Have I been mis-sold my laptop by online company?

[Wyrdsister]

I bought a laptop from an online dealer in August 2009. It was a model that boasted a 5 hour battery life - I needed this because the laptop would eventually be used in my camper van which I travel and live in constantly for work purposes. I was called after placing my order to be advised the model I requested was out of stock but they could send me a 'slightly better' model - they insisted the spec was "equal to or better than" what I ordered in every case. So I accepted the replacement. Once I took to the roads, I found I rarely got more than 2 hours use of it just running maybe one or two basic applications. Now I have pored over various online reviews, I found that the laptop they sent never claimed to have more than 2-3 hours battery life so in my eyes it is NOT equivalent to what I ordered, and has proved unfit for my purposes for this reason. Also, it seems the 'better' replacement is routinely priced £40-50 cheaper than my requested model on just about every dealers' website - including their own! Do I have the right to a refund or exchange for something equal to my intended purchase?

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome,

 

I'll move your thread to the appropriate Forum.

 

Regards.

 

Scott.

[AtlantisZPM]

This will be very difficult for you. Battery life estimate's are always wildly inaccurate I believe most are measured by how long it will stay on a bios screen. Your main problem here is that having the laptop since august 09 so its 9 months old. Most people would view that has accepting the item. I am not legally trained so maybe there is a legal loop hole to this

[Wyrdsister]

I simply didn't need to use the laptop on the battery until I started travelling - I think that is a reasonable excuse for not realising how the poor the battery performance is until now. I think if an employee of this company has told me I am getting a laptop "equal to or better" than what I ordered then that should apply to ALL it's components. The laptop I ordered had a 4800 maH battery, I have received one that runs of a 4400 maH battery and evidently it makes a substantial difference. Perhaps they will maybe just give me a better battery?? Though the machine will be returned as faulty anyway. Incidentally, the first email I sent them has gone ignored for a week now - I have re-sent it today.