Quick consumer question

[eatcustard]

Fridge freezer dies after 8 months, shop offers to replace (Large chain), will I get a new 12 month warranty with it or just the remaining 4 months.

[eybic]

The remaining 4 months unfortunately, you don't get a warranty on the warranty replacement just the original warranty.

[eatcustard]

Thanks for that, may be better to reject the replacement and buy new again

[eybic]

Not sure if you can reject it, of course you can refuse it but that's their obligation to you so they don't have to offer you any kind of refund.

[TooMany2cvs]

eatcustard said:

Thanks for that, may be better to reject the replacement and buy new again

I doubt you'll get a full refund for an 8mo freezer...

The whole point of a warranty is to put you back to where you'd be if there hadn't been a problem.

[eatcustard]

They did off a refund or replacement. Will try it on, but if they replace then thats fine, can always get a years cover with the manufacturer.

They have tried to fix it twice but the fault did come back (not draining and filling freezer with water)

[eybic]

How about asking them to replace AND give you 12 months warranty cover?

[eatcustard]

eybic said:

How about asking them to replace AND give you 12 months warranty cover?

That is the plan, but just wanted to be sure before I open my big gob

[eybic]

I'd sell it on the fact that this one has had no end of problems and you're not sure if you will trust it's replacement with only a 4 month warranty. If the shop don't know their stuff, they might think you will automatically get a 12m warranty on the replacement. This is NOT the case so you need explicit confirmation that you've got a 12 month warranty on the replacement.

[spikyone]

Surely the correct answer is "it depends on who is offering the warranty". If this is some kind of shop add-on, then it will probably only be 4 months. But if it's a 12 month manufacturer warranty then the replacement will come with a 12 month warranty, assuming it's brand new.

TooMany2cvs said:

The whole point of a warranty is to put you back to where you'd be if there hadn't been a problem.

Replace "warranty" with "insurance" and you'd be correct. A warranty is something entirely different - it's the manufacturer (or a third party) underwriting any defects with their product that arise from poor design or manufacturing, effectively guaranteeing a minimum useful life of the product.

[eatcustard]

eybic said:

I'd sell it on the fact that this one has had no end of problems and you're not sure if you will trust it's replacement with only a 4 month warranty. If the shop don't know their stuff, they might think you will automatically get a 12m warranty on the replacement. This is NOT the case so you need explicit confirmation that you've got a 12 month warranty on the replacement.

Good call, ringing then now, so will report back later

[TooMany2cvs]

spikyone said:

Surely the correct answer is "it depends on who is offering the warranty". If this is some kind of shop add-on, then it will probably only be 4 months. But if it's a 12 month manufacturer warranty then the replacement will come with a 12 month warranty, assuming it's brand new.

Really...?

spikyone said:

TooMany2cvs said:

The whole point of a warranty is to put you back to where you'd be if there hadn't been a problem.

Replace "warranty" with "insurance" and you'd be correct. A warranty is something entirely different - it's the manufacturer (or a third party) underwriting any defects with their product that arise from poor design or manufacturing, effectively guaranteeing a minimum useful life of the product.

They're effectively the same difference, just different circumstances. Insurance covers theft or loss or damage. Warranty covers manufacturing or material fault.

[eatcustard]

All sorted, new 12 month warranty with it. They did try and force the extended warranty, so I said I will look at it the details then take it (I will not).

Thanks for everyone input

[spikyone]

TooMany2cvs said:

spikyone said:

Surely the correct answer is "it depends on who is offering the warranty". If this is some kind of shop add-on, then it will probably only be 4 months. But if it's a 12 month manufacturer warranty then the replacement will come with a 12 month warranty, assuming it's brand new.

Really...?

Yes. If the store is replacing with a new device, then the replacement device will come with whatever manufacturer warranty the manufacturer offers.

There is a lot of ambiguity in this thread. Either:
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the CRA.
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the seller's own warranty.

I suspect that despite all the talk of "warranty", it's actually the former - I would be amazed if the manufacturer of the fridge freezer doesn't offer a warranty on it. Hotpoint offer 12 months, Samsung offer 2 years, Indesit offer 12 months, Beko offer 12 months. And those were the first four manufacturers I picked at random.
So, it's virtually certain that the 12 month warranty the OP mentioned relates to the manufacturer warranty (since a vendor/extended warranty would be rather pointless in the same period). The manufacturer warranty is associated with the single fridge freezer by its serial number; you have to register the device with the manufacturer, and they arrange repairs/replacement directly without any seller involvement.
If the faulty fridge freezer is replaced with a new one by the seller - for whatever reason - that is not a warranty claim on the manufacturer, and the new fridge freezer will have the whole manufacturer's warranty associated with it (12 months, 2 years, etc. depending on manufacturer). OP would need to make sure that the vendor stamped the warranty card with the date on which the replacement device was provided, if the manufacturer requires some evidence of the date that the device was 'sold'.

TooMany2cvs said:

spikyone said:

TooMany2cvs said:

The whole point of a warranty is to put you back to where you'd be if there hadn't been a problem.

Replace "warranty" with "insurance" and you'd be correct. A warranty is something entirely different - it's the manufacturer (or a third party) underwriting any defects with their product that arise from poor design or manufacturing, effectively guaranteeing a minimum useful life of the product.

They're effectively the same difference, just different circumstances. Insurance covers theft or loss or damage. Warranty covers manufacturing or material fault.

You're correct that they cover different circumstances, but beyond that your understanding is mistaken. A warranty is a form of assurance, which is something very different from insurance.

[Sheepshanks]

spikyone said:

There is a lot of ambiguity in this thread. Either:
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the CRA.
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the seller's own warranty.

I suspect that despite all the talk of "warranty", it's actually the former - I would be amazed if the manufacturer of the fridge freezer doesn't offer a warranty on it.

However it's done, the manufacturer will be picking up the tab. Big retail groups treat suppliers terribly - they'll just debit the cost so it won't cost the retailer anything.

Warranties almost always have a term in the them that any replacement is only warranted for the original period. In cases like the OPs however, I'd be amazed if it didn't slip through the net but it could easily be picked up if the manufacturer requires proof of purchase before doing any warranty work.

[eatcustard]

Sheepshanks said:

However it's done, the manufacturer will be picking up the tab. Big retail groups treat suppliers terribly - they'll just debit the cost so it won't cost the retailer anything.

Warranties almost always have a term in the them that any replacement is only warranted for the original period. In cases like the OPs however, I'd be amazed if it didn't slip through the net but it could easily be picked up if the manufacturer requires proof of purchase before doing any warranty work.

I was told on phone it comes with a 12 month warrenty, I have it recorded so we shall see when they swap it out.

[spikyone]

Sheepshanks said:

spikyone said:

There is a lot of ambiguity in this thread. Either:
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the CRA.
- OP is getting the device repaired/replaced by the seller under the seller's own warranty.

I suspect that despite all the talk of "warranty", it's actually the former - I would be amazed if the manufacturer of the fridge freezer doesn't offer a warranty on it.

However it's done, the manufacturer will be picking up the tab. Big retail groups treat suppliers terribly - they'll just debit the cost so it won't cost the retailer anything.

Warranties almost always have a term in the them that any replacement is only warranted for the original period. In cases like the OPs however, I'd be amazed if it didn't slip through the net but it could easily be picked up if the manufacturer requires proof of purchase before doing any warranty work.

In the OP's case there is apparently no warranty claim against the manufacturer. The retailer is replacing the fridge freezer under CRA/their own warranty - most likely the former. The manufacturer's warranty may state that repairs/replacements are only warranted for the original period, but that will be for repairs/replacements made by the manufacturer under their warranty. That is not the case here; the manufacturer does not appear to be directly involved in this, regardless of whether they ultimately end up reimbursing the retailer.

OP has two entirely separate relationships; one with the manufacturer, tied to the serial number of the fridge freezer, and one with the retailer. An arrangement between the manufacturer and retailer, to which OP is not party, does not create a link between OP's relationships with the two organisations.
Consider how it would work if the original fridge freezer had been discontinued in the interim period. If the retailer offered to replace with an equivalent product - which could be an equivalent product from a different manufacturer - would that device only have a partial warranty? The offer of a new replacement product from the retailer is in lieu of a refund, it's no different to OP being given their money back and using it to buy a new product.

ETA - consider also, why it might be that retailers give you a new receipt when you take something back for an exchange

eatcustard said:

I was told on phone it comes with a 12 month warrenty, I have it recorded so we shall see when they swap it out.

The only advice I would give is to make sure that the retailer stamps & dates any warranty card that comes with the replacement, showing the date that it is delivered as the date of purchase. That way if you suffer future failures within the warranty period, you can go direct to the manufacturer to have it repaired and don't have to worry about what you were told on the phone.

Edited by spikyone on Wednesday 6th December 13:55