Soundbar - woofer "blew"... what are my options?

Hi All,

I bought a "named brand" soundbar system about 2 years ago (surround sound DVD system). A few weeks back, while watching a DVD, the woofer gave a loud bang, smoke pouring out... no physical fire, just a circuit of something went in it. All my electrical stuff (TV, games consoles, DVD, computers etc) are on a surge protectors - that is ok - so wasn't a power surge that caused this.

I contacted the manufactures directly (knew I would get no where with electrical shop I bought it from) & they arranged to get it picked up & looked at. Cost of repair is running at about 240 euros (bit less than what I paid for it at the time).

Manufacturer is now saying that it's "out of warranty"... "can't do anything with it as I don't have proof of purchase" (will be tearing the house apart AGAIN tonight looking for the receipt).... I'm at a loss with this - there was no talking to the engineer on the phone today... I was calm, never rude, highlighted that they are a named brand etc etc... but a brick wall...

I paid cash at time... the place I bought it from don't have it on their system...

Any guidance on this?

Jazz01 said:

Hi All,

I bought a "named brand" soundbar system about 2 years ago (surround sound DVD system).

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Forget about the manufacturer or manufacturer’s agent. Your contract is with the retailer. You are protected under EU directive 1999/44/EC http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/c...numdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=31999L0044&model=guichett that gives you at least a two year guarantee. Note you would first need to check how the directive was or was not transposed into IE law. You can get a summary of your rights at: [broken link removed]

Hi PMU,

Thanks for that info... great references there...

All seems to hinge on this receipt... driving me mad at this stage as I've found receipts for everything else except what I need... I'll tackle the retailer again to see if I can hold of someone with a bit more clout... fingers crossed...

Jazz01 said:

All seems to hinge on this receipt.

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I’m not a lawyer, but it is my understanding that if the vendor comes back to you and says it’s the manufacturer’s guarantee, under section 17 of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1980/en/act/pub/0016/sec0017.html#sec17 the vendor is liable to you for the observance of the manufacturer’s guarantee (unless you have received the vendor’s own written guarantee at time of purchase). You need proof of purchase but not necessarily a receipt.

I found my "proof of purchase".... May 2009 was when the system was bought.. After long discussions, the manufacturer is willing to pay for around 48% of the repair costs... need to make my way to the vendor now & see if they will do anything...

I am just gobsmacked that it takes this much effort/discussion to get something repaired which is so obviously a fault with the system... or am I just being totally naive? (no need to answer that )

well final update on this... item is being fixed, with no charge... retailers & manufacturer has come to an agreement... PMU - thanks for the links on that... helped a lot with drafting the letter to retailers..

I think you did well on this as for a sub to blow might sugeest to some that it was being ramped up to the last over a period of time. It looks like you were taken care of once you had proof of purchase, which in fairness is a minimum requirement.