Out of warranty TV repair

[alferret]

I'm going to be in need of some information regarding the EU regulations for out of warranty repairs.

We purchased a Sharp Aquos LC37X20E in Sept 2008, we didn't take out extended cover & generally we have never needed it.
Anywho, the problem is as follow.

Switch the TV on via the pwr button on the TV and the pwr & OPC lights flash with no picture or sound. By pressing the power button 2 or 3 times or pressing the standby button on the remote a few times as well the TV comes on and works fine. But we have to go through the same process every time. This is the same even if we use the standby button on the remote.

After searching a bit online it seems for the amount of flashes in the sequence (3 per sec) it points to either the main board or the power board that is breaking down. Also there is a history of this happening to other purchasers of Sharp Aquos TV's. As this (to me) seems to be an inherent fault would you say that there would be a case for repair\replacement under the EU rules.

Any info, links or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Alan

EDIT**

Would I be right in saying that my first port of call would be the UK online retailer we purchased the TV from and also does anyone have any links to any letter templates for correct wording of the letters I may need to send.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by alferret

I'm going to be in need of some information regarding the EU regulations for out of warranty repairs.

We purchased a Sharp Aquos LC37X20E in Sept 2008, we didn't take out extended cover & generally we have never needed it.
Anywho, the problem is as follow.

Switch the TV on via the pwr button on the TV and the pwr & OPC lights flash with no picture or sound. By pressing the power button 2 or 3 times or pressing the standby button on the remote a few times as well the TV comes on and works fine. But we have to go through the same process every time. This is the same even if we use the standby button on the remote.

After searching a bit online it seems for the amount of flashes in the sequence (3 per sec) it points to either the main board or the power board that is breaking down. Also there is a history of this happening to other purchasers of Sharp Aquos TV's. As this (to me) seems to be an inherent fault would you say that there would be a case for repair\replacement under the EU rules.

Any info, links or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Alan

EDIT**

Would I be right in saying that my first port of call would be the UK online retailer we purchased the TV from and also does anyone have any links to any letter templates for correct wording of the letters I may need to send.

I'm sure someone will be along in a bit to assist with specific advice but if not then try your CAB or Consumer Direct here:

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

[Lord Nikon]

You may also find it interesting to read up on European Directive 1999/44/EC and the Sales and Supply of Goods and Services act 1979 (with it's various amendments)

[Tinky]

alferret I had a similar query about my fridge freezer here hopefully there is something in there that will answer your query.

[j52c]

Have you contacted Customer Services at Sharp and had a word with them?

I have a Toshiba 32" tv, and after 16 months the picture started to shimmer and eventually go off once the tv had been on for so long.

I rang Customer Services and told them how long I had the tv and said I didn't expect to have that sort of problem after such a short time, I was then passed on to another department. Toshiba rang me back later in the day, to keep things short, they said if I agreed, they would contact a dealer in my area and ask him to come and look at the tv, he would find out what the problem was and report back to them. The dealer came the next day, checked the tv over, and then rang Toshiba with the info, Toshiba then rang me and said they would supply the new part free of charge and have it delivered it directly to my house but I would have to pay labour fo fitting it, I agreed.

The dealer said they had the part in their shop and suggested he go an get it and when the new on came from Toshiba I would give them that one, which I did.

I got the tv repaired and all it cost me was £15 so I was happy.

I did a similar thing with a AEG electric oven where the main thermostat had gone after 18 months, they agreed to pay half of the repair cost as a good faith gesture, so it could be worthwhile asking Sharp if they can help.

[beeman]

In breif your (under the sale of goods act) your entitled to expect ANY product purchased to bee free from manufacturer defects for a "reasonable time" (yes the wording of the law actually says reasonable as appose to any actual time frame). Generally speaking what counts as reasonable varys from 2-5 years depending on the cost of the item compared to its peers.

ie a £2000 32'' branded TV would bee expected to bee free from defects for 5 years compared to a £400 32'' supermarket own brand brought at the same time would bee expected to last 2 years. Unfortunately due to the veige nature of "reasonable" it is between you, the SUPPLER/finance company (it should bee noted the manufacture is NOT liable to you, it is the shop your brought the TV from and any finance company used (under section 75 of the consumer credit act)) and (possible) a judge to negotiate where on that scale your TV belongs

[alferret]

Thanks all for your replies.
I have just spoken to the online store, at first they said "sorry its over the year no chance" I mentioned the EU sale of goods act and he popped off to speak to a supervisor. He came back with "pay for an engineer to come out and check out the TV, get a copy of the report and send it to head office, if they deem that it is an inherent fault they will pay for the fix but not a refund of the engineer report"

So with that information I will write to their head office anyway and argue the point about paying for an engineer and suggest to them that they can send one out at their expense and we will take time off work to fit around their engineer.

So I will be composing a letter over the next few days & collate all the info I have found online regarding the problem along with the correct parts from the sale of goods act and see what happens. I'll keep this thread updated as and when I get replies from or information from the provider.

Cheers

Alan

[AntiSilence]

Was it Sharpserv you spoke to by any chance?

They're the UK service centre for Sharp products (not sure if they deal with TV's though) and I worked for them from 1995-1998.

[beeman]

Originally Posted by alferret

Thanks all for your replies.
I have just spoken to the online store, at first they said "sorry its over the year no chance" I mentioned the EU sale of goods act and he popped off to speak to a supervisor. He came back with "pay for an engineer to come out and check out the TV, get a copy of the report and send it to head office, if they deem that it is an inherent fault they will pay for the fix but not a refund of the engineer report"

So with that information I will write to their head office anyway and argue the point about paying for an engineer and suggest to them that they can send one out at their expense and we will take time off work to fit around their engineer.

So I will be composing a letter over the next few days & collate all the info I have found online regarding the problem along with the correct parts from the sale of goods act and see what happens. I'll keep this thread updated as and when I get replies from or information from the provider.

Cheers

Alan

Just to add to what i wrote earlier, while the store has no liability for the engneer's report IF there is no inhearent fault. However IF there is one then the store WOULD bee liable for your "out of pocket" expences (ie the cost of the engneer's report, but not any time of work)

*assuming your TV is still covered by the SGA (which it would appear they have aggreed it is)*