What do you think?

[oldius]

Eighteen months ago I take an integrated amplifier into my dealer with a fault on one of the channels. I request a repair and a full service and it's away for a couple of months. Arrives back, working perfectly and described by the dealer (with manufacturer information) that essentially the amplifier is internally new and up to latest model spec.

Possibly used ten times in the interim period by my wife, one of the channels stops working again. Returned to dealer and then to manufacturer who responds that the amplifier needs a capacitor change and that this is not part of their full service. I, of course suggest that that feels like a ridiculous statement, given what I was told on completion of the last job. This information has gone back to the manufacturer through their sales rep and I await a response.

Thoughts?

 

[simon g]

The expectation of longer than a 12 month warranty on a repair seems a bit unreasonable to me. It always pays to check exactly what a 'full service' means and what warranty applies before agreeing to any servicing/repair work.

I think that this will come down to how much your dealer and manufacturer want to keep you 'on board', as it were. Legally, I don't think you'd get anywhere at all.

 

[oldius]

Thanks Simon. I did put up the post for debate not just affirmation.

My issue is that "effectively a new amplifier internally" is not an amplifier without a capacitor change.

 

[RSand]

Name and shame, what brand?

 

[falcoron]

My thoughts are, just because something has a 1 year warranty does not mean your rights are out the window, the courts have viewed this, as they have in a lot of cases ( me included with a washing machine) the goods are to last a resonable time, warranty does not mean feck off once its over, get some advice if your miffed, if your happy to pay then leave as is but let them know you are not happy. The expectation that if something goes bang after the warranty is up that you are high and dry is not always the case. You get a 3 month warranty on a sofa so is it resonable to expect that to fall apart and for you to replace that every 3 months? no of course not, you expect that to last quite a while. same for electrical goods. Seek out consumer rights. I did and got a new washing machine, lot of hassle but i held on. Thats why i now buy Meile houshold elecrical gear when i can with a 10 year warranty.

 

[oldius]

Rob it wouldn't be fair to name and shame the brand, certainly not at this stage while the retailer is consulting the manufacturer again. I will give then chance to resolve the issue.

 

[George 47]

Geoff,

Can you give us costs? If it is a £500 amplifier and you paid £50 for the repair then I would tend to say negotiate a good replacement cost but you will have to live with it. If it is a £3,000 amplifier and you paid £400 for a repair then I would demand more. Was it a specialist hifi dealer or a chain? It should not make a difference but what you can demand for a £60 repair could be different to a £400 repair. A salesman may say it was completely renewed inside but if it costs £50 I doubt it.

 

[oldius]

George

I paid just short of £200. Specialist dealer, NW based. Amp was £700 in the early 90's.

 

[George 47]

Given that I would hassle for a cheap repair price as you have paid 30% of what the amp cost originally to have it fixed.

As a specialist dealer they may help out. There is nothing to lose, but if the price is high you have a difficult decision, how much is the amp worth?