How long is your
products’ warranty?
Purchasing a new appliance does not
require a great deal of effort provided you know what you fancy. Once
selected, it is as easy as swiping a credit card into a slot. It
delights our eyes to see a techno-gadget and owning it, is an
absolute treat!
Equipment is worth owning when it is
working well however if it malfunctions with a ‘no power signal’
for example, what will you do? Most people will look for a repair
shop to fix the problem and bear the cost. Or, if the product is
still under warranty they may call the retailer’s hotline number
for advice on how to obtain a repair. Both options are relatively
stress free and straight forward.
If, on the other hand, the warranty
has expired and you don’t want to pay for the cost of repair as you
have found that the fault is not caused by wear and tear, there is
still an option that will save your ass; The Independent Report is
the answer.
The
United Kingdom government’s Office of Fair Trading has created the
Consumer Direct website (consumerdirect.gov.uk). It deals with consumer
issues and offers advice about the law as it relates to consumer
protection. This agency helps prevent buyers from being hoodwinked by
the retailers and manufacturers.
The
government has deliberately created a number of protections under the
Consumer’s Act of 1979 which gives consumers legal rights when
challenging manufacturers and retailers. If, for example, the product is
out of warranty, the buyer may have statutory rights giving up to 6
years of protection as long as the fault is not due to wear-and-tear.
It
may be necessary to obtain an Independent Report. This is a written
document that serves as proof of the product’s fault and it further
explains the detailed condition of the equipment that is shrewdly
examined by the certified technician. The report will be studied by the
retailer, who will decide whether or not to carry out the repair at no
costs. Or, if the matter goes to court it would be offered as vital
evidence to support the consumer’s case. If the retailer accepts the
responsibility, it is a normal practice for all costs including the
technician’s report to be reimbursed.
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