Toshiba R15 Keyboard Unit

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Trkstr

23 posts

Geek

Topic # 8743 26-Jul-2006 21:08

I've been looking everywhere to get hold of a whole keyboard unit for my beloved Toshiba Satellite R15 which is, im sorry to say, beginning to shed keys on its keyboard. Unfortunately, it is out of its warranty so the only option would be to find a keyboard.

Any help would be very much appreciated :)

GingerNinja

51 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 42603 27-Jul-2006 17:58

How old exactly is this laptop?

The reason I ask is that the Consumer Guarantees Act states that products must be fit for their purpose for a reasonable length of time. The lates Consumer magazine just had an article on appliance reliability, including life expectancy. In their opinion the life expectancy for computers is 5 years. So if your laptop is less than 5 years old you should be able to get the keyboard fixed by the retailer, at no cost to yourself, as it isn't exactly fit for purpose if the keys are coming off. Manufacturers often have a minimal period in which their product is covered, but they can't opt out of their responsibilities under the CGA.

The CGA also takes price into account, so an expensive laptop should last a lot longer than a cheap one. The CGA also covers spare parts - manufacturers and importers must still hold spares for the reasonable life of the appliance, unless you're told before you buy the product.

Of course, this all only applies if you bought the laptop yourself, and not through a business (which aren't covered by the CGA).

I hope this helps.

Trkstr

23 posts

Geek

Reply # 42606 27-Jul-2006 20:12

No the laptop is definitely nowhere near 5 years old. However i did by the unit from a store which i believe to have been a parallel imports store in which case i thought the CGA had a bit of a gray area. The original warranty for the laptop was for about 4 months. Although, being a retailer, they should still at least follow the laws of the land, so to speak. I might take it up with them but, me, being an impatient bastard, does not want to be without his lappy for long :)

tonyhughes

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Reply # 42628 28-Jul-2006 00:19

parallel imported has no bearing on CGA, as the retailer is still liable under the CGA regardless of the warranty period they give, and whether or not the goods are imported, or obtained from the actual manufacturer/distributor here in NZ.

4 months is cr@p. The CGA would guarantee you at LEAST 2 years even on a cheap laptop, im sure of it.

jpwise

575 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 42705 28-Jul-2006 12:32

I'm somewhat of the other opinion. From the business point of view the product you sell has a warranty. A guarantee against defects for a limited amount of time. You're aware of that when you purchase it, and given you bought it one would have to expect that you've accepted that. If it has a problem within the warranty timeframe, the warranty allows you to get it repaired without cost. If it has a problem once it's out of warranty, well, it happens. Other than that you can take it into a service centre and get a quote to repair.

The R15 is an American model which wasn't released in New Zealand (as far as I'm aware).
The R10 however was released in New Zealand and the keyboard should be compatible. So for sub $100 you should be able to purchase a replacement keyboard. Plus a bit of labour if you have it fitted for you.

Jp.

Working for Service Plus - www.serviceplus.co.nz

Authorised Service Agent for Apple, BenQ, Sony, and Toshiba - warranty & non-warranty repairs.

GingerNinja

51 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 42708 28-Jul-2006 13:12

The problem in NZ is that a lot of retailers aren't aware of their legal obligations under the CGA (and also the FTA), but a lot of consumers aren't aware either.

Retailers cannot opt out of the CGA by having ridiculously short warranty periods, but sometimes they take advantage of naive consumers to avoid having to repair/replace substandard products they sold.

Trkstr, you should insist that they either repair the keyboard or ask for a full refund, which you are entitled to do. And the repair should be done in a reasonably short period for something so straightforward. If they argue you could always threaten to report them to Fair Go, or the Consumer's Institute (if you're a member), or the commerce commission.

tonyhughes

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Reply # 42713 28-Jul-2006 13:45

jpwise: I'm somewhat of the other opinion. /snip/ You're aware of that when you purchase it, and given you bought it one would have to expect that you've accepted that. If it has a problem within the warranty timeframe, the warranty allows you to get it repaired without cost. If it has a problem once it's out of warranty, well, it happens. Other than that you can take it into a service centre and get a quote to repair.

That doesnt change the fact that the CGA in many cases, by law, gives you a much longer warranty period than offered by the retailer or manufacturer.