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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should Argos give me a better laptop?

63 replies

MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:22

I’m really not sure if IABU. I bought an Acer Aspire 3 laptop for DD to do her homeschooling. I bought it online from Argos. She is unable to return to school for the foreseeable future so the laptop is really important.

Anyway, it doesn’t work. I spoke to Acer and they carried out a diagnostic test and found that the hard drive was faulty. They told me to return it to Argos and they will replace it.

So I spoke to Argos but the laptop is out of stock. As I have NO spare money I asked if they could swap it for another model, but they only one they have is £49 more expensive.

I asked if I could swap it for this one since Acer will reimburse them, but they’ve said no. So we’re stuck with the broken one. We don’t have any other devices so homeschooling is out for now.

AIBU? Or should Argos just send me what they have available? I am fully prepared to accept the results of the vote Grin.

Thanks.

OP posts:
toomanyspiderplants · 08/03/2021 13:24

Can't you get a refund and buy elsewhere?

Floralnomad · 08/03/2021 13:25

I don’t think Argos should be out of pocket it’s Acers problem , as pp said get a refund and buy elsewhere .

MolyHolyGuacamole · 08/03/2021 13:25

I had a recent issue with Argos where I didn't like the laptop I purchased (Chromebook which couldn't do many things and I didn't realise) and they wouldn't take it as I'd opened the box. Not quite the same issue, but in future use PC world. They match any price of the same brand and I was able to take a laptop that I'd bought from them back as I simply didn't like it. That was all. You should always be allowed to try something and then return as we haven't been able to try things out in shops.

I absolutely think that you should be able to return for a refund though? Have you tried that? For sure they take items back if they're faulty. Then use the money and go to PC world

Frequency · 08/03/2021 13:25

Get a refund and buy a better, second hand/refurbed laptop. Argos is the worst place to buy computing equipment from. Try laptops direct, newegg or ebuyer.

idontlikealdi · 08/03/2021 13:26

is the school loaning devices?

It sounds pretty shit put it's not really Argos' problem.

Acesulfame · 08/03/2021 13:26

They should replace it like for like or if not possible, give you a refund. I don’t see why they should give you a more expensive laptop (unless you pay the extra £49, obviously).

Original poster
MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:27

@toomanyspiderplants It would take 5-10 working days for the refund to be processed. I don’t want to lose 2 weeks of school.

OP posts:
boltfromtheblueblue · 08/03/2021 13:27

You're not stuck with a broken one. Return it for a refund.

littlepattilou · 08/03/2021 13:28

Could you get the extra £49 on a Argos card?

Original poster
MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:28

@littlepattilou No, I can’t get credit. I tried.

OP posts:
DynamoKev · 08/03/2021 13:33

People saying "it's not Argos' problem" are incorrect.
OP has a contract with Argos that Argos will supply goods.
Argos need to refund if they cannot replace.

Frequency · 08/03/2021 13:34

Did Acer say what was wrong with the HDD and have you asked Acer if they would be willing to foot the repair bill if it's a quick, easy fix?

Original poster
MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:35

They can give us a refund, but it will take too long. It will be 5-10 working days AFTER they receive it. Add on post time that could be nearly 3 weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:35

@Frequency Acer can fix it but it would take weeks.

OP posts:
toomanyspiderplants · 08/03/2021 13:36

[quote MarieFromStTropez]@toomanyspiderplants It would take 5-10 working days for the refund to be processed. I don’t want to lose 2 weeks of school.[/quote]
But its doesn't work anyway so you have no laptop. I don't think argos would have to swap for a more expensive laptop

tryalittle · 08/03/2021 13:37

But a hewlett packard pentium desk top so so so much better. And HP will deliver directly and it is a dream to set up.

DianaT1969 · 08/03/2021 13:37

You have no choice but to wait for a refund. Does your daughter have a classmate she could study with? Or are all her class back?
I think you could also ask the school if they have one you can borrow, failing that the local council.
Frankly, all kids have missed lots of school. This is out of your control.

Frequency · 08/03/2021 13:38

It would only take weeks if you sent it to Acer. If it's as simple as a loose connection it would take a local repair shop five minutes and cost a few quid. Even a replacement HDD would be less than the £49 Argos want for a better model.

Can you negotiate with Acer for them to have it repaired locally, given the circumstances?

toomanyspiderplants · 08/03/2021 13:39

@idontlikealdi

is the school loaning devices?

It sounds pretty shit put it's not really Argos' problem.

It is their problem. op is entitled to a expect an item to work! it doesn't so she can get a refund
Original poster
MarieFromStTropez · 08/03/2021 13:40

OK I accept IABU. I will send it back when I can afford to and wait for the refund. It’s just so shit for DD potentially missing another 3 weeks of school.

Thanks for your replies.

OP posts:
Justforphoto · 08/03/2021 13:40

@DynamoKev

People saying "it's not Argos' problem" are incorrect. OP has a contract with Argos that Argos will supply goods. Argos need to refund if they cannot replace.
people are saying that the op not wanting the refund and just the laptop being replaced with a more expensive one isn't Argos' problem, all they need to do is repair or refund since they can not exchange. Those are the only options
Newnamefor2021 · 08/03/2021 13:45

Sounds a rubbish situation. You could ask for a gift card or a different laptop but needs to be the same price or less. You can get a refund but sounds like it may take awhile. You could make up the difference but sounds like that's not an option. You could try their media teams, privately, they are sometimes more willing to be generous. You could ask the bank fir a free overdraft to cover the cost maybe if you explained it's being refunded. Or a budgeting loan if you're on benefits.

Can school lend one? They should have some to lend.

If your daughter is going to be home for "some time" is it is due to a disability lots of many places are offering money towards laptops and iPads etc.

Heyha · 08/03/2021 13:45

Argos will refund but the OP doesn't want that, so at that point it ceases to be Argos' problem. Replace or refund a faulty item, not give an upgrade just for the OPs convenience. School will have kids coming back in now so there should be DfE loan devices being returned too, could you see if they will lend one of these out to you? Or send paper workpacks now that a lot of the students will be back in the building.

Hankunamatata · 08/03/2021 13:46

Ask the school to loan you a device. If you have an ipad or phone you can attach a cheap wireless keyboard and mouse too

hiptobeasquare · 08/03/2021 13:48

Under the consumer rights act you are entitled to a repair or replacement. The replacement is a like for like. If they cannot repair/replace they should refund you. The fact you don’t want to wait is your issue not theirs.

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