Disgusted with www.overclockers.co.uk

[Jay]

I have had 3 items from OC in total 2 faulty graphics cards one to replace the inital RMA and now a watercooler that leaked after a few hours taking out 2 of my memory slots (could have been MUCH worse!)

I called overclockers about the faulty water cooler and they took my order number looked on the computer and said"oh yer, we have a faulty batch, sorry"

they have a fulty batch of water coolers!!!! The water was P*ssing out of the water block due to what looks like a faulty seal failing after a few hours of use (past the test phase)

I am very very lucky it didn't take the entire system out but dual channel is now a no go due to the damage to the memory slots.

Give them their dues, hey did admit it and did offer a full refund, but I still need to post it back to them.

[Robert]

Where abouts in St.Helens are you mate?

I've had nothing but trouble with OcUK, so I stick with Scan now or Kustom PCs as they have had a stonking deal on the Silverstone TJ10B-W.

[Jay]

Near the Saints ground.

[Robert]

Down the road from me then.

[Jay]

where are you?

[Robert]

Just off Bleakhill road

[Jay]

lol

really close.

[Magnets]

That's really irresponsible of them to not inform customers about it.
Are they going to provide compensation/replace your broken mobo?

Stick to Scan

[Jay]

no, infact I have to pay for shipping back to them

[jackvdbuk]

im sure the company is supposed to pay for return postage if the item is found to be faulty..

[ps3ud0]

If they have admitted they have supplied a faulty part - surely any damage caused by said part should be covered by them or in particular the manufacturer...

Im unsure about recalls on computer parts, but I would have thought it makes sense that something like a faulty water cooler would need to be recalled especially if it a fault on its integrity...

Im sure a small claims court case would see in your favour...

ps3ud0

[staffsMike]

indeed, at least threaten them with a smalls claims court hearing and see what comes of it.

[Jay]

I'll give them a call and see what they say.

[ps3ud0]

Before you do, list and establish the facts as any uncertainty on your behalf will just give them the opportunity to either disregard your argument or off-load onto the manufacturer (we arent debating whose in the wrong between the retailer or manufacturer - its just usually easier to deal with the retailer since you have a 'contract' with them when you bought the part; its their prerogative to deal with the manufacturer on their own behalf, not yours).

How was the fault described? Is it superfluous or actually impacting the function of the product?
When was the fault known?
What explanation did they give regards a potential recall or notifying customers? Why didnt they notify anyone considering the component and its usage? Ignore the fact that water cooling effectively means you are running your system outside 'normal' conditions and warranties, since if the part wasnt inherently faulty, they cant prove it would effect your other components in a detrimental way...
Take any photos of the damage and perhaps log details of install/tests so forth to prove you installed it as per recognised standards/instructions and the same to indicate the damage incurred.

Common sense dictates that if the part was faulty which affected its function and in turn caused consequential damage to your system then realistically its understandable for you to expect compensation to replace the said sold faulty part and the additional damage/costs.

You need to prove from your behalf that the part was inherently faulty which should be derived from both the acknowledgment of the fault by the retailer and that your system before installation was working perfectly and subsequently it isnt now.

You should also advise them of your expectation of resolution, be realistic but specific. From the post above it seems you need replacement water cooler, motherboard and RAM(?!?) or compensation to the same effect (including transit costs incurred). To qualify this amount it seems sensible to use their webshop to delineate the exact replacement parts (or of similar quality) or the market value of these parts. Be a great idea to have to hand any receipts of how much these parts originally cost you in case they try and say your expectations arent realistic. Its irrelevant that these parts are 'used' as you have to factor in how much it will cost to replace them to the same standard...

With any complaint just be direct and polite with a reasoned argument/response. Personally I wouldnt use the threat of small claims court until you have entered into discussions - just make sure to log all conversations and emails in case you have to go down that avenue though...

GL and HTH

ps3ud0

[HSK]

very bad...they should pay for everything.

[this_is_gav]

When PSUs fail companies don't replace the other components they can take out. Hiper would have long-ago died if that was the case. What's different in this case? Are you sure the bloke on the phone didn't just say it to get you off the phone ASAP? Are there any other recorded cases anywhere else to support what he said? How do you know that the first few recorded case they had wasn't just reported 3 hours before you called?

OcUK are an easy target given their past, especially here, but would any other etailer have treated you differently? Can you honestly see Scan, ebuyer or Dabs calling you up saying they'd had a couple of faults reported so you'd best send the component in question back ASAP?