Help UE Megaboom Repair auckland

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Help UE Megaboom Repair auckland

K1Z1

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Wannabe Geek

#272992 29-Jul-2020 14:41

Newbie! Do any of you know where I can get a UE mega boom repaired in Auckland.
I’ve spoken to them in America and they think internal battery faulty but I cannot find anyone to repair it it’s two years out of warranty but was hardly used and Harvey Norman’s where I bought it didn’t want to help. Thank you.

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Networkn
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#2530801 29-Jul-2020 14:53

How old is it total and how much did it cost? You MAY have a claim under the CGA.

Sorry, can't help for an out of warranty repair place, not sure who does it, but HN should know the details of the service center if one even exists? For low value items they tend to just replace these days...

K1Z1

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#2530805 29-Jul-2020 14:57

Hi thanks SO much for the reply. So although it’s hardly been used it was purchased in 2016 so we’ll out of CGA territory. I’m now just going to go out one day and try find repair shop!!! HN spoke about it as if it was a $20 item not a $500 item! Thanks again.

networkn

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#2530807 29-Jul-2020 15:02

K1Z1: Hi thanks SO much for the reply. So although it’s hardly been used it was purchased in 2016 so we’ll out of CGA territory. I’m now just going to go out one day and try find repair shop!!! HN spoke about it as if it was a $20 item not a $500 item! Thanks again.

It cost $500? I'd make a claim anyway, under the CGA. Barely used isn't that relevant, but I'd expect, and I think most people would, a $500 speaker to last 5 years.

How I'd handle this:

Call HN, ask to speak to the store manager. Let them know you raised with the store, the fact your $500 speaker has failed after only 4 Years. Tell them you believe a reasonable person would expect more than 4 Years from an item of that price and ask them to lodge a warranty claim on your behalf with the manufacturer, if they seem reluctant, politely, respectfully but firmly mention the CGA.

Scott3

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#2530808 29-Jul-2020 15:04

K1Z1: Hi thanks SO much for the reply. So although it’s hardly been used it was purchased in 2016 so we’ll out of CGA territory. I’m now just going to go out one day and try find repair shop!!! HN spoke about it as if it was a $20 item not a $500 item! Thanks again.

$289 for the Megaboom 3 at Smiths city.

Generally water resistant stuff is harder to repair. - If it is anything beyond the most simple repair, it is likely a better deal to throw it away, and get a new one. That way, you get a new battery, a warranty over everything & the better tech in the latest Megaboom 3...

I doubt you will get a repair under $150. I imagine most repair shops will charge you for a diagnosis these days too.

Sucks from a waste perspective.

RunningMan

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#2530812 29-Jul-2020 15:15

Have a look at sec 12 of the CGA http://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0091/latest/DLM312813.html

They've still got to be able to repair / provide spare parts as well.

networkn

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#2530813 29-Jul-2020 15:15

If they won't honour the CGA or you don't think you win at disputes tribunal (though in my view you'd have at least a fighting chance on both counts), I'd be inclined to agree that replacement would beat repair.

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tehgerbil

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#2530817 29-Jul-2020 15:35

If you exhaust all avenues, I am happy to try to attempt repair for free in CHCH.

As mentioned above - water resistant speakers are generally NOT considered repairable as they tend to use a heavy amount of adhesive to make them watertight. It would be a swap-able item.

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#2530819 29-Jul-2020 15:38

tehgerbil:

If you exhaust all avenues, I am happy to try to attempt repair for free in CHCH.

As mentioned above - water resistant speakers are generally NOT considered repairable as they tend to use a heavy amount of adhesive to make them watertight. It would be a swap-able item.

I assume that even if you were able to effect a repair, it would no longer be suitable for outdoors use (or for using in the bathtub :))

K1Z1

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Wannabe Geek

#2530831 29-Jul-2020 16:08

Thanks for all this help. Amazing! What a place. Thank you everyone

networkn

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#2530842 29-Jul-2020 16:30

Let us know how you get on, if you need further or specific guidance on how to approach the retailer, shout out, I think under the circumstances you should have a reasonable shot.

Scott3

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#2530877 29-Jul-2020 17:13

As is common on online forum's, there is disagreement between users.

In this case I agree with K1Z1's initial thoughts that a 2016 UE Megaboom , which devolved a fault identified in mid 2020 is likely to be considered to have lasted a reasonable length of time.

Personally I think 4 years is doing OK in terms of a consumer appliance, with a non user replaceable battery.

While there is no argument that the UE Megaboom is at the upper end of waterproof Bluetooth speakers, it is not audiophile grade or collectible piece of equipment. Furthermore the manufacture is not up to the third generation of the same product, so it could be considered obsolete.

While how often it is used, and how it is maintained & looked after are factors, we are now at double the maunfacturers (2 year) warranty.

Here is a court case where a 2015 jag was deemed to have been of acceptable quality, despite a significant engine failure a year after it was purchased as a used car:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300062204/no-refund-for-auckland-man-after-2015-jaguar-suffers-unexplained-engine-damage

But still if you have time on your hand's it could be worth putting some pressure on the retailer. In my experience many retailers seem to have a policy of playing dumb around the CGA, only taking it seriously once it is clear that the customer can't be easy convinced not to press on.

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andrewNZ

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#2530886 29-Jul-2020 17:26

On the repair front, I have recently replaced the battery in my original UE Boom.

It was actually pretty easy. The official way to disassemble it was pretty involved, but the shortcut method I found was very easy.
It only took a single 18650, so I got one with tabs from jaycar, soldered it to the old leads, wrapped it up in Kapton tape, and put it all back together.
All up it probably took a half hour or so.

If you decide to chuck it out, I'd happily pay postage to take it off your hands.

Edit: should have added, I didn't worry about water mine, I figured the original seal would be good enough for me. But it would have been simple to redo properly. It was just a small bead of silicone.

robjg63

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#2530923 29-Jul-2020 18:40

I have to ask the obvious question....
Have you had a look on YouTube for "UE Megaboom battery replacement"?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

andrewNZ

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#2531015 29-Jul-2020 19:21

Looks pretty easy.

You might even be able to swap the cells in the original battery pack. It looks like 2x 18650 cells.

Otherwise
https://www.mrpositive.co.nz/aftermarket-3400mah-logitech-ue-megaboom-replaceme?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvIT5BRCqARIsAAwwD-T13M0kM3cG9QbjgjRB8NPS9wL1RqNWWjiZ0iO9ZgfhJChP_40QJwYaAhOEEALw_wcB

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#2531431 30-Jul-2020 15:08

Scott3:

$289 for the Megaboom 3 at Smiths city.

given that ...

how much is your time & stress level worth.
Its not a big ticket item , not a huge replacement cost

Things in this sort of price range often arnt sold or made with any sort repair in mind . Thats just the way things are now.
Generally , anything without a user replaceable batt is on borrowed time from the day you buy it .

Find someone who's willing to crack it open & have a look (for free) will be the best bet .
Or have a go yourself

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