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| Thread ID: 74665 | 2006-11-30 20:19:00 | Warranty Void if Seal is Broken | Mackin_NZ (6958) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 503324 | 2006-11-30 20:19:00 | Yesterday I visited PB Tech in Auckland to buy one of their pre-built systems for a friend. It was reasonable spec and a good price. I did however want to add an extra 512 MB stick of RAM. They gave me the computer and gave me a stick of RAM out of the cabinet. When I arrived home and removed the system unit from the box there was a sticker on the side to the effect that if I open the case, thereby tearing the sticker, the warranty would be void. How am I supposed to install the extra RAM then? I took the machine back and was told that the sales guy shouldn't have given me the RAM, rather their tech's should have installed it. I asked what about if I want to add a PCI modem that I have at home, they said "bring it to us and we'll install it for you". The upshot of all this was that I'm not allowed to open the case for the next 12 months or the warranty is void. I find this unacceptable and asked for my money back, which they gave me without problem. Now I've ordered a similar system as parts from Ascent, where I should have gone in the first place. Is this common? The sales manager said "everyone does this", but I've never seen a system that prohibits you from opening the case or else you void the warranty. It seems overly restrictive to me and at least I think they should make this known to customers before you buy. |
Mackin_NZ (6958) | ||
| 503325 | 2006-11-30 20:36:00 | As far as I know no one puts a warranty on the case. The individual parts in the case have there own warranties. EG the CPU might have 5 years where the graphics card has 2. That sales manager was wrong. Trevor :) |
Trev (427) | ||
| 503326 | 2006-11-30 20:38:00 | No, it's not legally enforceable. The only way your warranty could be voided when the case had been opened was if they could prove you had changed/damaged the part that was playing up, or something that you had done to another component had caused damage in turn to that part. Note that a warranty is in case of FAULTY manufacture, it does not cover you against damage caused by anything you might do, so from a legal perspective opening the case could not cause a component inside to become faulty and the terms imposed by the seller are invalid. PS: the only 'valid' reason I can think of for someone to impose that condition is so you are too scared to check out the quality of the components inside the case. |
Shortcircuit (1666) | ||
| 503327 | 2006-11-30 21:11:00 | ... PS: the only 'valid' reason I can think of for someone to impose that condition is so you are too scared to check out the quality of the components inside the case.Or the retailer is trying to intimidate customers into bringing their machine back to the shop for mods so they have an additional revenue stream, separate from sales...:horrified | johcar (6283) | ||
| 503328 | 2006-11-30 21:57:00 | I've seen HP and Compact PC having the same sticker on the back. | SKT174 (1319) | ||
| 503329 | 2006-11-30 22:07:00 | As far as I know no one puts a warranty on the case. The individual parts in the case have there own warranties. EG the CPU might have 5 years where the graphics card has 2. That sales manager was wrong. Trevor :) Once a computer assembler has put together a retail model I wouldn't put too much hope that you would get any more than their warranty on the complete unit. It is common for assemblers to buy parts in bulk from manufacturers without the usual manufacturer retail warranty in exchange for a lower price. |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 503330 | 2006-11-30 23:21:00 | Once a computer assembler has put together a retail model I wouldn't put too much hope that you would get any more than their warranty on the complete unit. It is common for assemblers to buy parts in bulk from manufacturers without the usual manufacturer retail warranty in exchange for a lower price.That's their problem, they can't opt out of their obligations under the CGA or any other applicable statute. They do that to save money, so they should carry the risk, and yes, the "warranty void if sticker broken" is unenforceable. Unless you do something particularly stupid and obvious (over-clocking perhaps, or internal butchery) then any component failure must be rectified without charge. In fact, I don't even agree with consumers having to pay the shipping to return the product, and why should you? If it hadn't been faulty that cost would never have been incurred. Some organisations I have dealt with recently send a prepaid courier bag or label for the return. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 503331 | 2006-12-01 02:04:00 | It is common for assemblers to buy parts in bulk from manufacturers without the usual manufacturer retail warranty in exchange for a lower price. Oh? Since when? I've worked for both retail and wholesale places and I can tell you the manufacturers warranty has nothing to do with how many of anything you buy from them. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 503332 | 2006-12-01 02:19:00 | In fact, I don't even agree with consumers having to pay the shipping to return the product, and why should you? If it hadn't been faulty that cost would never have been incurred. Some organisations I have dealt with recently send a prepaid courier bag or label for the return. Cheers Billy 8-{) I recieved a prepayed courier bag when returning ipod for warrenty. |
plod (107) | ||
| 503333 | 2006-12-01 03:22:00 | That's their problem, they can't opt out of their obligations under the CGA or any other applicable statute. CGA only covers 1 year warranty .. ? |
SKT174 (1319) | ||
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