I recently went to a PC shop (UK) and had a custom PC built. The design of the PC was designed to a specific requirement; i required a specific performance increase in one program. I asked the shop technician to investigate and provide a quote on a PC that give me this performance increase. Eventually the techician quoted a PC that cost over £3000. However the PC didn't show any difference. He then suggested a different graphics card at the cost of £900 adding that this would definately increase the performance , i puchased this but still no difference. I then went back and asked for a refund on the second graphics card (£900) as it clearly made no difference to the previous card that only cost £300. He's now refusing to give me a refund, dispite clearly seeing it made no difference.
So, do i have any legal stance to demand a refund?
2007-05-19 06:01:55 · 10 answers · asked by thedaveidentity 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
I'm not an expert, and have no idea about the law. However, it seems it would be a good, fair business practice for him to refund your money. You knew what you wanted, he sold this to you claiming it would meet your needs, it didn't, so he should give you a refund.
2007-05-19 06:06:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the shop wrote contract with you stating that this will do "X" and it failed to do so, generally you're stuck.
Also...what most people fail to appreciate is that the expensive hardware does not bring the cheapest and easiest increases in performance. Increasing your memory does that. Think about it this way...wrapping a Lamberginhi body around a low-end engine will not give you more than a few kilometres per tank in range. But, you put a high-end engine (the memory) into a low-end car, you will definately see an increase in performance (top speed).
Having said that...900 pounds? You bought a high-end NVidia card didn't you...
As for the cash refund...few stores will give you a cash refund for opened parts...store credit is generally as far as they go.
Your only real options are complaining to the Manager about the tech...and telling him that you will be spreading the poor customer service attitude of his shop far and wide among your friends, relatives and business associates. (Negative Word of Mouth advertising hurts.)...also, complain to the UK version of the Better Business Bureau - whether he is a member or not doesn't matter as much as most people think. They may have little (direct) influence with non-members, but they can investigate and pass their findings on to the appropriate local or national authorities.
Thin about it this way...you walked into a car dealer and said you can only afford "X" pounds a month to spend on such and such a car, what can they do for you? I can guarantee they will soak you for every cent. They will take the monthly payments, add in service charges, fees, irrelevant services you don't need, etc...
Next time, you need to go into the situation as an informed consumer, that way you can save yourself needless hassles and headaches. In the case of a computer, talk to a friend who knows about 'em...especially if you don't. If you can, even see if the friend would be willing to help you buy it, or build it for you (although the last option has it's own problems).
In court? You probably could get your money back...especially if the owner of the shop has a bad reputation (and you can manage to bring it into court). In the store...maybe, although unlikely. As I mentioned, most stores will only offer store credit, and that is generally for unopened items. If you have a friend knowledgeable about the law, talk to him/her.
2007-05-19 13:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING FOR THESE TYPE OF PRICES?
there isnt a video card that cost £900 in the world!!!!!!(well maybe in bill gates's house!!!)
if there was no performance increase, the card is classed as faulty so yes.
best thing would be to go to trading standards as i think you have a good case for more than a card refund!!!!
:)
good luck.
(have a look on http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/ to compare component prices.......i think you will be shocked.)
2007-05-19 13:09:50 · answer #3 · answered by david k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the shops refund policy. If it is clearly stated one way or another that you can or can not receive a refund then you are responsible at that point. If the policy is unclear then you may have a legal right to demand the money back.
2007-05-19 13:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by Brian C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basic answer is yes, but you can ask fro the whole £900 as you ask clearly and precisely what you wanted, he agreed he could provide and hasn't
Have a word with the trading standards and if you need more advice go and see citizen advice, though they will make an appointment to see a full time advisor to take this on for you
2007-05-19 13:07:44 · answer #5 · answered by The_Informer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You certainly have the right to ask for a refund because the computer did not meet your requirements. The only problem is that you may have to bring him to small claims court it he does not cooperate.
2007-05-19 13:10:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Unless their return policy says all sales final! If it doesn't then go and demand your money back and call the corporate office or whomever is the head honcho for that company.
2007-05-19 13:13:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 3000+ quid computer system????? You must have one hell of a system.
On the graphics card issue, I think you have a case BUT I doubt the technican will move on your demand.
2007-05-19 13:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by James Mack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contact trading standards
2007-05-19 13:07:51 · answer #9 · answered by ginger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.. if its working.. then you cant have your money back..
2007-05-19 13:08:18 · answer #10 · answered by sajirvill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋