Warranty or Con?

I bought a laptop from Dixons. I spent an extra £250 after being persuaded by the rather pretty salesgirl to lengthen the warranty time to four years with its “Whatever Happens policy”.

From day one the laptop proved troublesome so I took it back to Dixons, who didn’t fix the problem, so I had it sent to its HQ. It came back after a week, still not fixed. Within a year I had sent it back again, taken it back to the local shop and HQ and the laptop is still not working properly. However I’m now told I cannot have a replacement, until my laptop has been seen by the Dixons HQ at least four times. Is this the law?

There is much doubt about whether an extended warranty is worth paying for when consumers have statutory rights regardless, despite what are pretty salesgirl might say. Under the Sales of Goods Act you are legally entitled to a full refund or repair on any items that are not of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, or that don’t last for a “reasonable” amount of time. This applies for up to six years.

After six months the onus is on you, the consumer, to prove that your item has gone wrong through no fault of yours. A warranty removes the hassle of having to argue your case, in theory at least
You have the right to cancel your warranty up to 45 days after buying it, so if you really can’t say no to the pretty shop assistant, you can cancel it.

If you have a problem over consumer goods, talk to the experts. At Hylton-Potts we have a 24 hour free legal email service, on [email protected] or in office hours a free telephone advice service on 020 7381 8111.