lansbury

Trading Standards at the local town hall deal with breaches of the Sale of Goods Act, if things haven't changed since I left the UK.

hungryhorace

It is? Who said that?

Sometimes it's easier to invoke the warranty, for example my Miele washing machine would have been replaced by John Lewis if needed to be. However, it was easier for Miele to simply come round and replace the part.

What relevance is that? If you keep within the manufacturers guidelines for servicing, then your warranty remains valid. What's so hard to understand?

Who cares? It's the law. It's enforced and shops are - generally - compliant without resorting to the courts.

After a set period of time, it's up to the consumer to prove that the goods were faulty at time of purchase. Have a read of the MSE link I supplied. This is all explained.

It's a great law, designed to protect the rights of consumers rather than big business. I know, right - how dare a government attempt to protect its consumers rather than big business! Outrageous isn't it?

hungryhorace

Trading Standards are generally useless. It's easier to file in the small claims court against a retailer in such a situation.

Michael

If there is no staff to enforce the law, then it I unenforced. You may be able to go to small claims court but that is no different than the US.

hungryhorace

Erm, because it IS enforced and it ensures consumers have rights against retailers refusing to refund / replace faulty goods?

But I guess a country used to big business essentially writing their own laws are never going to understand how the other half could live.

hungryhorace

What legislation would you rely on to protect your claim in the US out of interest?

Sally Redux

Death panels and no enforcement of the Sale of Goods Act. What a dump.

Michael

So how is that any different from the US?

scrubbedexpat099

Good idea to read all the replies.

I have never had to enforce it personally and do not know anybody who has.

Going to very rare that it gets to that point, how often have you gone to Court to enforce a Warranty?

There is no Sale of Goods Act in the US so how would a Court help?

hungryhorace

Erm. Why is this so hard for you?

The US consumer relies on the GOODWILL of a company to resolve an issue.
The UK consumer can rely on the LAW to ensure a company appropriately resolves their issue.

BTW - you guys don't even get compensated if your flight is delayed, even if the airline is solely at fault. In the EU, airlines are compelled to offer compensation. It's great.

scrubbedexpat099

But

Enforcement of Death Panels.

hungryhorace

Exactly. It wouldn't. If there is no basis in law for your claim, it's pretty hard to be awarded judgement in my experience.

scrubbedexpat099

I do remember seeing warranty's where they covered that for the US and Canada in the same document, guess which one was more restrictive.

hungryhorace

Indeed. Amazing how a (much) smarter than your average American (Michael) is arguing in favour of the US system

Michael

I have never had a problem either getting defective products replaced. Within 30 days, I have always been able to take it back to the retailer and after that, the manufacturer has always honored it's warranty.


There may not be a specific Sales of Goods Act but there are lemon laws and other laws that protect the consumer.

I never had such a poor new car warranty as I had when I lived in Germany. I bought a new car and 3 months later, they rear view mirror fell off the window and it wasn't covered under the warranty. Then two years later, all the vinyl trim started coming lose and that was my problem. After 15,000 miles I had a pile of junk and no recourse.