Dead LCD, Currys and SOGA

[JAPN]

My mothers Philips 32" LCD TV ceased working in August and has sat in her living room since then as a permanent reminder of money wasted.

Since she was too annoyed to do anything about it, I took it to a Philips accredited repair shop because it was a year out of warranty. They told me that the panel itself was dead and it'd cost 340 quid to replace. A sizable sum for a TV which cost 1600 pounds just 2 years ago.

Googling brought me here and after reading a few of the letters I decided to draft a letter to the Currys branch and demand accord under SOGA since the engineer said there was no way that TV should have broken so quickly.

I wrote a letter like the one in the letter to the manager thread in the Comet forum. I did this since the circumstances seemed uncannily similar.

Letter to the Manager. Is this OK?

The deadline came and went and no response. Then I read somewhere else someone saying that it was best to deal directly with the head office and not to bother with the branches. Thus I wrote a replica letter to head office and this time included copies of receipts and engineer report.

Again the deadline for response had elapsed without a peep from Currys. Am I to understand that they think my threat of litigation is weak and hollow?

What's more if I do take it to small claims court should I make the action against the head office address or the branch? Lastly the engineer's report simply said that the panel was faulty and he only said that the TV should have lasted longer, should I ask him for a more explicit report stating that this TV was not very durable and why it wasn't.

[mark casey]

you can get the info on how long a TV is supposed to last from the manufactures web site as they should quote panel life in hours.
also Which did some reachearch and published it about how long common electrical items should last and a TV should last 8-10 years so 2 years is well below its lifespan. I think your next step would be to wrtie another letter giving them 14 days before you file with court ( as per bank recliam) then file an N1 with the court , that should wake them up

[ForestChav]

Mark: Do you have a link to that Which research? I'd be quite interested in seeing it.

[JAPN]

thanks for your help. I know my thread was long and dreary but could you just clarify who I should legally pursue the branch or head office?

Japn

[mark casey]

as which is a subcription service I dont think you can find the link anywhere ( at least if your not a member)
I got that info from a page in the guardian money section dated 25.03.06 and it was page 3 .
I kept the copy and laminated it as I was sure I would need the info at a later date . you could try giving which a ring and see where they published it, they will give you a 3 months free trial of web site but I think it would take longer than that to find the relevent piece of info

for what its worth here is the data I have

Washing machine 5-10 years
Fridge 7-10 years
Tumble Dryer 5-10 years
Dishwaser 5-10 years
TV 8-10 years
VCR 6-9 years

that is all that was printed in the paper

[mark casey]

JAPN The info I have says you should chase the retailer so the shop would be the best one. also have you phoned consumer direct 08454 04 05 06 or your local trading standards they will also give you lots of help and keep tabs on the shop

[gyzmo]

I personally would, after getting nowhere with the store, write to head office (recorded) and follow up twice with 14 days in between each. The Third one should be a final notice stating that you will commence court proceedings without further notice if no response received within 7 days.

The problem with phoning is that agents have this tendancy to not do their job correctly if at all. Writing in shows that you have contacted them. The lack of response shows they have not contacted you. An unrecorded or unlogged telephone call does not show either.

[Bookworm]

As per Gyzmo, but with only 2 letters = total of 1 month, which is what the CPR deem a reasonable time to try and settle a dispute without resorting to litigation. Thus, letter 1 (preliminary) giving them 14 days, letter 2 (letter before action) giving them 14 days, then initiate small court proceedings.

[gyzmo]

Thanks Bookworm - I was feeling rather generous!