Author Topic: Anyone know about Distributors & Shops vs Warranties? (Read 10376 times)

chrisola · « **on:** January 10, 2006, 03:27:35 PM »

Sigh, my amp saga is ongoing.

I sent the amp back to the shop, and they said they didnt handle the warranty (and it was a distributor issue, they then bad mouthed the distributor a little), so they would have to get the distributor (Synergy) to come and pick the amp up from their shop and sort it. This was going be "middle of next week maybe".

So, being annoyed at a) recieving a dodgy £700 amp and b) having to pay £20 to send the amp BACK i phoned the distributor and asked them.

The guy wasnt too happy about what id been told, and said it was up to the shop to send it to him to sort, and that he'd spoken with the shop and nothing had been arranged, and in fact, they were off to NAMM next week anyway. He then compared tube amps to guitar strings and said that i wouldnt expect a shop to replace a broken string!!! He also mentioned tubes are only garunteed for 90 days... and the shop would be in the right if they charged ME for repairing it.

Sooo i explained the amp was dodgy on reciept and now doesnt work, and in the shop told me to swap the tubes around to fix it. The guy now seemed mildly concerned about 'customer service' and the fact that the shop wasnt that far from the distributors office. He said he'd have a word and for me to phone back...

Now, where do i stand with this? the amp was bought on the 23/11 and was DOA until i swapped some tubes round.

Who is reponsible to uphold the warranty on the amp?

I think this is going to be a nightmare... but i do have some ammo in the fact the shop admitted the amp wasnt tested or the box even opened before sending it to me, despite a PRS catalogue (which they mainly deal in!) being in the box lol...

Thanks for reading, any advice is welcomed!!

cheers

willo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:47:10 PM »

Hi Chrisola, sorry to ask but what's the exact problem with the amp? Was it just that the valves were broken? Does the amp work fine now or not?

chrisola · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2006, 04:58:29 PM »

hey, yeah i shouldve mentioned that bit lol..

When i got the amp, the Gain channel worked but the clean didnt. the shop told me to swap the valves around.. when i opened the amp, the valve marked for the pre-amp was in the wrong socket, after i changed it over everything was good.

I didnt touch the amp for a couple of weeks over Xmas, then i turn in on, and get nothing but noise on the clean channel, and a reduced gain channel where all the notes seem to 'warble' and they sound buzzy with strange overtones.

:(

bit of a shiteter so far...

Skybone · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2006, 05:33:30 PM »

The valves are well within the 90 days warrantee, and the amp should have been "FIT FOR PURPOSE" when it was shipped out to you, in compliance with the "Sale of Goods Act". Either that or simply ask for your money back, and buy the same amp elsewhere.

If the shop start arsing you around, quote the "fit for purpose" and the Sale of Goods Act, and that you have an appointment to see the local Citizens Advice Bureau... Time to get arsey with them.

BTW - It really doesn't sound as though it's a warranty issue to me, and the distributor needn't be involved. Sounds like the amp needs to be looked over by a good amp tech. If he finds a problem, then they should start getting the distributor involved.

IMO of course...

dave_mc · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2006, 05:37:15 PM »

^i second what skybone says

afaik, when you buy, your contract is with the shop you bought it from, and it's up to them to rectify the situation.

chrisola · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:44:40 PM »

my initial thoughts exactly...

i've a feeling its going to be a long haul, i dont know whether to trust them to replace the valves and send it back... and i know getting an actual replacement will take a while as the Fireball seems to be hard to find.

probably go for moneyback...

HJM · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2006, 07:05:18 PM »

Sounds like one for trading standards. Your contract is with the seller, ie the shop, not the distributer/manufacturer. You'd probably be in your rights to demand your money back, especially as it's never been 100%. Unless my maths is way off, you should still have a bit of the 90 day valve warranty left??

chrisola · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2006, 07:51:05 PM »

yeah it was on the 28th of november when i got the amp, reported it dodgy, and 1st posted on here about it

the citizens advice website has been most helpful, i checked it after reading you guys replies (thanks!)... i should be well armed enough to phone them back and have a word...

steve · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2006, 08:11:44 PM »

Im in the music trade and it seems strange that you should have to pay for carriage on such a new amp.Here is how it should work:Take amp to shop,shop gets the distributor to collect (no charge),distributor fixes the fault and returns to the shop,test amp in store then take home.You should not have to pay a penny!You have a standard 12 month warranty(not valves) so dont let them tell you otherwise.If they get nasty just mention you have spoken to trading standards about the issue and watch their attitude change.
All the best.

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2006, 09:50:01 PM »

If you brought the amp with a credit card then it should be insured by them too. But no idea how long it would be insured for.

HJM · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2006, 10:12:53 PM »

Also, with a credit card you could threaten a charge back, basically tell your card company the goods weren't fit for purpose and there is recourse to get your money back that way.

Skybone · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2006, 02:24:00 AM »

When you phone them, just remember to stay calm, state your case and stick to the facts.

They won't take the blindest bit of notice if you rant and rave, so don't give them the satisfaction & something else to moan about!

Most of all... GOOD LUCK :!:

Elliot · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2006, 05:48:37 PM »

Also remember that the Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002 amend the Sale of Goods Act 1979 by adding Sections 48A and 48B which hold if the goods are not of satisfactory quality you are entitled to repair or replacement at your request and they are legally obliged to give you the option. So you could ask for a replacement amp rather than wait for a repair.

If you are happy with a repair or replacement under s.48B this must be done 'within a reasonable time but without causing significant inconvenience to the buyer' and the shop must 'bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so (including in particular the cost of any labour, materials or postage).'

(that's s.48B(2)(a) and (b) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) if your interested!).

If the shop can't comply you are entitled to a refund (section 48C)

dave_mc · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:44:55 PM »

^exactly, that's my understanding, too- my parents got a new (not repaired) TV out of currys because of that law!

HJM · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:59:23 AM »

All right, name and shame!!