6th.replicant:Arggghhhhhhh! How many more times do I have to post the following info???!!!
In effect,
all TVs/hifi/AV kit etc purchased in the UK that costs over £100 has a default
six-year warranty - it's standard UK consumer rights/law blah, blah. If the TV/hifi/AV kit etc expires within six years, then it's deemed "not fit for purpose" according to UK law. The 'warranty' is actually with the retailer,
not the manufacturer. If your TV develops a fault within
six years, then the retailer is obliged to get it repaired - and the retailer must cover/pay the costs of parts
and labour. Therefore, five-year warranties are: a) a con; b) a waste of time; c) a waste of money (you end up paying in some shape or form). For example, in Dec '09 my 2.5-year-old Pana plasma developed a terminal fault - a thin green vertical line in the middle of the screen. Consequently, it required a new panel. Cost to repair? Approx £700. I contacted Trading Standards/Consumer Direct and they advised me re the six-year rule. In short, my TV was repaired and I paid now't.
What happens if the retailer has ceased trading since the TV was purchased? If the TV was purchased with a credit card, then the credit card co assumes the liability for repair costs (parts
and labour).
Ergo,
always buy TV/hifi/AV kit with a credit card. (BTW, WHF?S&V, wouldn't it be useful if the above info/guidance - written in a more succinct, legalise-style - was permanently posted on this site, please?)
Warranty is nothing to do with SOGA. The Sale of Goods Act provides a basic level of protection, some manufacturers offer warranty terms that are greater than these rights. If you want to act under the SOGA you go to the retailer. If your product has a manufacturers warranty that provides greater protection than the sale of goods act and you want to act under that you go to however provides that warranty.
Any guarantee given by a retailer or a manufacturer are, as the famous phrase says, "in addition to your statutory rights". The Sales of Goods Act is a separate right which often needs fighting for and is shrouded in mystery, confusion and denial as well as (to be fair) often over inflated expectations from consumers.
Of course, you've got to be sensible when paying for these "extended warranties". I'd steer away from extended warranties offered by Argos, Dixons etc. Richer Sounds......although cheap....not sure if it's worth it. There's no harm in getting a free extended warranty like John Lewis.