WARNING: Manufacturer Warranty not valid when item purchased on eBay

[fcosenti]

Hi folks,

I have been just stung by something that I was unaware about manufacturer warranty.

I purchased 2 x Philips AirFlossers brand new and sealed in a box from an individual within Australia. He had very good feedback.

I received one correct model HX8211/06, and one wrong one (Older one HX8111). Long story short, I ended up having to go through a refund since the seller became unresponsive after I returned the incorrect item to him. So, I got my money back and I left negative feedback.

3 months later, the "good" item HX8211/06 stops working. On the Philips website, they offer 2 years warranty. I call Philips and they say that since the purchase has been made on eBay on a non-authorised reseller, my warranty is void and they will not honour it.

eBay and Paypal also refused to help since 3 months is past all their buyer protection timeframes.

Therefore guys - please check VERY CAREFULLY warranty terms when you buy something brand new on eBay.

[springyzone]

Thanks for the heads up.

I think there are a lot of items like this, where getting a warranty honoured might be difficult or impossible.

I have seen thermomixes on sale on ebay (usually sent from ovrseas) but the official website specifically says there is no warranty in Australia unless you buy from them direct.

I suppose some people think a $200 saving on a $2000 purchase is worth the risk but I doubt I would.

Ebay just doesn't seem like the ideal place to buy electricals, electronic items, phones etc.

[fcosenti]

I use eBay because it is convenient and allows me to purchase the exact item and model that I want. But you are right, from now on I will be wary to purchase any item that can break during its warranty period.

In the case of the AirFlosser, I wanted the latest more powerful HX8211/06 and I wasn't able to find it through normal resellers.

I know that some eBay authorised resellers are stating warranty terms on the sale page itself - I will limit myself to those.

[springyzone]

I suppose if you pick your seller very carefully, it may work out. I believe some of the big stores/ companies are also advertising on ebay so I assume their warranties would be the same as someone who walked into one of their stores and bought.

[lane-ends]

Be aware many "new" items that are not sold via authorized dealers are simply unused stock bought by resellers. They have no right of return via their suppliers either. As such are only covered to the same degree as any other preowned item.

[fcosenti]

Indeed. One more reason to be extra careful.

As I said, unfortunately here in Australia, even in a massive City like Sydney, choice is generally quite poor through standard retailers.

You see the new model advertised all over and you don't want to spend the same money for an older one in stock.

[beautysecretfashion]

What happened re the 180 day ebay protection??

I was of the understanding buyers had 180 days to make a claim now.

[fcosenti]

@beautysecretfashion wrote:

What happened re the 180 day ebay protection??

I was of the understanding buyers had 180 days to make a claim now.

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Nope, there is no such a thing.

eBay and PayPal refund and intervene only if the item arrives damaged, it doesn't arrive at all OR it is not as described. When the items has been working for 3 months, you can ONLY claim manufacturer warranty, and most manufacturers nowadays void any warranty as soon as they see this as eBay purchase, not unless made from an authorised reseller.

[the_pooze]

Do yourself a favour and check the ACCC website regarding your warranty rights as I think (relying on memory here) the manufacturer cannot impose a warranty condition that limits or removes your rights.

Where you may come up against a brick wall is if the item is considered to be second hand under the warranty terms if it was through a "backyard dealer" or if was purchased "at auction".

Just have a good look through the ACCC info and even give them a call just to make 100% certain you have no recourse with the manufacturer before giving up.

[phorum_junkie*]

Since when has a manufacturer been responsible for anything during the statutory warranty period for a piece f equipment, it is the seller who is responsible and if the item is new and the seller is an Australian registered business then the OP should complain to Fair Trade, They can also try their bank for a chargeback if it is within the banks time limit and they paid by credit card. Some limit it to 90 days, some to a year.

Usually for a manufacturer's warranty you have to register the product within so many days of buying it, no registration card/form should give you a clear indication that there will be no warranty.