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Legal stance on opening/upgrading PC's?

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  • 25-11-2014 7:44am
    #1
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭


    I bought a PC from a seller in the UK. I had two problems. 1) It was not as described - the computer had a different graphics card as was described. They told me to take pictures of the card I did receive so they could work out a solution.

    Then I discovered that the RAM was faulty, it doesn't pass memtest86, replaced it and now PC working fine.

    Contacted user who told me that opening the case renders warranty void and that's it, nothing they can do (even though they originally told me to take pictures of the wrong card...).

    I can't seem to find an answer on this, but what I'm wondering is, is it legal to declare a warranty void if you open a PC (it did have a sticker on it)? I know none of the big manufacturers do this, in fact most of them have guides on how to replace ram/video card etc in manuals.

    It's not a huge deal as it was only €20 to replace the ram but it's more the nerve of the seller telling me to open case to take pictures of the card, then telling me in the next message that the warranty was invalid once the case had been opened when I informed them the RAM was faulty.

    I've seen people that under EU law you can't bar a user from opening/upgrading a PC, but not sure where to look! Thanks.


Comments

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    #2
    Del2005
    Registered Users Posts: 18,995 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    Warranties are an addition to your rights, contact the European Consumer Centre for how to deal with a company outside Ireland.

    The fact that item wasn't as advertised has no relevance to the warranty the company offers or the fact that you opened it and discovered it wasn't what you ordered.


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    #3
    salamanca22
    Registered Users Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭salamanca22


    As stated above, this is not a warranty issue. How did you pay for your order? If it was via paypal then lodge a dispute with them citing goods not as described. If my credit card then give them some time to fix the problem and then issue a chargeback with your bank (When they refuse, and they will, insist that they do it, I have done it successfully in the past for not as described items when the seller fobbed me off).


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    #4
    braddun
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭braddun


    which company


    report them to English trading standards company


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    #5
    slimjimmc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,786 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    braddun wrote: »
    which company


    report them to English trading standards company
    The Trading Standards Institute does not deal with individual consumer complaints though. The OP would be better off contacting the ECC in Ireland.


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    #6
    my3cents
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    Last time I checked Trading Standards was done on a County basis in the UK by the County Council. It would be worth calling the relevant authority and making a complaint because there could be a string of other complaints.

    As an example here is a link to Hampshire County Concils Trading standards enforcement policy

    I wouldn't however expect them to sort the problem out for you.


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