Faulty product outside of warranty

We have a laptop we bought from PC World September 2014 and the warranty is for 1 year. Within the time frame of the warranty it started randomly shutting itself down, not for updates or anything, the power would turn off immediately like it ran out of battery although that was not the issue.

Within the time frame of the warranty we returned it to PC World, they took it away, and after some weeks returned it to us telling us the issue was now resolved. When we were without the laptop we were using another one, and we kept using that one, only to start using the laptop which was allegedly repaired recently. We discovered the issue is ongoing, and took it back to PC World, where we had some difficulty even getting them to take it from us and examine it.

They contacted us some days later to tell us that they cannot do anything because we are now not covered by the warranty.

I am posting here because I think I remember Dermot Goode, Charlie Weston, or someone similar saying on radio that consumers should never pay for extended warranties, because we are all covered by our consumer rights for several years anyway.

Am I remembering this correctly, is this the case, and if so what action can I take to get PC World to repair the laptop?

I think you are on to a loser. Warranty has finished by several months. Take it on the chin. Like your username hints Measure Twice, Cut Once.

You are covered for products for six years under Irish consumer law with a couple of caveats. However given that a PC is a relatively significant purchase, it should certainly last more than 18 months!!! Check your rights on the consumer affairs website. Armed with the relevant information I would go back to PC World and insist that they abide by their statutory obligations.

I agree with Tallpaul that it's more than likely he has rights under the legislation but it's a very confusing area for most people. The fact it was repaired and came back unfixed is very telling. I imagine after going back if he gets nowhere he should take it to the small claims court. I think that costs €25 and I'd bet the threat of that might be enough to get them to sort the issue.

We bought a computer and it never gave us anything but trouble. And it wasn't cheap. I don't understand how they can sell things that don't work properly.

I googled and got this

http://www.eccireland.ie/popular-consumer-topics/buying-goods-and-services/

In Ireland, there is limitation period of six years within which a consumer can bring an action against a trader for ‘the lack of conformity’.

And they even mention laptops specifically:

For example, if you order a laptop which turns out to have less memory than it is supposed to have, the problem may not be obvious to you immediately, but it is still an inherent fault in the product which the trader must remedy if you discover it within the limitation period.

Research the "Sale of Goods Act" as this will explain what your rights are in this situation, just because a retailer tells you its "out of warranty" doesn't mean you don't have rights under the sale of goods act.
Check out Citizens Information, they have a good page about it
In my case I purchased a 55" tv in 09 that developed a fault in 12 and through the "sale of goods act" I was able to get the newer version of my tv €2300 for a token gesture of €300.

measuretwice said:

They contacted us some days later to tell us that they cannot do anything because we are now not covered by the warranty.

Click to expand...

The warranty does not limits your rights. I would expect a laptop to last more than a year without exhibiting hardware problems and as such I'd continue argue the case with the retailer.

As stated above, you do indeed have rights beyond a manufactures warranty which is in addition to your statute rights, not instead of.

I got the same old "flannel" from Power City over a 2 1/2 year old washing machine, but I stood my ground, was nice and polite, but "insistent", with the result that the machine was repaired FOC. As a retailer they have a duty of care to the customer for the life expectancy of the item purchased.

The maddening part of all this is that the retailer generally knows this but will try to wriggle out of it, stating this "out of warranty" crap.

In addition to the above, a repair carried out under warranty is expected to be a permanent fix. It the same issue has reoccurred, then they have not successfully resolved the issue, and you are entitled to resolution.