NS Dev
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 05:38 PM |
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Air compressor assembly fault discovered after 16 months, what are my rights?
Thought somebody might have an answer on here!
I bought a new ABAC air compressor for our workshop around 16 months go, at a cost of around £1000.
I forgot to send off the warranty card (though I reckon that's pretty irrelevant)
4 days ago it started to get a touch noisy and "blowy" and when I examined carefully there was a small blown section of head gasket on the
second stage cylinder.
I was obviously not impressed and called ABAC uk. I mentioned the warranty but they said that the head gasket was a "wearing part" (yea
right, can see that working with my customers lol!!!) anyway so the warranty was no relevant.
Anyway, I didn't really care, I just need air in the workshop pronto!
They were generally very unhelpful, basically telling me it was my fault it had gone for any number of reasons, then telling me to contact the place I
bought it from.
I did this and ordered a new gasket set, £42 plus next day carriage etc plus vat, about £60. (a p155 take in itself but I just need the bloody thing
working)
Firstly it didn't arrive, and after much buggering about on the phone, discovered that the company (GF Compressors) account is on hold at abac,
but that they have now been sent.
Anyway, can't use the compressor so may as well pull the head off. Just done this and discovered that the gasket was mis-assembled at
manufacture!
Its torn near 1 head bolt, and has intruded into the cylinder before the head was tightened down. There is a clear line where the head has marked it,
and its obvious that it was like this since assembly.
What are my rights 16 months down the line?
I reckon that mis-assembly of this sort is outside of warranty as it renders to goods unfit for purpose, and a "reasonable life" for the
machine would have been significantly more than 16 months had it been correctly assembled!
The money is not the issue, its the principle and the fact that they talked down to me on the phone, I really want to kick ABAC uk's stupid
arse!
I think the gasket kit etc plus my own labour to do the work (around £100) would be a reasonable ask? What do you think?
Retro RWD is the way forward...........automotive fabrication, car restoration, sheetmetal work, engine conversion
retro car restoration and tuning
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 06:05 PM |
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Your rights are that any item that you purchase must be of merchantable quality and fit for purpose.
You also have the expectation of reasonable service from that item.
A 12 month warranty is not worth the paper it is written on, as it just means that they will not haggle too much within that period.
You have statutory rights under the law and can claim for up to six years after the original purchase date, depending on the circumstances/value etc.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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Ninehigh
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 06:38 PM |
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Yeah I'd expect something for £1000 to last over 2 years, unless I'd been raping its usage... Also it's been put together
incorrectly..
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cliftyhanger
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 08:27 PM |
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But don't you have to claim from the supplier, rather than the manufacturer??
And that could get really messy. Worth a try though.
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iank
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 08:41 PM |
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Sales of goods act is very powerful for customers. In theory you can claim compensation for any lost business due to the product being faulty.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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loggyboy
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| posted on 6/10/11 at 11:37 PM |
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Length of warranty is irrelevant as the item was faulty from purchase, the only issue you have is proving that. Take photos send to them. Mention
going to press, internet, lawyers etc.
[Edited on 6/10/11 by loggyboy]
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Macbeast
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| posted on 7/10/11 at 04:30 AM |
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" The money is not the issue, its the principle and the fact that they talked down to me on the phone, I really want to kick ABAC uk's
stupid arse "
You know you're right, you don't care about the money: why waste time and energy on a petty squabble ?
Life is short enough as it is. Move on 
I'm addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop anytime.
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