warranty and repairs.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

we bought a portable dvd player from currys for our son for xmas,tried it out before wrapping it dident work,no picture on screen,took it back,manager said a stick on seal had been removed,therefore warranty was invalid,we never touched any seal,tampered with it whatsoever.where do i stand.it cost over �200. i cant believe i dont have any rights.

[campbellking]

Norman. Goods sold must be fit for purpose, and the manager's trying it on. Go through local trading standards, or threaten him with small claims court

[maximo]

I agree. I don't know much about warranty regulations, but how on earth are you supposed to know if an item works or not if you don't open the box and try it ? If you are within 30 day of purchase, I believe you are within your rights to bring it back to the shop and ask for a replacement. If this fails, then get in touch with the manufacturer. The manufacturer's warranty is generally one year. They will either send it for repair, or give you a replacement. But I think the shop really should take responsability there. Do as Campbellking suggested !

[NORMANTHEDOG]

but the warranty seal was removed,he showed me it on another dvd.but we dident remove it,if it had one

[Buenchico]

The removal of a seal might invalidate a manufacturer's warranty but (unless a retailer goes bust) such warranties are completely pointless anyway. Any items you purchase from a retailer must be 'of satisfactory quality' and free of 'inherent faults'. If something goes wrong, the retailer must put it right (which is why you don't need a manufacturer's warranty). The removal (or absence) of a seal cannot remove your statutory rights.

In most circumstances, when a claim is made against a retailer, the trader can choose whether to repair the product or provide a replacement. In your case though, you discovered the fault soon after purchase and, therefore, you never legally 'accepted' the goods. This means that the retailer has to provide a full refund. (You can choose to accept a replacement product instead but you are not obliged to do so).

The Department of Trade & Industry website provides more information:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/salegoodsact.htm

If quoting the relevant legislation doesn't get you anywhere, you should contact the Trading Standards department for the area where the store is located. (If this is outside of a metropolitan area it will be part of the county council rather than the district council).

You can also contact the government's new Consumer Direct service:
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

A quicker way to sort out your type of problem, however, is often to involve the local press or BBC radio station. (It's amazing how quickly some problems get solved when a store manager is worried about having to explain some bad publicity to his bosses!).

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[stanleyman]

Can he prove it had a sticker, not that it matters? If he won't budge ask him for the number of head office and ask to phone them there and then. Tell them your problem and ask for your money back, it's not fit for purpose. Mention that there are a lot of people on a website interested in the outcome. Get the names of people you talk to for if you have to go to court.

[Thewiseman]

Not entirely sure what seal he is referring to but if you purchase a product from Currys and it is faulty you are entitled to a 100% refund or a replacement product if returned within 28 days. Call Customer Services or alternatively take it back to another branch of Currys where the manager may be more considerate.