InspectorGadget: He said wait for the PVR update at the end of the month, or take the $200 ... The Disputes Tribunal will be getting the paperwork from me next week. If I can get other parties interested in this case, then so be it.Suppliers certainly shouldn't get away with selling sub-standard goods, but ... We consumers do not have great protection by the law in New Zealand, consumers in some other parts of the world have it much easier.
You are certainly entitled to a full refund if the goods are not of an 'acceptable quality' or 'fit for purpose'. The legislation is clear, but the problem is really one of how to enforce the provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act if the retailer doesn't play fair.
You can take the issue to a Disputes Tribunal, the process is described in detail on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs website. It costs $30 to file a claim with a value of less than $1,000.
I'm sure that some cynical traders rely on that fact that most consumers won't go to the trouble of making a formal claim, and they might settle for a less than 100% refund. Other traders simply ignore the findings of Disputes Tribunals - Unfortunately the decisions made by the Tribunals are not automatically enforced. If the Tribunal makes a decision in your favour the trader has 28 days to do what the Tribunal ordered. If the trader does not do what was ordered you can go to the District Court to apply for the order to be enforced. If you do have to take your case to the District Court that increases the costs - which you might, just might be able to recover.
Come on you guys in Auckland with a Optical audio drop out problem on your amp from the ET box, its a chance to get this sorted. Call Peter on 027 493 7025 if you can help.
and I have not been back here for at least 3 months. 
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