Can I do anything - laptop battery problem, dell

Toybhoy

am afraid the replacement battery only carries a 3 month warranty. There's not much u can do but buy a new one as your system is out of warranty

UsernameStealer!

Thanks, thats what i suspected, but i just thought maybe it would be covered by a sales of goods act or something, i just don't think its right that they can supply batteries that only last 8 months ish and then die totally. Ah well, guess i'll have to fork out the dough!

deathtrap3000

Go on ebay. I bought a 9cell for my vostro for only £40 when buying from dell would have cost me around £100.

greg_68

You are dead right about it being unacceptable, my 9 month old 6 cell has just died and been replaced for free.

If that dies after another 8 months I will not be a happy bunny.

Good luck with your claim and keep us informed, it may turn out to a problem for several people.

UsernameStealer!

Thanks deathtrap, yes that would probably be where i would buy it from, although would prefer it to be replaced by dell for free!

Greg_68, thanks for understanding and wishing me luck, i'll report back on any progress i make, if any!

lumoruk

Threaten them with small claims court saying the goods aren't fit for purpose, if I bought a battery and it died within a year I would be pretty peeved off.

UsernameStealer!

lumoruk:
Threaten them with small claims court saying the goods aren't fit for purpose, if I bought a battery and it died within a year I would be pretty peeved off.

Thats along the lines of what i was thinking, i wonder if any of you know if there is a part in the sale of goods act that says this or something similar that i can use as backup?

Thanks, and rep added to all

sassie

tried this on my medion lappy, and they wouldnt have none of it, they said maybe i had misused it and blah de blah cack, now can only use as a desktop really unless i pay the £60 odd they want per year for a new battery

emasu

Gettting my vostro 1400 tomorrow.. hoep it doesnt go this way lol

dxx

The way Dell see it is that batteries, because they're based on lithium-ion technology that only lasts for a limited number of charge cycles, are consumable products, just like ink in a printer, or the bulb that comes with a desk lamp. So, when they fail, it's no different to running out of ink, and they don't replace batteries for the same reason that they don't replace empty toner catridges. You can try arguing the case if you like, but as the system's around a year out of warranty anyway, I doubt they're going to do very much. Besides, what really are the grounds for complaint? The first one failed after ten months, it was replaced. The second one lasted nine months, it won't be replaced because it's out of warranty, and it's ages since the system was bought. As the battery is a non-essential component that has a limited lifespan anyway, I really can't see any persuasive reason for Dell to give you a free replacement. Time to phone sales, unfortunately.

greg_68

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Are you therefore saying that you find it acceptable then that he and possibly others will have to purchase a new battery every 10 months.

I for one find that totally wrong.

lumoruk

UsernameStealer!:
Thats along the lines of what i was thinking, i wonder if any of you know if there is a part in the sale of goods act that says this or something similar that i can use as backup?

Thanks, and rep added to all

okay I've got a better one, put a blow torch to the battery, wearing acceptable protection let the blow torch go through the entire laptop then ring them and say your laptop has just burst into flames and say you think it might have started in the battery compartment.

NOTE: Back up your data first

greg_68:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Are you therefore saying that you find it acceptable then that he and ssibly others willhave to purchase a new battery every 10 months.

I for one find that totally wrong.

I agree my battery has lastest 4+ years doesn't hold the same charge but still works!

UsernameStealer!

dxx:
The way Dell see it is that batteries, because they're based on lithium-ion technology that only lasts for a limited number of charge cycles, are consumable products, just like ink in a printer, or the bulb that comes with a desk lamp. So, when they fail, it's no different to running out of ink, and they don't replace batteries for the same reason that they don't replace empty toner catridges. You can try arguing the case if you like, but as the system's around a year out of warranty anyway, I doubt they're going to do very much. Besides, what really are the grounds for complaint? The first one failed after ten months, it was replaced. The second one lasted nine months, it won't be replaced because it's out of warranty, and it's ages since the system was bought. As the battery is a non-essential component that has a limited lifespan anyway, I really can't see any persuasive reason for Dell to give you a free replacement. Time to phone sales, unfortunately.

Thanks for the post

I just expected batteries to last a lot longer than 9 months, maybe its just my hopeful thinking in thinking that they should last about 2 years, especially as the laptop hasn't been used excessively lots.

You're probably right, and theres no point, but worth a try still the same i think

Edit: Cheers greg and lumor

dxx

greg_68:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Are you therefore saying that you find it acceptable then that he and possibly others will have to purchase a new battery every 10 months.

I for one find that totally wrong.

That's not even remotely what I said, but if you want to put words into my mouth, then, yeah, sure, why not? What would you propose instead, a lifetime of free replacement batteries?

I'm not seeing where 10 months factors into the equation. Since batteries come with a 12 month warranty, for a battery to fail within 10 months, well, since the first battery would be replaced under warranty, that would equate to some 20 months usage out of a £40 battery. Can you think of any other wear-and-tear consumable you'd use every day that only costs the equivelent of £2 a month? Seems fairly acceptable to me.

And yes, I do agree that it seems a relatively short lifespan. My HP laptop's battery is still going reasonably strong after three years. But then, my HP laptop cost £700, and the replacement batteries sell for £120. These Dell systems are around half the price, and likewise the battery. Now, what sort of quality do you traditionally get when you pay the bare minimum for something?

Can I do anything - laptop battery problem, dell

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