@knowhowtohelp PC World LOSES LAPTOP ********WON********

[vonjamia]

I recently took my Laptop into PC World and purchased a new external hard drive from them and asked them to do a data/software recovery as i had many photos of my new grandson on the laptop and did not want anything happening to them if i had a problem. Also i had lots of downloaded music and software, and irreplaceable scanned copies of family members etc.

After a 3 weeks i had heard nothing so i rang them and they informed me they had lost the laptop and hard drive.

They told me i would get a voucher for a replacement laptop, whic i recieved but when i asked about them replacing the lost software from their stock and compensating me for the loss of music downloads and software,they told me " you should have had it backed up so its down to me" i was not only dumbfounded but furious as i took it to them, the so called experts, to do the back up for me.

The store manager agreed with me as did the 3 other managers i spoke to over the coming days, but head office have said NO i have spoken to Consumer direct, who agree with me that they have failed to take reasonable care etc etc but after 3 letters to Dixons, they have said tuff titty.

So i am now in the process of taking them to court with there reply to my statement was " i intend to defend this whole claim"

 

Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

you can follow their new director, David Camerons mate on twitter, sebastian james

[watchinginvestigation2011]

I mean its one thing being upset if they lost your lappy whist awaiting repair and had not backed up, but you were using a specific service to back up to a hard drive so cant see how they could argue re no replacing the data. Probably just trying to hope you will go away.

 

Have you thought about doing some covert/recorded calls calls to pc world stores and ask them about this service, what is offered for the money and what their responsibilities would be re the fact they know you have no other back up as tell them that, hence see if they reassure you they will take all responsibilities re your data.

 

If they do say we would take responsibility then go back to head office and ask for their response telling them why you had to record covertly. I mean thats what I would do anyhow xx

[andydd]

This must be quite common and I suspect it says somewhere in their T & C's that they will not be responsible for consequential loss, otherwise, for example, it could be vital business data worth £100,000's which PC World could be liable.

 

Did you receive any T & C's when you took it in or were you pointed to any ?

 

A couple of things though, Hard Drives do get worn out, die, break, get lost, etc so everyone really should back up important data, also why oh why do people take PC's to PC World to be prepared, they are well known for being absolut clueless idiots.

 

Andy

[watchinginvestigation2011]

Even if recorded covertly a transcript can be offered to a court and often the company might not want to take that risk showing how poor/conflicting service they give xx

[vonjamia]

thanks for that will try and get it done

[vonjamia]

the case went to mediation on monday....................what a waste of time...........the woman seemed like she just wanted me to agree with pc world and accept £200;00 compensation, like she was on commision to get cases settled. Got a court date for late october. I went into a pc world and they put it in writing that if they lost laptop they would replace it, also said in writing that they would compensate me for loss of data and replace any lost software. When PC World found out that the manager had put it in writing they just said he was not authorised to do so. I just think that if the shop manager says all that in writing, then they should be liable and must be breaking the law as when the situation arrises and they do lose the laptop it must be under false pretences. Not bothered about going to court, i just wish Dixon's would have been strong enough to jujst stand up and be counted. It is not like i am asking for loads of money i just want them to replace my software.

[markmont]

I have never have experience this sort of problem. I couldn't believe that a company would be capable of such incompetence

[vonjamia]

incommutent does not even scratch the surface. Their solicitor keeps referring the fact that they have only misplaced it. They sent me a few sheets that they downloaded off the net regarding loss of software etc and it actually proved my point in as much as if you own a piece of software and purchased it legally, then it can only exist on one computer at a time as per the license. My point to them is that it is still in existence on the lost laptop so if i reloaded it onto a new laptop i would in fact be breaking the law. Also redownloading of itunes is again only legal to put it onto a second computer if you reside in the US. I am due to go to court end of October and will let you know what happens.Also mediation total waste of time. The woman i spoke to seemed to be giving her opinion on the case rather than being an impartial go between. I think they believe that they are some sort of legal eagle's who have to get the case settled as if on commision.

[vonjamia]

took my case to court and WON with the judge telling PC World legal representative that they should have settled this case ages ago and most importantly..........the judge said that PC World were liable for loss of Data and Software as although it states in Dixons Terms and conditions that data SHOULD be backed up, it is not a condition that the data and software IS backed up, it is only a reccomendation, so if it is not backed up for any reason, DIXONS GROUP are still liable. Got all my fees returned and PC World had to pay for all loss of data and software, legal representative, left with a flea in his ear and tail between his legs.

[rebel11]

Well Done Von.

[labrat]

is there any way to see the court records i know alot of people who would be intrested in this

[andydd]

is there any way to see the court records i know alot of people who would be intrested in this

 

Various tribunals and higheer courts are printed online. But im not sure about small claims, they are recorded/dictated by the judge but not sure if they are always typed up/available, I recall reading once a guy who wanted his typed up but it would cost £100's to do !

 

Andy

[labrat]

darn it

 

theyve failed to return a hdd i requested which has alot of photos on etc

 

thought i could use it as a large stick to hit them with