Problems with Pc World. Any advice?

Question

Hi. I was if you could give me some advice about some problems I've been having with a faulty laptop.

I brought the product from Pc World in august (about 4/5 months ago) and I've had nothing but problem with it. In the first month, it completly shut down on me leaving m with the dreaded blue screen of death and a faulty screen. Pc world repaired that, but since it's come back it's been constantly turning it itself on and off at the worst moment. I've had to reinstall windows twice and restore it back to it's factory settings (because it wasn't registering the CD-drive, the audio devices or the inbuilt wireless). I've spend hours on the phone to Pc World helplines who just keep telling me to reinstall windows. I'm at my wits end.

I WOULD like a replacement rather than a refund or repair seeing as it's been repaired in the past and I'm a student that really can't be without a fully working Laptop for any amount of time.

The only problem is I left my reciept in halls, in plymouth and I'm in Birmingham and I can't reach the Pc World in Plymouth (no transport), but as I belong to the PC performance plan, I have all the evidence of the direct debit payments and my very clever mother wrote all the details of reciept (issue date/receipt number etc). Would that do as proof of purchase? Do I have any kind of case against them? I know that they can be pretty tough but if I know I'm in the right so can I!

What do you think I should do?

Answer 1

I can tell you that it will go a lot better if you have your receipt.

HOWEVER........
They can look up their system since your a PC Performance customer and have had a repair in the past (its alll on the system).

Dont mess around with a repair (once its broke its never going to be right). Just say you've had enugh of this, its causing you to loose your coursework and you want a full replacement with the new equivalent model.

If the sales guy wont help you; dont faff about - go direct to the manager. If he wont halp ask to use an internal phone and ask to be put through to their head office.

If that dosent work: scream, stomp, shout; sit on the floor and make a fuss until they back down.

Answer 2

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 you are entitled to ask for a refund or replacement on faulty goods - so do it!
The best way to go about this is to Google 'PC World'+'Managing Director' and then find out the web address for PC World. Email him/her a letter direct (forget about call centres or rubbish shop staff) and highlight what is wrong - quoting the Sale of Goods Act!
I have done this three times now and each time got a positive response. A direct approach is definitely best. If push comes to shove, though, you can track down the MD's home address through Companies House (it'll cost you a quid) and you can send him a copy of your email directly to him at home. (No secretaries weeding out complaint letters!) Good luck!

Answer 3

You will at least need a copy of the receipt and the warranty plan. I used to work in retail for Office Max, and on large purchase items (such as a PC) we would rarely completely replace an item after 90 days of purchase, even if the customer had purchased the extended warranty. If the store seems to be of no assistance, then you should start making calls to PC World's corporate office, and be PERSISTENT. The store is required to give you at least a number for a corporate complaint line, and if they refuse, then threaten to report them to the better business bureau.

Key thing, when dealing with any one from the store or the corporate office, remember to stay calm and keep your whitts. Do not swear or curse, as this only gives them ammo not to conduct business with you on the grounds that you were unruly.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

if you purchase an electrical product(or indeed any product)and it goes wrong not by your own doing, then as long as it is covered by gaurantee/warrantee/in store protection plan etc, then they have to either repair it or offer replacement product to equal or higher spec. if it goes wrong again witin the agreed period then you should have the right to either a new product of equal or higher spec or a full refund. if you bought it on credit card/bank card etc then you shouldn't need reciept as they should and so should your bank have a copy somewhere of the transaction, plus the fact they fixed it for you before and would have records of the serial number too. also contact citizens advice and see what they say. i don't think you have to take it to the store where you purchased it either, after all if you were paying them money they wouldn't mind taking it from you at another outlet i bet!!!

Answer 5

I would say yes under the trade descriptions act (if something wont do what it was intended to do) you can get a replacement or get your money back, but my advice is never to buy anything form PC World, go to a small local PC shop, because goods from PC World are over priced and the after sales service if you will excuse the pun is crap.

Answer 6

hi well my friends parents in law brought a PC from them last month and it did the same they took it back and they said it was not there responsibility ,
so they went away my friends husband went back with it said it was only a month old they took it back as a good will , it came back same thing 2 days later they went back and they said it is not there response again so an argument occurred and they have now reported it to watch dog , they must give you a years warranty with any purchase , provided that you have not abused it ,

Answer 7

To be honest, I think you will need the receipt, I'm quite sure that they will still ask for the receipt, well they kept asking me for my receipt even though I had proof with my bank statement. Once you have your receipt then they will offer you a replacement or refund. Good luck!

Answer 8

Hi i would recomend that the hard disk is replaced in this laptop. If you could say what message the blue screen sends may be easier to diagnose. blue screen is normally related to bad hardware. I would not say its software related as you have re-installed windows. Hard disk or RAM i would change first

Answer 9

I'm sure you would have a case under the sale of goods act. The thing is obviously not fit for purpose. If they don't listen to reason you could take them to the small claims court which is apparently inexpensive.

Answer 10

if i was you i would right to their head office, tell them what you have done, CC a copy of the letter to watchdog and indicate this on the letter to pc world, keep calling them and pestering them, also point out the product you have received "is not fit for purpose!"