Help Product warranty question

[old.user4556]

My projector has started playing funny fucks again - after about 5 minutes or so, the screen starts to flash a bit and then the bulb goes off with the lamp warning light coming on.

I've had my projector in for repair before, Optoma's standard warranty is 2 years return to base (bought in May or June 2006). The first time it was the lamp control module which they replaced at nigh on the two year point (this was April 2008 when I got it back from repair). Now, in Dec 2009 there appears to be a problem with the lamp or lamp control module again.

I've looked at the warranty terms here - http://www.optomaeurope.com/warranty.aspx

According to that text:

Any replacement parts provided in fulfilment of this warranty have a 3-month warranty or until the original product warranty expires, whichever is the greatest.

So the repair I had done in April 2008 is only covered for three months? Surely that's a bit shite? Any idea what grounds for complaint I have the fact the repair hasn't even lasted two years?

 

[Tom]

In this country, the limits that the manufacturer places on its warranty isn't the end of the story. Consumer law says that the product you buy must last as "long as would reasonably be expected".

That means that if you buy a washing machine with a 12 month warranty and it fails 3 years later, you can expect to have it repaired or replaced, at the manufacturer's cost.

The question I suppose would be, is it reasonable to expect that a video projector will last for more than three years? I suggest you do a bit of research to see if it is. I'd also have a look through this:

Consumer Direct - Know your rights

...as well as the Sale of Goods Act.

 

[tris-]

unless youve paid the manufacturer some money you have no contract, so you wouldnt exactly expect them to do anything. who ever you paid the money to is the party to the contract. it is them who would be doing things at their own cost. although if you filled out a manufacturers warranty card and followed the instructions, you have a contract for the length of time it states with the manufacturer.

you have up to 6 years after the contract was formed to claim for damages (repair/replacement). at the point of failure, it is up to you to prove -

the goods should of lasted to this point in time

and

there was an inherent fault in the goods.

the second bit is key. this means that when you formed the contract there was a fault present in the projector. therfore at the time the goods were not of satisfactory quality and so there was a breach of contract.

i guess if some parts were replaced, you might expect the projector to last 6 years. but was the projector inherently faulty when you bought it? youd probably need some kind of expert testing to prove that.

 

[old.Tohtori]

This might be a silly question and i'm QUITE sure you've made sure of this, but what the hey;

Could it be that the bulb needs changing?

They last about 3k hours right?

 

[old.user4556]

Aye, I've changed it. I'm 1200 hours on the current bulb so I swapped in my spare bulb - same problem.

Thanks all.

 

[Kryten]

As much as I hate to say it, projectors are considered a "consumable" item more so than the bulbs to fit in them. They're definitely not built to last, certainly not modern ones.

 

[Embattle]

Besides the claims of 6 years most the time you've got sweet FA chance of proving it, or should I say it normally isn't worth it.

 

[old.user4556]

They're definitely not built to last

Interesting you say that, because I was saying exactly that to my old man the other night - I use it for TV and movies and I don't think they're designed to be burning for hours every day, every week for every year.

 

[Furr]

Surely there must be something in "water cooled" projectors etc, the heat would seem to the be technologies greatest problem, plus LED Lamps and erm.... well that all I can think of right now. Would probably cost as much as a car though.

 

[tris-]

i would say the bulb is a consumable but not the projector.

 

[Raven]

Neither would I, they are also used in pubs and whatnot where they are on all the time. It shouldn't break if you are using it a lot, no more than a standard TV.

 

[Ch3tan]

Those pubs and companies that use them probably have not bought them though, they more likely hire them and do not keep the same one for 2 years, let alone 6.