AIBU to want more money back for dodgy tv?

[CurlyCasper]

Our Tesco Technika flat screen is failing spectacularly just 18 months after we bought it for £400. I knew we had a right to claim under the sales of good act etc. Tesco has offered to give us £160, but doesn't want the TV back.

Bearing in mind a telly should last, IMO, 5-6 years at the very least, do you think this is sufficient?

We have essentially paid 400-160 = £230 for 18 months of tv. Would you be happy if a £230 tv died after 18 months and you got no money back?

I would have divided the 400 by 72 months (six years) to get a 'one month' value, multiplied that by 18 (for the number of months we have had it) and counted that as the share we have already had

400/72 = £5.50
5.50 x 18 = £99

So I'd want the other £300 back.

Should I take the money or push for more? We have to buy a new TV either way...

[LaurieFairyCake]

Surely you are entitled to a full refund? what do Trading Standards say?

Unless they have come down in value so much you can replace it with an equivalent one for that amount ? can you?

[famishedass]

Isn't it under warranty. Surely they'll replace it.

[CurlyCasper]

famished it's outside warranty after the one year, but goods still have to be "durable" and tesco blatantly know these models have inherent faults because after speaking on the phone, I filled in a form and basis of that, and only that, I've been offered the £160.

laura fair point re coming down in value. I will check out what trading standards say.

thanks

[ninedragons]

Push for more, and email one of the consumer advocates like Anna Tims in the Guardian.

We bought a Sony three years ago and I fully expect DD to inherit it from us in 2065.

[arolf]

www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/23/tesco-consumer-guarantee

this may be of some use!

[arolf]

sorry - I should add - this story in the grauniad is of someone in exactly the same boat as you - same TV, same fault, everything - and how he took on Tesco - I think there was a follow up piece the next week, but can't find it without doing an in depth search!

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Ooh - exactly the same thing has happened to our Tesco Technika flat screen - only had the blardy thing for a year and a bit. Glad to hear they're responding in some way though, I must get on to them about ours. Did you still have the receipt?

[CurlyCasper]

profiter We will certainly be going for sony or panasonic - no worries there. I'm never touching anything technika again. It's just hard to trust any online review now, because so many appliances work like a dream in the beginning. This was a great telly - when it didn't keep switching itself off/crackling/failing to turn on ....

Just off phone from Consumer Direct (trading standards) and they said the same as ninedragons - push for more. They probably offer an initial sum to make you go away. But not me! I am now writing a lovely polite letter... If that fails, they said to call back and then we can get Trading Standards on the case.

Thanks for the linke arolf I had seen this when arming myself with the SOGA legislation before calling in the first place.

Steamed I did have the receipt in it's blue and red "electrical items" jacket. There is a number on there. We called them, explained the fault and they sent the form, which I filled in to get this far. They must be packing in all over the shop, cause they don't seem to have blinked before making the first offer. But I will fight for more.

[CurlyCasper]

Mine has an "off" on the side but I have heard complaints of many modern tellys that don't do anything other than stand-by.

I have to say that everything gets switched off at the wall in our house because of fire risk - DH is a fireman, so I always have the safety police on hand!

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Hmm, no receipt here, it was a bit cheaper than yours and we just picked it off the shelf with the rest of the groceries!

Still going to give it a try though, we still have the box at least which I think was produced specifically for Tesco so we can at least prove where we bought it, if we have to...

[CurlyCasper]

If you bought on credit card you have more rights like this - and the record of the transaction is like a receipt.

When you put electrical items through the checkout at tesco, you usually get your main receipt (the huge list in my case) and another one with a bar code which is proof of purchase.

details of the electrical helpline are here Do not take it back to the shop - you'll just get sent away to call the number!

[CurlyCasper]

What they have told you is utter B**cks and unfortuntely you know it. An item must have a reasonable life span.

Did you pay by credit card? Cause you can try to get compo from the card company too. I know you are sorted, but it's the principal of the thing!

You do not need an extended warranty to have rights when it comes to a TV giving up so soon, when all you have done is watch it. That's hardly misuse! (they'll be saying it is next. "what do you mean you turned it on, didn't you know you're just supposed to admire its black, sleek beauty?!")

Sorry to hear you had a bad outcome

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Thanks Curly, will give that number a try when I have a spare minute. Can't remember if I paid by credit card, have a feeling I just shoved it on my debit card... hmm. Will update and let you know how I get on!

[CurlyCasper]

Yup - there is a new Euro law. I think in my case, thankfully, the store is recognising its duties under SOGA etc. It's now just one of those debates about what amounts to a 'reasonable' level of compensation/refund. By offering the first cheque they've accepted liability

off now - have house guests to prep for!

[CurlyCasper]

oops cross post - good luck Steamed