Toshiba Laptop

[Sooziecats]

Hi can anyone help me please?

My Uncle paid cash for a Toshiba L300-154 from a small independant shop in our town a few days ago.

When he got it home he had to put the battery into the back of the laptop and turn the machine on.

The system loaded up Windows Vista and then a sceen appeared stating something like - System initialising, this may take a few minutes. Three hours later it was still the same!

I took it back to the shop and explained the problem. The owner was extremley rude to me..... to cut a very long story short the owner told me that computer software was not covered by the sale of goods act. I asked for a replacement lap-top or a full refund but both were refused. The lap top is in the shop waiting for the owner to check it out and is probably going to cost another £50 to get it back.

Can you tell me what rights my Uncle has please and if the battery should have already been in the laptop?

Thanks
Sooziecats

[Preshous]

Hi Soozie,

Was the laptop NEW?

Gary

[Sooziecats]

Yep - brand spanking new and cost £379.99!

[Emjaybee]

Tell him you are off to Trading Standards for advice.

[Sooziecats]

I tried that one, but he shouted at me that because a computer consists of many parts computers are not covered by the Sale of Goods act - I put him right on that one, so he changed his mind and said that the Software was not covered.  He then went on to patronise me by telling me the difference between hardware and software (I teach computing so I do know!).  I have emailed Toshiba and am waiting a reply from them.

Sooziecats

Just looked on the Toshiba website and the battery should have already been inside the computer - mmmm more ammo for me to use!

[Paul Caswell]

I'd be spitting feathers by now. !!

I am no authority but I would have thought that any software that is specifically included in the product description would be at least partly under warranty, even if it is a 'refer to manufaturer' type.

However, if he is installing software illegally without paying for it I would expect him to act like this. You could threaten reporting him to FAST (Federation Against Software Theft), that might have the desired effect.

The fault looks more like a hardware problem to me anyway but I am a programmer and they tell me we are therefore biased that way. 

Paul

[Arranroots]

Soozie - you have got a receipt, I hope?

At the moment you have no computer and no proof that you bought it, otherwise.  

The shopkeepers contract is with your uncle, so he would have to pursue the matter himself - speak to the Council, as they have responsibility for trading standards.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos/Consumer.htm

We bought the same computer a couple of months ago from a larger store and can confirm that the battery was already in it.   From that particular supplier the software was also installed but that's not always the case.

Let us know how you get on & good luck!

Kind regards, Arranroots  

[ricky1]

Hi Sooziecat



The Sale of Goods Act
You may have rights under the Sale of Goods Act if you have bought

commercial goods
personal, household goods to use in your business and the seller contracted out of the Consumer Guarantees Act

Sales of Goods Act applies to computer software

I think it applies to this country

ricky

[Sooziecats]

Yep we have the receipt.  I know the transaction is with my Uncle but he is very shy and does not want to make a fuss!

BUT that bloke from the shop is going to wish he had never met me by the time I have finished with him!  I work for a local college and quite a few students have bought computers from him and when they dont work "he has been so helpful and only charged £50 to sort the problem out".

I just wish my Uncle had asked me to get him a laptop

Bring on Tuesday - I can't wait!!!!!  By the way I do have a level 3 qualification in Customer Service and I know how to hold my temper - I dont really want to be arrested just before Christmas!!!!!!!