Problems with DVD recorder from Bennetts....

[kevb0444]

Hi all.

 

I got a Panasonic DMR E55 DVD recorder from Bennetts 2 just over 2 years ago. It went wrong once about a year ago and the work was covered by the guarantee but now it's gone wrong again (same problem) and was wondering if i could get them to do anything about it. Now i know they are gonna say they won't touch it as it has no guarantee left but i've heard differently. Also i can't seem to find the recept (i know!!!)...but i'm sure my details were kept on their files so was wondering if they would pull up a copy. It cost me about £250 when i got it and i thought at that price it should last longer than 2 years!!!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Kev

[kevb0444]

Hi all...

 

To update things...Bennetts have the thing on their files. It was purchased on 28/07/04. I phoned the people who fixed it last time (a panasonic approved tech) and it was repaired in Feb'05. I asked them how much would cost to fix this time and they quoted around £200!!!!!

[blueskies]

Hi Kev,

 

Your player is out of manufacturers warranty, to be honest they are worthless any way as you have more right from the Sale of Goods Act 1979.

 

S.14 of SOGA states that goods must be of a reasonable durability, while it is not stated in the act how long this is it has been deemed that electrical goods such as a DVD player should last more than 4 years. It would be very easy to argue it should last longer than 2 years anyway.

 

I would write to them pointing out that the DVD player is unsatisfactory and that unless they repair or replace (the replacement doesn't have to be new in this instance) the item, or refund you (they can deduct a reasonable amount for wear and tear), you will pursue them to the small claims court.

[kevb0444]

Hmm...

 

Just contacted Bennetts and they say it's not their problem, told to phone Panasonic. Phoned them....they said i'd need to pay to have it inspected then they MIGHT pay a little towards repairs....was then told to speak to Bennetts again saying they should deal with it. Phoned them back and am waiting for a call back from a manager.

[kevb0444]

Ok...

 

Bennetts said they wanted the complaint in writing, which is fair, so wrote them a letter and just dropped it off instore...to the manager's surprise!!!

 

Also complained to Consumer Direct who have lodged the complaint.

 

Oh also i double checked the cost again with the repair people and they said the price quoted was just for the part and the total cost of repair would be £253 inc vat. Thats more than what i paid for the thing.

 

Oh well....

[tom3131]

You don't need to talk to the manufacturor at all, you bought the goods from the store, therefore your contract is with them.

 

Everything else has pretty much been covered.

 

How much did you pay for it in the first place?

 

By the way. If it did get to court I couldnt see you getting more than 30% of the original price back...it wouldnt be unreasonable to sell a DVD Player that lasts 2-4 years.

 

Regards,

Tom3131

[kevb0444]

Hi Tom and thanks for the reply.

 

I paid £246.83 (i finaly found the old receipt)

 

It was on offer at the time....not that it makes much difference.

 

The thing is..it's a realy nice recorder (when it works) and i dout i'd get any thing near the same spec. It can record on DVD-RAM's (so you can watch and record like sky+), its got more in's and out's than you can shake a stick at, recordes up to 16 hours, has 5 different quality settings plus it has flexi recording.

[kevb0444]

Ok....

 

Bennetts called and said they want to take it in to see what needs fixing. They said if they couldn't repair it themsleves they would contact Panasonic....Thing is they didn't actualy say if they were going to charge me for any of this. I'll double check on monday...

[kevb0444]

WOW.....OMFG.....

 

I took the DVD recorder to Bennetts today and the manager took the unit off me. I told him that i was told to bring it in and he asked if i'd sent him a letter??? I said that i had and he went into his office and i could see him reading my letter. He was in there for ages, going over every line with his duty manager. He then called someone and read the letter to who ever was on the other end.

 

After about 5 mins on the phone he came back out and told me to follow him. We went over to the DVD recorder section of the store and he pointed at a £250 Panasonic DMR-EZ25. He asked me if i would accept it as a replacement for my old one...i said yes plz!!!!!!

 

He picked up a boxed one and took it over to the counter and went through and exchanged it (got a receipt for it) He even chucked in a pack of blank DVD's and and said he hoped it would bring the matter to a close and hoped i was happy with everything!!!!

 

 

OMFG!!!! I wasn't expecting that!!!

[reidnet]

Well done M8 , It pays to stick to your guns..lol

[Rich44]

hehehehe excellent

[blueskies]

I have already said it to Kev, but Congratulations and it shows that it doesn't take too much work to deal with these issues