thanks BSC, as i said originally im new and wasnt sure of the process in relation to this site and just started a new thread...i have since read your posts (which i wasnt aware of before) and find them very useful indeed so thanks so much! I certainly know now what my rights are...not only with SOGA but other legislation also and its such a great help to the likes of me...who if im honest, if anything else broke down in the past, I would have just bought a new one. i came across this site purely by accident as i was so annoyed that i spent (what i class as alot of money) on a single purchase that went belly up after such a short time...and in truth i was prepared to take on Samsung as i honestly believed, as they were the manufacturer then they were at fault. only to find that it wasnt the case and that it is the actual supplier i had to deal with, SOGA etc It all ended up good in the end and fortunately for me Currys resolved the matter in a pretty professional manner ( Im aware of the contradiction from a previous post..but i have calmed down now and looked upon the matter with a clear head) What i am able to do now...(and no im certainly no expert) is now respond to other peoples threads giving them my circumstances and hopefully give others going through the same thing a little hope that all SHOULD be resolved as my case shows and also to make sure people I know are aware of this site as it has a wealth of great advice for any matter of situations and circumstances. so thanks again!!

I have never worked for DSG but what im reading makes me quite sad to think that i may be treated unfairly because it may affect store margins....im sure this is the same for all high street companys. i understand EX DSG MAN that we cant expect quality goods to last for years when paying minimum price for them...but when i purchased my TV 20 months ago, it was voted in the top 3 from stuff magazine for 50" plasmas and when my partner done his research this particular plasma was really up there with the best. I got a cracking deal which was partly due to sale prices and also the salesman doing his best to get the sale at the time.It may be pretty cheap in comparisson to some out there but with the high st stores constantly trying to beat each others prices, i can hardly complain when i can get a £1300 TV for £800;) the fact of the matter is....no matter if i paid £2 OR £2K I should be able to expect a reasonable time out of my products and regardless of price 20 months just isnt acceptable:( i like your honesty and i am thankful that you have came on here to give consumers the best advise when dealing with DSG and it is helpful that we have the advantage of getting "inside knowledge of procedures" so thankyou for that:D

thanks so much!! i must say, it did take a short time compared to most so iim delighted!!!

Quick update!!!.............RESOLVED!!!!!!!! I received a call from Currys today offering me £670 towards a new TV, im delighted with this result as i dont think the original TV was more than £800 ( i also got the stand and surround sound system in the original purchase)...thanks to EVERYONE who helped me along the way and hopefully this result will give faith to people who are awaiting a resolve with there own situation!! thanks again for all your help, i know I would never have got so far if it wasnt for this brilliant site!!!

WOW ok...... firstly thanks to everyone for all your comments and of course we are all entitled to our own opinions but there are a couple of points id like to make. 1. never once have i been abusive to any member of staff at Currys either face to face OR over the telephone, so maybe as you say..you have had the law spouted to you many times...well (a) quite right and (b) i wasnt one of them...I have worked in Cust services for many years (for different companies) and i also know that if i go in all guns blazing..i will be right at the bottom of the pile in regards to a resolution. 2. Just because im out of warranty, the law is on my side...no other way to look at it, other than its UNREASONABLE (under SOGA)...20 months for a 50" plasma which may i add on Samsungs own website under FAQs...."how long do your plasma TVs last"....answer "its reasonable to expect our TVs to last 26 years!!":-o...i think this alone says it all!!! 3. Why should consumers take out extended warranties on products that we are already covered for??? As i said...each to there own and i respect your views i just..(on this occasion) dont see why you...as a consumer dont agree with these laws put in place to protect us all???...and i understand you say u take out extended warranties to avoid any mishap but lets face it...items are not meant to breakdown within a certain amount of time..and thats how these companies profit so much from these warranties, because, if products like mine generally break down after 20 months then lets face it...everyone will be claiming under there warranty resulting in these companies actually losing financially....i bet they wouldnt push the warranties then now would they???

ok quick update!! sent engineers report to currys from local store by manager, stood and waited for read receipt before i left the store.....waited 14 days (as they said it takes this time to scan on system)....said after numerous phone calls it wasnt received....sent again same again sent by manager.....wasnt received sent again this time by fax direct to cust services dept fax machine (number given by advisor) this was on Monday....now Thursday and still no resolution!! another unrelated point too...my laptop had a virus, i gave it into the local store to get it sorted....paid £49.99 for the service and its been 3 days....made 3 trips to store to be told you need to confirm if we can wipe this and that etc.."why didnt u phone and ask" we did they said...ummm no...no missed calls on my mobile??? it will be another 20 mins...ok ill nip to ASDA, 1 hour later, we still need to install this and that, we will phone when done....3 days...not 1 call....SHOCKING!!!!! I kid you not, over the years I have spent thousands in that store with TVs electricals, laptops, computers the lot...and this is how they treat you....never again!!! I will NEVER spend another penny with this company...totally lost all faith.... Sorry for moan, but im totally FED UP NOW!!!!

I agree totally, am i right in thinking that it was the Frame that was incorrect/damaged and not the actual picture inside (or is it one piece?) Is it not the case that the picture inside is the "customised item" but the frame is not? its late and i may have missed some vital info previously stated but for the fact the argument is going back and forth whether one thing applies or another in relation to "customised items" i think what needs to be established is if it IS just a standard frame, i would assume it comes under SoGA?? as the frame itself isnt the item thats "customised"??

sorry forgot to mention, it was component failure which caused the screen to go:(

hi all! quick update, engineers phoned today to say the problem is with the screen and it was a manu fault, total cost of repair £600!! im getting the report back tomo when they return the TV which i will send of to currys and hope for the best!! at £600 i personally dont think they will repair this....anyway, fingers crossed ill get a response pretty soon!! Thanks again all Kat x

thanks so much, yeah i thought it would prob be a bad idea to pay for the repair myself lol So after the independent engineer returns the TV currys then come to take it away again ( if the deem the repair feesable) is that correct? or as it is a samsung approved engineer are they not able to just tell him to go ahead with repair? Sorry im having a blond moment - and before anyone is offended by that, i am indeed blond:D its just its the 1st time iv had to deal with anything like this so i wanted to be fully armed so they dont try to fob me off;)

may i add, the 07-08 was just an example i used. also forgot to mention, TC need for its applicants to confirm correct income to make sure they paid yu the correct amount for that particular year. As the £4500 you received was the payment from the year you didnt want to claim TC for and as these payments are from april to Aug (the time you have to phone in with actual income earned) thats why they are classed as overpayment.

this is complicated, so please bear with me!! When you claim tax credits, the main misconception is that if you dont want tax credits, you dont renew the award...this is incorrect, Tax credits assume your annual income by what you estimated that income to be for the current tax year, you are then sent the annual declaration in may/June (around the time you would receive a P60 from employer - if employed) and its then when you change the estimated income figure to and actual figure The annual declaration is not to claim for the next tax year, although this is a result of the declaration, it is however to confirm the correct income for the prev year i.e in Aug 07 you would have filled in ann dec for the tax year 5th april 06 to 5th April 07 stating your actual income for for example £20k(actual from p60) the advisor will ask if this is what you think you will earn in the coming year (hence 07-08 will be based on estimate as noone knows exact figure a year before they earn it) bearing in mind any change of circumstances must be reported so they can pay you the correct amount. so when next annual declaration in received this is to CONFIRM the correct income for the previous year hence the reason it has to be filled in....you would have had up until 31st Aug to provide that information, if not..anything they paid you from 6th april (start of tax year until the Aug is classed as an overpayment - (the £4500 you received) as you didnt confirm the previous years income so therefore no entitlement for the following year and they willl ask for this payment back. You can try to appeal the decision but unfortunately your appeal wont stand as the annual declaration states clearly that this has to be filled in regardless of if you dont want to claim again and tax credits also have TV and radio campaigns to remind EVERYONE to fill in there annual declarations, so unfortunately its very unlikely you can appeal as there stance will be that there was more than enough information out there to fill it in. Sorry im not the bearer of better news, but my advise would be to call them and arrange a payment plan as they will not expect it all back in a lump sum

HI all, im new to this wonderful site and I thought id explain my situation to ask for advice! Like many people on this site (reading through prev threads) I too have bought a plasma that has now gone belly up. In March 08 i bought a samsung 50" plasma along with surround sound, stand and all thhe extras from my local currys store. everything was great until last week when the telly started to click on and off on its own (as a mother of 2 little boys, i thought it was sticky little fingers that caused the on/off button to stick)...well not the case, last friday when watching tv, the picture totally disappeared but was left with sound. Long story short, i read many posts on this site and got clued up on the SoGA and went fully armed as i contacted cust services (should prob mention, i didnt take out extended warranty either!) well that was a joke!! spoke to a few people including a very P'd off manager ..(prob interupted his lunch) only to be told the usual...i had to get independant report discounting misuse etc In truth i wasnt happy as understanding the SoGA states that it is to result in no cost to customer and with as little disruption as possible?? I thought id chance my arm and try to push for them to send an engineer out, and if it found that i did misuse the TV i would foot the bill....typical response....should have taken out extended warranty and no chance will they send an engineer and that i had to get one myself..so i did Guy from samsung recommeded repair shop came today and lifted the telly saying that he will let us know fault and cost in a few days. Now thats my story...now my questions.... if the report comes back stating manu fault and not misuse and i pass this to currys (bearing in mind what time of year it is)....can i take report intro store for them to fax it to HO or does it NEED to be sent, its my understanding, as long as they know cost of repair/fault etc... and question 2...if i pay for repair and its reasonable (i need my TV back, im watching a 19" and its a nightmare lol) can i request refund for work carried out?? Its all really long winded and im sorry, i have went to consumer direct and they told me to right with template which has all been done (i emailed it too as i have delivery report set up etc so i know they have read it..watch this they will say thats unacceptable!!_) so the ball is rolling!! Any advise would be much appreciated!?! thanks in advance for all your help!!! Kat x