Returning something broken

[divine]

Bought a netbook in Feb (4th), I think it may be playing up regards the battery, it seems to be refusing to charge. My sister's (bought the same time) did the same last week and then decided it didn't even have a battery.

They're currently running Windows 7 Beta which has expired so i'm going to install RC1 later just to check if it is just that.

Anyway, for now lets just assume they're both actually broken.

I bought from Tesco Home Plus who guarantee for 12 months, which is great but it says you can't return it to the store after 28 days, I have to use the helpline. Is that right? Can they do that, or do I have a right to return to the store I bought it from?

I'd much rather just take it to the shop than dick around on the end of a phone line for an hour.

[Fayshun]

I bought a mobile from Tesco, it broke after a couple of months and I took it back to the store. Apart from the monkey behind the desk saying "I know all about phones, give it 'ere" and dicking about taking the battery out, the Customer Service manager said I had to phone up.

[divine]

I imagine they'll tell me similar, I was just wondering if I have any actual statutory right to have it dealt with in store without being fobbed off to a phone line.

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by divine

I imagine they'll tell me similar, I was just wondering if I have any actual statutory right to have it dealt with in store without being fobbed off to a phone line.

I expect they'll tell you although they are own by the same parent company, but you have bought it off a different company thus you have to phone up.

[divine]

How could it be a different company?

I walked into the Tesco Home Plus in Southampton in February, now I might be needing to take something back to that same store because it's faulty.

[Mondo]

It's like different departments, it differs from company to company.

[divine]

Ok... I'm not really understanding how a shop isn't the same as itself 6 months earlier :S

[Mondo]

Sorry, some reason I thought one was an online company.

I don't think you should have a problem then. what Netbook is it btw?

[divine]

Acer Aspire A150

One is refusing to charge, one seems to think it has no battery. I'm going to install Windows 7 RC1 just in case it's something to do with the Beta expiring but i'm not entirely hopeful.

So do I actually have any rights to have it dealt with in store or are they entirely fine to make me sort it out via phone after 28 days?

[Mondo]

I am not sure about the phoneline part, but if you are returning to the store, you don't have the automatic right for a refund, it's repair first or replacement, and refund in the retailer's discretion.

But most retailer are nice enough to offer a refund if they can't exchange you with a working one right there these days. Plus you are still within the first 6 months period as well.