consumer rights
 

Does anyone know precisely what ones consumer rights are in France?
I bought a new HP laptop on Friday from Boulanger with telephone support (because I want to use French keyboard and improve my technical French)
I am trying to create the windows recovery file, as instructed, and it tells me required files are missing. It also will not create the HP recovery file either.
I have contacted Boulanger, who tell me to contact the manufacturer. HP tell me to contact the vendor.
As it is only three days, does anyone know, can I take it back and insist on a replacement? Can In ask for money back? What are my options?

Thanks for help.

BW

Re: consumer rights
 

When Boulanger was still Planète Saturn in Toulouse they took back a Samsung lcd TV I had had for three weeks and lent me the display one for 4 months until a replacement came in. Recently we got a new tv and Smeg cooker from Darty the gentlemen delivering them dropped the cooker on the front step knackered one corner of it. It was replaced no questions asked.

Personally when dealing with new computers I get all then needed drivers for them then completely reinstall them to remove the un wanted needed bloatware that most companies seem to palm off on unsuspecting users. Only problem is now days that means buying a new windows license as they don't supply the Windows disk with the computers anymore.

Re: consumer rights
 

Thanks Chatter
Way beyond my technical ability. I have had a few years off from Windows, as the kids persuaded me to go with Apple. Bad move!
Anyway, will go into Boulanger. I normally find people very helpful.

Re: consumer rights
 

Personally I would have stayed with Apple products, But each to their own.

Re: consumer rights
 

Just some thoughts. Assume it is running Windows 8. All Windows and HP files ought to be pre-loaded. Are you following 'handbook' or on screen guide? Windows Help & Support menu ought to be loaded also. This guides for Recovery and Back-Up options. Do search via Start option if you need to. Either it is a bogie, or perhaps your fingers are still Mac orientated, but it don't sound right to me.

Re: consumer rights
 

Hi,
By law the seller is responsible for selling you goods that will operate as specified. If what you have bought does not work properly, take it back to the shop, with the receipt, demonstrate what is wrong and they should sort it. If they refuse, quote this at them:
« Le vendeur est tenu de la garantie à raison des défauts cachés de la chose vendue qui la rendent impropre à l'usage auquel on la destine, ou qui diminuent tellement cet usage que l'acheteur ne l'aurait pas acquise, ou n'en aurait donné qu'un moindre prix, s'il les avait connus. » article 1641 du code civil.
If they persist in not wanting to know, which would surprise me, your best recourse would be to contact a consumer group. They'll sort it.
But it's a pain.
Good luck with it,
PB

Re: consumer rights
 

cjm

Yes I have done all that. I do still use Windows, I have a small netbook, so am still reasonably familiar with it.
I suspect that it is the PC itself. Like so many products in France, it was the "last one in stock" so I wonder if they have palmed me off with a an ex-display model?
I am not TOO fussed, as I can still use the Apple whilst they sort it out - luckily I did buy the extended warranty. Which seemed a good deal as it also included 3 years antivirus etc. :fingerscrossed:

Re: consumer rights
 

Perhaps check how the model was advertised. What you are missing is what's on all computers as standard. I don't believe demo models are a downgrade version.

Re: consumer rights
 

Thanks PB. And cjm

Yes i know demo models are the same

Except perhaps for several months of sticky fingers?:eek::eek: And techno idiots like me playing with the keys!

Re: consumer rights
 

Sorry to hear you appear to have bought a lemon, or at least an incomplete system and/or drivers.
Excellent advise here from PB. Take the unit back and demand to exchange it for something else.
I'm very surprised you went for an Azerty keyboard, and I assume Windows 8. Try as I may, I've never been able to get on with Azerty, in fact so many times when I've had to use one (on the OH's laptop) it's driven me to absolute frustration, and prior to that I could barely swear in French. Thanks to many hair-pulling sessions with Azerty, I'm now fluent with les gros mots.
Also imho Windows 8 is not only not worth the hassle, it's already a marketing disaster; even the PDG of M.S. must be waking up every night with hot flushes. It's no longer an inside secret that just 6 months after launch, MS are looking for a replacement OS.
If I were you I wouldn't hesitate a second to change it; I'd advise an Apple product, but I guess I'm biased, and still thank goodness that someone introduced me to the Mac OS a number of years ago. If you have doubts about any price differential, ask yourself how much an equivalent HP laptop will be worth in 4-5 years - if you can sell it. Even after a number of years there is still a healthy s/h market for Apple products. (I recently sold a 2002 Mac G4 Powerbook easily for what I thought was a healthy sum).
Anyway I wish you luck, and take a very firm line with Boulanger for a replacement product.

Re: consumer rights
 

Thanks Tweedpipe. I am unsure about AZERTY, but want to try. If I cannot handle it, I plan on using a wireless QWERTY.

As to Apple, well my journey is the other way around. I do like my IPad very much, and the Ipod and Iphone are very useful bits of kit.

My MacBook Pro and my IMac I find simply clunky, and are undoubtedly reinforcing my use of colourful AngloSaxon!

But I was always a reluctant convert, and only got them because both of the kids use them, and it seemed sensible to all use the same kit. I just got fed up at the way Apple expect you to pay extra for everything.

Horses for courses I guess. I hope Windows 8 is not the nightmare you describe, but we shall see. Perhaps in a few months you will find me back with sackcloth and ashes, bemoaning my inconstancy!

Re: consumer rights
 

I just got an azerty 'puter with Windows 8 out of necessity. Never take your eyes off your laptop bag for one second when you are in Turin. After 2 days am coping better with Azerty (see, you wouldn't have known would you) and it is handy having the accented keys. I am getting on better with Windows 8 since I downloaded a Start button, worked out how to put it into Desktop mode, and replaced the stupid version of Skype with Skype Bureau - in other words, turned it back as close to Windows 7 as it will go. As Windows 8 I found it unusable.

Re: consumer rights
 

I've just listened to a report on CBC Radio 1. "Windows 8 is the biggest consumer flop since Coca Cola introduced New Coke 30 years ago".

MS have said today they'll "fix it" (ha ha) in 8 months.

Enjoy your new computer. :)

Re: consumer rights
 

It's not so bad once you uninstall the incredibly vast amount of crxp they've put on it and make it behave like Windows 7 - it's actually very quick. But it is ridiculous that you have to start by working out how to turn it into a computer that you can work on, rather than a dumbed-down piece of garbage stuffed with games and gimmicks, clearly designed for kids who require nothing more than social media, endless entertainment, and the thrill of being able to move oversized luridly coloured icons around on the screen.

Re: consumer rights
 

Oh, I must get one. Or maybe I'll stick with Apple.