Warranty claim on Nexus 5x phone at JB Hi-Fi

Lsandman87 on 20/03/2017 - 21:37

I bought a Nexus 5x about a year ago from JB Hifi. The phone worked normally for about 11 months and then in the 12th month, it got stuck in a bootloop. I took it back to JB Hifi and they sent it off for repair. 4 weeks later, it came back repaired… but had developed a new fault.. it would now crash when I made phone calls. Took it back for another repair and was assured it would be much quicker than last time. The repair was fast and got it back about a week ago working fine. Now just a few minutes ago its developed a fault where the screen glitches and jumps around whenever i need to type or the visual content of the screen changes.

Heres my question.

Now that it has developed a third fault, should JB HiFi replace it or refund it. My understanding of the Australian Consumer Legislation isnt great but im confident that in circumstances like this Im owed some kind of remedy to fix this.

Anyone had a similar experience with JB Hifi? What was the outcome?

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Comments

  • Caped Baldy on 20/03/2017 - 22:23

    Yup I had issues with my sony z2 that i got from JB. I think it was sent off three times and about to go for a forth.
    I had to be stern and demanded a refund. They obviously didn't want to do it and I had to have a chat with a store manager to get it processed.

    Look and read up more on the ACL, and bring with you a copy of the relevant section that outlines the different remedies. IIRC it says in cases of major faults the customer can choose their preferred outcome ie repair, replacement, or refund. Since the phone has been sent off twice already and going for a third stick to your guns and go for the refund. No point getting it replaced as it will be another year older and may develop the same faults.

  • AdosHouse on 20/03/2017 - 22:48

    I would imagine that a screen not displaying properly would constitute a "serious" fault, since without the screen the phone is useless.

    Stick to your guns, and don't let them convince you otherwise. If the staff member says repair only, talk to the manager, if the manager says the same thing, be prepared to walk out with the unrepaired phone, advising the manager that you will lodge a complaint with Head Office and your relevant State Authority. Whatever you do, do not get agro or yell or anything, you will likely get no help from the staff/manager, and more than likely they will have had no training in the ACL laws, manager maybe has the minimum training, so do what the above poster said and take a copy of the relevant section in with you, and calmly show them, give them time to talk to their supervisor, etc.

  • apple2016 on 20/03/2017 - 23:27

    You sure can get refund under accc but will it be subject to depreciation as the mobile phone was fine for 11 months?

    • AdosHouse on 21/03/2017 - 04:02

      I have never heard of depreciation on a refund before.

  • Rumbaar on 21/03/2017 - 08:41
    +2

    As it's a Major fault you have choice of how it's handled, look for a brand new or your money back.

    I had a similar issue with my Sony Xperia, and they needed to check if it was a fault of the phone or something I caused. Allowed them to check and it was a phone fault, and they went ahead and repaired it. I didn't except this as an option (never agreed to a repair option), due to a major fault, and they replaced the phone on the spot.

  • sandman87 on 21/03/2017 - 12:30

    Thanks for your advice. Got it sorted :)

    • blackmanshade on 21/03/2017 - 13:53

      what was the result… finding myself in a similar position with my HTC

      • sandman87 on 21/03/2017 - 17:20

        Mixed. Despite having been repaired two times and needing a third they said "usually we only replace them after the third repair". I stuck to my guns though that I wanted a replacement or refund. They eventually gave me the option. However they had no stock of the phone I wanted left. I also had purchased the phone on sale about a year ago, so the current price is higher. They weren't willing to budge. Also only gave me the option of a refund as store credit. I was just over it, so I just got a phone with them.

        So yeah you can get a refund or replacement, but be sure to come armed with documentation and highlighted copies of relevant ACL documents.
        I'm sure that if I was more determined I could have had a cash refund, but I couldnt be arsed after having my phone break 3 times in about 4 weeks.

        Best of luck!

        p.s. I reckon speak directly with the manager. It probably wont be a quick transaction

        • AdosHouse on 22/03/2017 - 02:05

          Refuse to refund in the method you paid = illegal.

          You and I must be opposites. You couldn't be arsed being determined to demand a refund after it has broken 3 times in 4 weeks. That would just make me more determined.

        • sandman87 on 22/03/2017 - 13:30

          @AdosHouse: In most circumstances it would make me more determined… but being a university masters student, working part time, and expecting a kid… time isn't really something I have a lot of.

        • AdosHouse on 22/03/2017 - 14:16
          +1

          @sandman87:

          Yeah fair enough, I wasn't judging you.

          Also congrats on the kid.

  • wiltonson on 06/06/2017 - 15:56
    +2

    Hi guys

    Just trying to find out if Nexus 5X purchased from JB Hifi has 1 year or 2 year warranty? My dad's phone just went bootloop at 14 months old. JB claimed that manufacturer warranty is 1 year only and the 2 year thing is a grey area.

    I can't find the jb hifi webpage for nexus 5x anymore as I believe it stated 2 year warranty on the specification page. Anyone still has that page backup or can provide some guidance about 2 year warranty for nexus 5x?

    • sandman87 on 07/06/2017 - 08:13
      +2

      Hey Wiltonson,

      When I purchased my Nexus 5x at JBHiFi, it had a two year warranty. When it went into bootloop, I took it back to them and they just kept repairing it. When I put my foot down and said I wanted it to be replaced, they said to me "it's only got a one year warranty but we will be generous and give you a store credit".

      Regardless of what the warranty term is, the Australian Consumer Law gives you sufficient protection in a case like this. You should reasonably expect that a phone should last at least 2 years (the average length of a contract) and not to mention the fact that all Nexus 5x's will eventually get this problem due to shoddy workmanship on LG's part (https://www.xda-developers.com/lg-bootloop-lawsuit-adds-nexu…).

      Take the phone back, with your receipt, a copy of Australian consumer law with relevant parts of legislation highlighted, a copy of this document (https://www.jbhifi.com.au/Documents/Consumer%20Warranties%20…), and an uncompromising attitude. Tell the manager politely that you won't be leaving the store until you have a replacement phone in your hands.

      Look forward to hearing how you go :)

      • wiltonson on 30/08/2017 - 13:36

        Since handing over my phone to them in May 2017, JB Hifi is still telling me the phone is still being repair. I think I'm going to the store and demand a store credit. Isn't it excessive that they are still fixing it after 3 months?

        The JBHIFI consumer guarantees is pointing to warranty period of 1 year only if the price of item is below $500. I bought it when it's on sale March 2011 for $447. Sandman87 Did you pay more than $500 for yours?

        • sandman87 on 30/08/2017 - 15:26

          The document that JB Hifi created about consumer warranties is designed to be confusing and misleading. You have shitloads of rights under the ACL. If you have been waiting for three months I would say its the stores problem not the repairer. Their back office may have lost track of it. I would go into the store and politely demand a solution that does not require you to wait for a repair. Three months is not acceptable.

          I bought mine for $447. This didnt really make any difference for me.

        • sandman87 on 05/09/2017 - 11:46

          Have any luck with your phone?

        • wiltonson on 06/09/2017 - 13:01

          @sandman87:
          Ya I just received the phone yesterday. Invoice showed the PCB has been replaced. Haven't got the time to test it yet but I wonder if I should sell it now.

        • sandman87 on 06/09/2017 - 20:43

          @wiltonson: Thats what they did with my phone about three times. If its like mine, it will have more problems very soon. Up to you if you wanna sell it, but theres a good chance it will be a dud for the person who buys it. Be sure to keep all records of the repair in case something else happens to it.

  • bkoolrocks on 27/06/2017 - 15:55

    my phone wh was bought from JB last year just started giving me this problem. it wont turn on. no red lights nothing, absolutely black screen. Tried connecting to power and turning on and even tried to get to recovery mode, no luck.

    should I take this straightaway to JB and ask for a refund?

    EDIT: just rang them and they said they would need to send it for repair and it would take 4-6 weeks. Now, I dont even have a backup phone..how good is that?

  • bkoolrocks on 28/06/2017 - 09:04
    +1

    I have given the phone for repair yesterday at JB. lets see how it goes.

    • gimli on 01/07/2017 - 20:38

      good luck

    • wiltonson on 30/08/2017 - 13:37

      Hi bkoolrocks, did you get your phone repair yet? I'm still waiting for mine since May so it's coming to 4 months in September

      • bkoolrocks on 30/08/2017 - 14:28

        i got it repaired quickly in a month or so and immediately i sold it :-)

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