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[melodeon]

Concerning warranty and  warranty repairs and dealer or manufacturer responsibility..

Does the following statement cover the facts in Great Britain /England?

"And because manufacturing faults are covered by the Sale of Goods Act in Britain, .......... "warranty is pretty much worthless here anyway. To paraphrase the Act; 'goods must be of merchantable quality and fit for the purpose for which they were designed'. The onus for fixing a problem rests with the retailer, not the manufacturer, because it's the retailer with whom we enter into the purchase contract."

Curious.. does this apply to melodeons/accordeons ?  Even if the manufacturer offers no warranty or let's say a 5 year, or 1 year  warranty. ?

Is the warranty offered by the Selling Dealer ? And is this one of the reasons why the price of melodeons seems to be higher in GB than other places ?

[Theo]

Yes that’s true.  But it’s perfectly valid for a willing manufacturer to actually carry out warranty repairs if the retailer chooses to go that route.  It’s still the retailers responsibility though to ensure that things are put right.

[Rob2Hook]

Unfortunately, any musical instrument will be (to some extent) of variable quality.  Even though many parts of the manufacturing process may have been automated and seemingly become completely repeatable, some will be better than others.  It's still true that you should never buy an instrument until you've tried it.

From the warranty standpoint, it is likely that only a blatant defect - such as a note not sounding or broken casing - would be covered if it went to court!  I suppose that is why manufacturers each have their own reputation.  Hohners are basically mediocre across the board, although some have greater potential than others.  Saltarelle are indeed of a better standard (in my opinion), less variation and some are really great.  Dino Baffetti never seem to produce a dud under their own brand name.  Castagnari probably do achieve the most consistent quality standard, though I did once play a "Studio" in a shop which I would have advised anyone to avoid.  They all sell to their own market.  Not everyone can afford the instrument they really want, though some of us might buy a Hohner knowing that it will be a disappointment until a specialist fettler has set and tuned the reeds to get as close as they can to the pre-war Hohner standards (Clubs are generally wonderful).  But if you mail order a box and it turns out to be lifeless and with "iffy" tuning, you are at the mercy of the seller's conscience and capabilities.  Happily all the fettlers who inhabit this forum have both the conscience and the capability to fix the boxes they sell.

One of the problems I have with high street music shops is that they often suggest you should leave an instrument with them for repair and will not tell you who they intend to send it to.  It does mean that often the most cost effective cure for any problem is to thoroughly research the trade and go direct to the repairer. After all, if the tuning is less than perfect and some spot tuning is required it is also an opportunity to have a full reed service done and get the exact tremolo you want.  It is amazing how this can breathe life into even a brand new box.

Rob.

[Theo]

Unfortunately, any musical instrument will be (to some extent) of variable quality.  Even though many parts of the manufacturing process may have been automated and seemingly become completely repeatable, some will be better than others.  It's still true that you should never buy an instrument until you've tried it.

From the warranty standpoint, it is likely that only a blatant defect - such as a note not sounding or broken casing - would be covered if it went to court!

In the EU there is more legal protection which covers this.  The Distance Selling Reglations gives the buyer who has purchased anything by mail order or online shopping the right to return an item for a full refund without having to give a reason.  So if you buy a melodeon from a business  you are covered if you just don't like it once you get it in your hands.   

[Rob2Hook]

True, Theo and in extremis one would do this. It doesn't lend itself to selecting a good example of a particular model, though.  Luckily, I've found that all those on the forum I've had dealings with are capable players in their own right and a quick phone call is likely to eliminate any dogs as they can then understand what one's expectations are.  In fact, a high street store might be more difficult to deal with as the salesman may not be a player.

In truth, the only box I've ever acquired that I am not happy with was from a friend!  To be fair, it was part of a deal involving several items...

Rob.

[melodeon]

Thanks for the replies .

[Steve C.]

I know that here in the States the UCC Warrant of Merchantibility is great on paper but a good waste of time, consumer-wise.  Unless big ticket item worth the lawyers!  Great stories to be had about the "as is" exclusions!!! 

[Marje]

If there's manufacturer's warranty, the Sale of Goods Act doesn't invalidate this (or vice versa). But it is the dealer who is answerable in the first place if the item is not fit for purchase or if it gives problems before what would be considered a reasonable time has elapsed. The length of this time depends somewhat on the item: a large domestic appliance would be expected to last for longer than a year, whereas a can-opener might not.

If the manufacturer offers, say, a five-year warranty, that might be your best source of redress after the first year or so.

Have you a specific problem, or are you just checking out your position before making a purchase? Best not to name individual dealers or manufacturers, I guess.

[melodeon]

Are you referring to me, as the originator of the thread?
I am in the Sates.. and we have different rules, regulations and laws as pertain to warranty.

If you buy , as an example, a specific brand  Italian made accordion from a dealer... you can get various answers from three different dealers.
I do business with only one dealer because of their interpretation/explanation/servicing of a warranty.

I have had unfortunate experiences with Euro dealers buying new accordeons and having them shipped, so will not do that again.

Castagnari offers a vague warranty if purchasing directly from  them.. it usually involves returning the accordeon to them at your expense and they will repair and send it back to you at your expense.  Leaving you to , in my case, pay a US tech to repair or do it yourself. I have done both.

[Steve C.]

Melodeon warrantee = third rail item