needed to return it, Acer would have been none the wiser. Not only is the hard drive easily accessible, but there is no "warranty sticker" across the hard drive slot that would indicate to them that I had even touched it.
Unless you are buying a "direct from the manufacturer" laptop (such as a Dell or Lenovo) and are planning on replacing the stock OS, I always recommend replacing the hard drive and carefully storing the original. This way you will NEVER run into the issue the submitter did.
Re:Setting aside the humor, do they have a point? (Score:5, Informative)
A good start is www.citizensadvice.org.uk . They'll probably help him first writing a letter that PCWorld _will_ react to; if that doesn't help, then the small claims court will. At least if the story happened as it was told; if you install Linux, drop your laptop, and then the screen is broken, the manufacturer may very well be in the clear.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
[OK, how do I get my "<shock>" to appear *and* the line breaks too (but without <br/> appearing too)? Am I really supposed to replace my '<' with '& lt;' etc? Why isn't "Plain Old Text" what
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Informative)
He should have an OEM CD, though, and can just wipe and re-install. I've had to do this when my current laptop had (hardware-related) problems, and it's pretty standard practice in the linux-laptop world. It sucks, but there's nothing you can do.
However, for anyone about to do this, do consider using something like Mondo to backup your PC (and don't forget to verify the backups!!) That way, restoring your system *after* repair is as easy as shoving the disc in and playing tetris for a few hours
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
2) hit it repeatedly on the table until hard disk fails to boot
3) return entire device to store
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
0) BACKUP YOUR DATA
1) remove hard disk
2) hit it repeatedly on the table until hard disk fails to boot
3) return entire device to store
Do you really want to be redownloading your favourite pr0n? Didn't think so. Remember always backup your data before smashing up your hard drive.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
IRC guy jumps up and screams YOU BASTARD YOU RUINED MY DISK. Took him a while to calm down and understand his beard was pulled
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Interesting)
Possible scenario: the sleep function didn't work under Linux, so he just left the lid closed with the laptop running. The excess heat, over the course of many (5) months, weakened the plastic case, causing it to crack. So actually, Linux is to blame.
I am completely serious. This is totally plausible.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Informative)
A laptop should still cool properly with the lid closed.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
In theory, this mode of failure should be still under warranty because on a docking station a laptop operates at full blast (no power savings) and with the lid closed.
None of them has proper cooling in this mode. Most dissipate a significant proportion of the heat through the keyboard. I have seen Sony keyboards being literally fried by the heat from working on a docking station. So nowdays if I get a docking station from IT my first reaction is to dispose of it and replace it with a Fellowes stand so I can reuse the laptop LCD as a monitor as well.
The only way to deal with UK retailers like this is - you pull a recorder on the table and ask for the statement to be recorded for "Trading Standards purposes". No threats, not screams, no arguments. This is enough to get them into sane mode. Same for phone calls and similar for email. While I have not had that with PC World I have had similar dealings with Misco and others and the magic TS words usually works.
Overall, while IMO the laptop should be warrantied against such failure, specifically in the Linux case the warranty may indeed be void. The reason is that the power management on Linux by default has no thermal feedback. On Centrino derived laptops under Winhoze it does and it will throttle the CPU frequency if the laptop is overly hot (even if you turn the power savings off). I do not see it damaging the case though, it will most likely fry the keyboard membrane.
Trading standards (Score:5, Informative)
Complain in writing, keeping copies of all correspondence. And complain quickly: for the first six months, the retailer has to prove it wasn't their fault.
Citizens' Advice Bureaux may also help.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:4, Interesting)
Personally I see this as a purely hardware issue. I'm still trying to work out exactly why the laptop was turned on in the first place or how they even found out Gentoo had gotten on there.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Informative)
I have no idea if the new Lenovo ones are as rugged, but
Cheers
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Interesting)
Their carbon fiber reinforced plastic cases are tough as hell, active protection system and motherboard roll cage seems to keep them ticking long after most cheep plastic machines kicking arround today would be in peices imo
This lenovo blog article should interest you ThinkPads are Ruggedized Machines [lenovoblogs.com] :o)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Interesting)
So I can only assume you are being completely serious in ignorance.
Being in the UK there is bound to be a consumer affairs department to which the complaint can be forwarded, for remedial action, I know of the ones for South Australia and for Australia. These government departments are very useful as they will handle any prosecution, so not only will your laptop likely be repaired, but other people in similar situation could also get legal rectification and very likely the retailer could get stuck with penalties well in excess of the cost of repairs.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The Linux installation definitely broke the laptop (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Their website... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Their website... (Score:5, Funny)
You have much to learn about slashdotting young grasshopper
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Common newbie mistake.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Right next to the Intel Inside stickers.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
It's kind of like writing to McDonald's customer service department and telling them they are getting a bad reputation amongst the Michelin Guide people: they'll wonder what on earth tires have to do with anything.
You have far worse problems... (Score:5, Informative)
Hi, just so you know, your problems with getting your laptop repaired are probably worse than you envisioned.
Please, DONT take any of this personally against YOU... it isnt. It's just what you will experience and why...
Here's why your problems may be worse:
The manufacturer's warranties do not cover broken plastics or hinges. If *you* think it is a manufacturing defect, that is usually quite irrelevant to the manufacturer (who is the one who needs to approve the in-warranty repair - and will NOT send the hinges or plastics to the repair center). (See note at bottom)
Now, I am NOT disputing that this may be a manufacturing defect - I'm advising you (from years worth of experience) what additional problems you will run into.
IF your machine is NOT an HP or Compaq, you can remove the drive and bring it someplace else for repair - explaining to them that you dont want to risk your data being lost/drive being formatted (which the vendors often do), and NOT mention Linux at all.
IF your machine IS an HP or Compaq, then you can TRY that method, BUT, HP/Compaq require service centers do a FULL diagnostic of the machine for ANY warranty work - which presents a problem if the drive is not installed. Sometimes, you will find a sympathetic service center manager who will take the machine in anyway and fudge the diag results, and send the machine to HP/Compaq with a note saying that the service center has the drive and all diags passed.
I truly think your battle will be related to the fact that plastics and hinges are not covered under warranty though. The way to TRY to combat that issue is to have documented proof that others with the SAME model are also experiencing such problems (hinge issues rarely occur to just one machine... the batch off that same assembly line will show such problems). If you can find sufficient proof that others with the same model have the same problem, then the service center manager can fight the manufacturer to try to get the plastics and hinges (which are quite expensive).
When you bring the machine back in, please keep in mind that the decision to repair the hinges and plastics is NOT up to the Service Center Manager - he does not approve the parts shipment - or the shipment of your machine to the manufacturer - the MANUFACTURER does... so be patient, and don't go off on him because the manufacturer says no - and give him as much info as you can find to help him fight their decision - BECAUSE, their decision is NO (and told to the service center managers long before you ever brought your machine in), and that NO stands except in two cases... (1) a service center manager that you have not pissed off to the point he wont fight it and/or have helped give enough proof it IS a defect, and (2) a class action lawsuit (or threat thereof) that forces a manufacturer to take the blame for it.
Keep in mind, until #2 occurs, you and the manufacturer are bound by that warranty - which states no plastics, no hinges covered - UNLESS the manufacturer is convinced it is a defect - which they won't be just because you think it is (no matter how right you are).
Robert
Former Tech Manager
CompUSA
Not in UK: "not of merchantable quality" (Score:5, Insightful)
The laptop is classified as "electrical goods" and it's actually so that legally he may have more rights than the warranty allows (and that he knows of). The law in the UK knows something called "mechantable quality" (based on reasonable product life expectancy) - if I buy a washing machine and it fails in 18 months while I have a warranty for 12 the retailer will STILL be required to repair the thing (not replace, though).
As batteries only have a life expectancy of about 1 year you won't be able to use that for battery problems, but a laptop can reasonably be expected to function more than 2 years and can otherwise be deemed "not of mechantable quality", the retail of such goods breaks the UK sales of goods act (AFAIK, IANAL and it's been a while since I had to throw bricks like this around
Few consumers know just how many rights they have, and the lack of decent enforcement has created a retailer culture of "getting away with it". Knowledge is a fine thing
Re:You have far worse problems... (Score:5, Informative)
There is just one problem with that.
Here in Europe, the government has found that too many shops hide behind excuses like this.
So, first of all, you have a contract with the shop who sold you the item, not with some manufacturer in China. If the shop sends it back to the manufacturer, fine. But if the manufacturer thinks it's not covered, the shop needs to cover warranty issues anyway. Not that they don't often try to hide bihind this, but legally, they shouldn't.
Secondly, you may expect items you buy to have a "nominal lifetime". For things like fridges you should expect it to last at least 10 years. If it breaks after 8, you share the repair costs with the shop 80/20. After a while though, you have to PROVE it was a hidden defect all along, and not something caused by normal use.
In the first year however, warranty says that it IS a hidden defect, unless the shop proves otherwise. So when they come up with a video showing you dropping the laptop, you're out of luck.
Oh... By the way, I boot Knoppix on my new laptop,
gzip
so that in case of this kind of trouble, I can repeat it with "hda-linux.gz" as the destination, restore the vista partition, and even claim I started working with it yesterday....
Re:You have far worse problems... (Score:5, Informative)
Check out this article, advising you how to get PC World to repair broken stuff.
http://www.boingboing.net/2005/09/21/howto-get-your-fault.html [boingboing.net]
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
Some day, somebody is going to have to explain to me just what being gay has to do with not supporting software.
Is this some flavour of "pride" that I just hadn't heard of before?
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
All the best drivers are made by heterosexual cross-dressers. Post-op transsexuals are gods at compression utilities, while operating systems are best written by eunuchs.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Insightful)
Or to use an older (19th century) derogatory slang in the same vein, they jewed him.
What do you think Walpurgiss, perhaps it was a little Negro of them?
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Informative)
But don't blame the retailer (in spite of the suckage) because the manufacturer is the one that screwed you. The retailer just was unfortunate enough to be the messenger.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:4, Informative)
So I would present my warranty agreement, and ask to see exactly where it says that I'm not covered. Sometimes a support policy is based on a misinterpretation of when an exclusion applies, or once a policy is in place it can start to be applied inappropriately as an excuse for not fixing things.
Re:ahem.... are you sure? (Score:5, Funny)
install windows (Score:5, Informative)
Re:install windows (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:install windows (Score:5, Funny)
Re:install windows (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
What for? Back up your data (4 GB usbsticks are about $60 right now if you watch the sales), do a OEM fresh install, bring it in to whatever idiotshop there is locally and tell them that a fresh install of windows from the OEM disks didn't fix the cracks in the casing. *sarcastic grin*
If that fails, beat them over the head with it. Or just plain don't worry about it. (I have two laptops, both with various physical defects that don't detract from the usability. One of them is held together by
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
If that fails, beat them over the head with it. Or just plain don't worry about it. (I have two laptops, both with various physical defects that don't detract from the usability. One of them is held together by
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Well duh. (Score:5, Funny)
Gentoo? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Gentoo? (Score:5, Funny)
UK consumer protection laws (Score:3, Interesting)
For those of us on the new side of the pond, it will be interesting to see how UK consumer protection laws compare with US consumer protection laws (such as they are). In the US, the consumer would have several options, including consulting the Better Business Bureau and also with the various state Attorneys General offices. Good luck!
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Also the Federal Trade Commission.
The company's refusal to fix a mechanical flaw totally unrelated to the software violates the "implied warranty of serviceability and fitness". That's a BIG no-no.
Re:UK consumer protection laws (Score:5, Informative)
In the UK, new goods sold from a shop to a private customer must be fit for purpose. This is a statutory obligation, and the related consumer rights cannot be waived regardless of anything the shop says. Those rights derive primarily from the Sale of Goods Act. The law provides for various replace/refund possibilities, depending on what is reasonable given the nature of the problem and how long it has been since the item was bought.
Protection can last for several years if this is the normal expected lifespan of the item purchased, but the law isn't stupid: you probably aren't entitled to a full refund if your device that should last at least six years fails after only five, for example, though you might find you're entitled to a contribution towards repair or replacement.
For recently purchased items, shops might like to offer you gift vouchers or something rather than a refund, but they'll be out of luck if they try to make it stick and you fight them. Most managers know this, and will back down when confronted. They know they will likely lose a case in the small claims court, and incur costs (we have a loser pays legal system) and damage to their store's reputation as well as having to pay up in the end anyway.
There are additional legal remedies connected with various specific circumstances, such as the Distance Selling Regulations, but these don't seem to apply in this case.
If I were the guy who'd been screwed here, I would first return to the shop, ask politely to speak to the manager, inform him that I didn't find his staff's behaviour reasonable, and ask for what I believed that I was reasonably entitled to under the consumer protection legislation. If that didn't work, I'd consult my local Trading Standards folks, who are generally knowledgeable, helpful, quick to answer questions and on the consumer's side. Then I'd probably do whatever they suggested was best in the circumstances, which might mean anything from sending a registered letter of complaint to the business's head office to filing against them in the small claims court (which can actually be done on-line quite efficiently these days).
Insert standard disclaimers here: I'm not a lawyer, this isn't legal advice, and if you follow any advice you find on Slashdot without checking it for yourself then you deserve whatever comes of it. If you want real legal advice, speak to a lawyer, or at least your local Trading Standards, Citizens Advice Bureau or similar reputable organisation.
Contact your local trading standards office (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Contact your local trading standards office (Score:4, Funny)
Did Maggie allow them poppadoms as well?
Would it have been any better if they'd been forced to buy Kebabs?
Sorry, Dave Lister moment there...
warranty document (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:warranty document (Score:5, Informative)
They probably don't have a leg to stand on anyway. Unfair terms in a warranty are void under English law, and it's hard to see how a term in a warranty pertaining to software could have any fair bearing on design flaws.
To the OP: a good first stop is www.consumerdirect.gov.uk [consumerdirect.gov.uk], a site run by the Office of Fair Trading that offers advice to "consumers". Their advice is extremely vague, but you can contact them with the details of your situation. But an encouraging word from this page [consumerdirect.gov.uk]:
Exclusion clauses
Some traders might try to escape their responsibilities under contracts by using exclusion clauses, for instance by saying that they accept no liability for loss or damage. If an exclusion clause is unfair it is legally void and cannot be used against you.
Generally, only a court can decide if a contract term is unfair. But any exclusion of liability, whether in a contract term or on a notice, is always void if it is used for the purpose of evading liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. Also, a trader selling goods cannot exclude liability for a breach of your statutory rights - for instance by displaying a sign saying: 'no refunds given.' An attempt to do this is an offence.
Similar statements about services - for example: 'no responsibility for loss or damage to garments, however caused' on the back of a dry cleaning ticket - are not illegal. But such terms are not enforceable if a court finds them unfair.
There's another line saying they have "more information about Unfair terms in contracts", but the link doesn't work. Like I said, it's vague. I could wish for your sake that UK law had something half as useful as exists in my country. Cold comfort, I fear.
The operating system does not matter (Score:5, Interesting)
kdawson Magnet Thread Here (Score:5, Funny)
<voice=Shatner>KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKDAWSON!!!</voice>
Easy to fix (Score:5, Funny)
Bollocks. (Score:3, Funny)
# USE="hardened" emerge gfx-hardware/display-hinge
He didn't emerge it with the hardened flag the first time, which is why it broke. Duh.
In the US, your warranty would be valid (Score:5, Informative)
Remove the HDD (Score:5, Informative)
Sale of Goods Act 1979 (Score:5, Informative)
If PC World still refuse [and they probably will] then take them to the small claims court. As long as you have documentation, letters, dates and can prove that you have given them ample opportunity to resolve the matter there is a good chance the Judge will rule in your favour. Collecting your money after that can be a bit of a pain, but you will get it - they are not a 2bit operation after all.
See this link [dti.gov.uk] to the DTI, especially Q3 and Q10. Be polite but stick to your guns.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The parent post is almost exactly what I was going to say, but here are a few things I'd like to add:
If you want better advice on your legal rights talk to the Citizen's Advice Bureau and read a consumer law book rather than relying on /. It is probably not worth getting a lawyer for something minor like this, though, unless you have money to burn.
Before looking at the small claims court or sending lots of letters, I would first talk to Trading Standards and see if they are willing to go round to the sho
Management is right (Score:5, Funny)
Lunix machine failure (Score:5, Interesting)
Warranty Act (Score:3, Informative)
Don't listen to the constant FUD that modding anything you buy voids the warranty. It doesn't. Manufacturers can say that it does, but it's a lie.
This Calls For Thoroughly Childish Retaliation (Score:5, Funny)
Check back later to see if they really figured it out.
(Remember kids,recycling old live distro disks is fun when the jokes on them.I like to recycle at *est *uy because they really go into convulsions)
Obviously Linux cause this (Score:4, Funny)
I worked for Currys.. (Score:5, Insightful)
I installed on a different HDD (Score:5, Insightful)
PC World (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Seriously... wtf? (Score:5, Informative)
It's happened to me before... (Score:5, Informative)
I assume the tech was simply lazy and was looking for a way out. Had to be pretty lazy to not want to fill out a simple form. He also could've been extremely stupid. But in any case, it's not unheard of, even from a company supposedly known for customer service like Apple.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Seriously... wtf? (Score:4, Funny)
Seriously though, call the manufacturer, they should be able to help you.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:sigh (Score:5, Informative)
Stop asking Slashdot and start talking to lawyers when you have this kind of problem and think that your "statutory rights" have been violated. Slashdot is almost guaranteed to be the worst place to get advice on anything other than technology and technology careers. Up next: "Ask Slashdot: My left labium is swollen, do I have the clap?"
Re:sigh (Score:4, Insightful)
If no such advice comes up (such as "read the 'Warrenty and repairs act of 1999'" or something akin) then go and talk to your lawyer. If that advice does show, he can walk back into the shop and say "According to the warrenty and repairs act of 1999 you are olbiged to fix this problem, or risk a lawsuit and possible termination of your right to sell future products". Apparently (I'm not in the UK) this is a large chain of stores, but the owner might just be a fanchisee. In that case, he can't afford to have the bad publicity of a lawsuit compared to the mere fixing of a hinge.
I would be very suprised if there isn't a law in place in the UK (I am fairly sure that this wouldn't legally happen is Australia) to protect the consumer against this.
Re:sigh (Score:5, Insightful)
I see no reason why normal people can't give each other advice that has to do with legal issues, even if the advice sometimes turns out to be "talk to a lawyer" (which, in this case, I think is an option, but certainly not a requirement). You really think every consumer complaint has to be handled by a "professional"?
For that matter, what if I have a squeaky door, can I just ask my handy friend for advice or do I have to hire a certified carpenter? Is there something so special about legal issues that a regular person can't do anything whatsoever, even on the simplest situaton, on their own?
Your attitude tends to either come from 1) people who want to keep everyone in the dark so as to protect their revenue stream or 2) gullible people who are fooled by people in category 1.
Re:File a complaint (Score:5, Informative)
They dont care about bad publicity that much because they drawf other retailers for electronics/PCs over here. Most people in the UK dont even realise that PC World, Dixons, Currys, Comet (and a few of the big mobile phone chains too) are all the same company.
You can try mentioning the Sales of Goods Act but I doubt it will help much. Their staff mostly works on comissions and are largely just walking salesmen that know nothing about what they sell unless its on the price/info little card next to the PC.
They threw me out of the local store once when I told someone about to buy some ram that they were charging 150% more than the PC shop 400 yards away.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
It's pretty, but it makes my laptop a campfire atop my nuts.