Alienware Monitor Dead after 3.5 Years, Am I Being a Karen Trying to Get a Replacement?

Lcommiewealth on 01/05/2024 - 13:13
Last edited 01/05/2024 - 17:09 by 1 other user

tl;dr Monitor died randomly after 3.5 years, am I being a Karen for quoting consumer law and trying to get the monitor replaced?

My Alienware monitor purchased Oct 2020 died in April, it powers on but does not display any picture/OSD.

Dell provides 3 years warranty so unfortunately it's out of warranty but ACCC states:

The acceptable quality guarantee includes that products will be as durable as a reasonable consumer would regard as acceptable for that product.

I'm currently using another monitor which is 4.5 years old with no issues, I've never had a monitor just randomly die on me and I wouldn't consider 3.5 years to be 'durable' for a monitor but of course that's just my opinion.

Anyway I've emailed Dell back and forth multiple times alerting them to the fact that I think it's unreasonable for the monitor to have failed in 3.5 years and that it should be replaced or repaired under the consumer guarantee provided by Australian Consumer Law, their last response was:

Unfortunately, we regret to inform you that the request has been declined and Dell's stance remains the same. Dell is well aware of Australian Consumer Law and if you wish to take it further to legal, you may proceed with it.

Computing Alienware Monitor

Comments

  • AngoraFish on 01/05/2024 - 13:21
    +1

    No, you're not being a Karen, but you're also not going to get any further by acting like one from here on. It's time to write it off to experience and move on.

  • YellowDieselGolf on 01/05/2024 - 13:25
    +1

    For me, it would depend on the monitor and how expensive it was. 24” basic screen - nah. 34” OLED - maybe.

    • commiewealth on 01/05/2024 - 13:29

      Alienware AW2521HF 25" IPS 1080p 240hz

      I think it was $455

      • askbargain on 01/05/2024 - 13:56
        +3

        :/

      • dm02 on 01/05/2024 - 14:18
        +3

        Don't think you would be able to make a good claim in this case, if it were $1000+ then possibly (reasonable durability also takes into account the cost of the product).

        You could chance it with NCAT or your state's equivalent and they may settle with you to avoid having to spend money on lawyers going to the hearing, but that'd be at your risk and it might not work out.

  • EightImmortals on 01/05/2024 - 13:29

    How much did it cost?
    If it was expensive maybe a get a quote to fix it from a local repair joint if it's way less than replacing it then do that.

  • mboy on 01/05/2024 - 13:32
    +5

    I reckon 3.5 years is in the grey period of reasonable lifespan of a computer monitor, particularly if you take into account its usage, which for a lot of people is going to be 40+ hours a week.

    • merriweather on 01/05/2024 - 17:18

      Yeah, agreed. It's less than you'd hope for but it's not completely crazy for it to happen. Usually I'd say "don't buy from that manufacturer again in the future" but Dell generally has a rep for building quality monitors so in this scenario you probably just got unlucky. Not much to do about it imo.

  • Muzeeb on 01/05/2024 - 13:36

    Sorry for your loss.

    • commiewealth on 01/05/2024 - 13:37
      -2

      😂 I need you Muzeeb

      • Muzeeb on 01/05/2024 - 13:37
        +8

        It's a pity the feeling is not mutual

  • Fredfloresjr on 01/05/2024 - 13:38
    -1

    Get a new one.

  • bobbified on 01/05/2024 - 13:39

    If I remember correctly, a TV has a reasonable life expectancy of around 7 years. A computer monitor isn't a TV, but I would probably expect something not too far off the TV's 7 years.

    • blitz on 01/05/2024 - 14:04
      +3

      Maybe, but most TVs are on in the evening for a few hours while a computer monitor is on for most of the day

      • kiitos on 01/05/2024 - 14:10
        -1

        A fridge is on all the time!

      • bobbified on 01/05/2024 - 14:38

        Laptops have a life expectancy of 5 years, according to Choice. That's a monitor with many more other parts that can fail. So I guess a monitor itself would be at least 5 years?

        • blitz on 01/05/2024 - 14:52

          I'm not so sure - if that were the case, the life expectancy claim for laptops would be 5 years for the body, and more for the screen. Rather, I think it indicates that 5 years is the expectancy for the laptop screen, and 5 years for the laptop guts. Also, a laptop screen would require additional reinforcement to support being carried around and dropped, and operating in a wider variety of conditions (e.g. dust, moisture). In any case, a laptop screen is not usually on for as long as a desktop PC screen.

          • bobbified on 01/05/2024 - 15:39

            @blitz:

            I think it indicates that 5 years is the expectancy for the laptop screen, and 5 years for the laptop guts

            Agree with you on this. It'll be 5 years for the whole laptop - screen and guts. What I was trying to say was that a laptop itself (which also has a built-in monitor) is much more complicated than a standalone monitor so I would think it would be similar or better. Just my logic - of course, I could be wrong haha.

  • mini2 on 01/05/2024 - 14:20
    +1

    Contact your state's consumer affairs department to see if they can help.

    Dell might come to the party and give you a promo code for a cheaper replacement. Who knows?

    It's a bit Karen-ish, but in a cost-of-living crisis, you can go further if you feel it's justified.

  • Ktimektime on 01/05/2024 - 14:28
    -1

    I have brought an Alienware monitor around that same time too their warranty was 3 year for the bargain I paid it’s totally worth every dollar. You can always talk to them and ask about anything.
    I am waiting for another good bargain but since 2022 seem to struggle to find any bargains… would be great if anyone find any good deal :)
    Alternatively buy another brand if you’re not happy no one is pointing a gun at your head to use the same brand ?

  • eug on 01/05/2024 - 17:02

    Anyway I've emailed Dell back and forth multiple times alerting them to the fact that I think it's unreasonable for the monitor to have failed in 3.5 years and that it should be replaced or repaired under the consumer guarantee provided by Australian Consumer Law, their last response was

    You should lodge a complaint with Fair Trading. It probably won't lead anywhere for you but at least it'll be on record and add one more complaint against their name.

  • jimmy c on 01/05/2024 - 23:06
    +1

    IMO 3.5 years is pretty bad lifespan for a 500 dollar monitor. I would pursue the matter and at least let them know you would boycott a brand that thinks 3.5 years to landfill is acceptable, because it isn't.

  • Sinnerator on 02/05/2024 - 08:58

    Take it further. A post from a ~~couple years ago had some guy get his ~7 year old tv replaced under acl and I don't recall it as being a top end premium model whereas Alienware poses as premium. I think he had to go to small claims court but he won.

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