Desert Orchid
Senior Jockey
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2005
- Messages
- 25,024
Yesterday I printed off a 4-page document. The ink gradually faded to nothing. Time for a new cartridge, I thought.
To give you an idea of how little I use the printer (three or four pages of black type per week on average, I'd say - ie the Saturday cards those who get the email will recognise) the colour cartridges were still the set-up ones supplied with the machine. The black was replaced probably about 8 months ago. So I fitted a new (proper manufacturer's) black cartridge. Still nothing. Zip. etc...
I trawled through 20-odd pages of 'help' at the HP website in which clearly dissatisfied customers were trying unsuccessfully to get HP to sort their problems. Nothing of any use that I would venture to try (soaking bits in warm water etc).
I was sure I'd bought the printer just before Christmas last year so was under warranty, so I phoned HP and was eventually talked through technical support by a very nice chap called Brian. He got me to go into 'hidden' menus to do a deep clean of the print-head - apparently much more powerful than the normal one. Still no joy.
"OK, Maurice, I can tell you we've tried everything that should have sorted the problem and I'm logging this as a machine failure so if your printer is still under warranty it will be replaced. However, our system shows the warranty expired in May 2013..."
When I explained that this was impossible he said that was when the machine was logged as having been sold to PC World and I'd have to check my receipt, etc. etc.
Could I find the cunnt?
I phoned up Which? Legal Services to ask where I stood. They said regardless of what retailers might say in terms of guarantees, the Sale Of Goods Act covers the item for six years (five in Scotland) but the burden of evidence of purchase lay with me.
My credit card company couldn't give me details of any transactions more than six months old (Which? said they were also liable for the machine as I'd used my CC to pay for it).
With a heavy heart I phoned PC World (the store, not the policeman) to explain the problem.
A very cheery girl asked me my name, postcode, etc and came back with the good news...
"I can see that you bought the printer on 7 October 2012 and at the same time you took out our 3-year Repair Or Replace Cover so just bring the machine in and let our guys have a look at it. If they can't fix it we'll replace it."
I then remembered I got the cover on half-price special offer and took it since it was the equivalent of the cost of a cartridge per year. I normally shy away from extended warranties so my guardian angel must have been on overtime that day.
I hope to go there tomorrow but have also asked HP support to confirm they've been through the testing procedures and have declared the printer irreparable.
Watch this space...
To give you an idea of how little I use the printer (three or four pages of black type per week on average, I'd say - ie the Saturday cards those who get the email will recognise) the colour cartridges were still the set-up ones supplied with the machine. The black was replaced probably about 8 months ago. So I fitted a new (proper manufacturer's) black cartridge. Still nothing. Zip. etc...
I trawled through 20-odd pages of 'help' at the HP website in which clearly dissatisfied customers were trying unsuccessfully to get HP to sort their problems. Nothing of any use that I would venture to try (soaking bits in warm water etc).
I was sure I'd bought the printer just before Christmas last year so was under warranty, so I phoned HP and was eventually talked through technical support by a very nice chap called Brian. He got me to go into 'hidden' menus to do a deep clean of the print-head - apparently much more powerful than the normal one. Still no joy.
"OK, Maurice, I can tell you we've tried everything that should have sorted the problem and I'm logging this as a machine failure so if your printer is still under warranty it will be replaced. However, our system shows the warranty expired in May 2013..."
When I explained that this was impossible he said that was when the machine was logged as having been sold to PC World and I'd have to check my receipt, etc. etc.
Could I find the cunnt?
I phoned up Which? Legal Services to ask where I stood. They said regardless of what retailers might say in terms of guarantees, the Sale Of Goods Act covers the item for six years (five in Scotland) but the burden of evidence of purchase lay with me.
My credit card company couldn't give me details of any transactions more than six months old (Which? said they were also liable for the machine as I'd used my CC to pay for it).
With a heavy heart I phoned PC World (the store, not the policeman) to explain the problem.
A very cheery girl asked me my name, postcode, etc and came back with the good news...
"I can see that you bought the printer on 7 October 2012 and at the same time you took out our 3-year Repair Or Replace Cover so just bring the machine in and let our guys have a look at it. If they can't fix it we'll replace it."
I then remembered I got the cover on half-price special offer and took it since it was the equivalent of the cost of a cartridge per year. I normally shy away from extended warranties so my guardian angel must have been on overtime that day.
I hope to go there tomorrow but have also asked HP support to confirm they've been through the testing procedures and have declared the printer irreparable.
Watch this space...
