What Is Reasonable Warranty Period in Your Opinion for a $60 Alarm Clock?

aussiepom on 02/11/2023 - 15:32
Last edited 02/11/2023 - 15:33

I bought an alarm clock back in February. It is a clock radio with an LED screen and it cost $60. The LED screen developed a fault and I had the unit replaced with the same model. That occurred in July. That new unit has also developed a fault.

I've just taken it back to the shop and, after a bit of negotiation, the chap in the shop has found a replacement which he will get for me. I should get it next week.

However, he was initially saying that he wasn't going to do anything because it was outside of the 3 month warranty period that he said that the item comes with.

Reading the ACCC guide to warranties / refunds it says:

"Statutory rights are not limited to a set time period. Instead, they apply for the amount of time that is reasonable to expect, given the cost and quality of the item. This means a consumer may be entitled to a remedy under their statutory rights after any manufacturer’s voluntary or extended warranty has expired."

What do you think reasonable would be for this purchase?

Obviously, I want it to work for a long time but I know things break. However, I would have thought it's not unreasonable to expect a $60 clock to last more than 3 months.

Poll Options expired

  • 4
    3 months
  • 1
    6 months
  • 52
    12 months
  • 56
    More than 12 months
Electrical & Electronics Alarm Clock

Comments

  • GG57 on 02/11/2023 - 15:35
    -6

    Less than $0.70c per day roughly. Three months sounds reasonable to me.

    • freefall101 on 02/11/2023 - 15:45
      +3

      So I should expect this alarm clock to last about 11 days?

      • aussiepom on 02/11/2023 - 15:53

        That clock comes with a 12 month warranty.

        Explicitly stated in the description.

        • freefall101 on 02/11/2023 - 16:05
          +5

          Almost like 70c per day is an unreasonable valuation for an alarm clock!

          I would expect a $60 alarm clock to easily last 3 months. Warranty doesn't matter, ACL does.

          • aussiepom on 02/11/2023 - 16:11

            @freefall101: Agreed.

            However, ACL doesn't seem to specify a defined time period - only saying that ACL rights apply for whatever period is reasonable. Hence me asking here what people think is reasonable.

      • GG57 on 02/11/2023 - 16:26

        OP asked for my opinion.
        You can have an alternate opinion.

        • freefall101 on 02/11/2023 - 16:32

          I have an opinion, it should last longer than 3 months. Sorry for not stating that explicitly enough.

          My opinion just comes with the bonus explanation of why 3 months is a ridiculous amount of time using the example of another product. Which, funnily enough, is how the ACL examples usually work. I'll try be more explicit and just say 3 months is stupid and it should definitely be 12 months for an item that is priced so highly.

          • GG57 on 02/11/2023 - 16:40

            @freefall101: May I suggest, to be more explicit, that you say "…I think that 3 months is stupid….".

  • jv on 02/11/2023 - 15:38
    -2

    6 months.

    • GG57 on 02/11/2023 - 16:27

      Who is voting down comments when OP asked for an opinion? Crazy.

  • Protractor on 02/11/2023 - 15:57
    +4

    Should be at least a 12 month warranty. Don't shop at the same place again. Review their attitude. Buy with a better warranty when you can.

    • jv on 02/11/2023 - 16:05
      -2

      Nah, 6 months is plenty…

    • GG57 on 02/11/2023 - 16:28

      Buy with a better warranty when you can

      That is the best advice to OP.

  • JimmyF on 02/11/2023 - 16:41
    +6

    However, he was initially saying that he wasn't going to do anything because it was outside of the 3 month warranty period that he said that the item comes with.

    3 months? Unless it was 2nd hand or something it should have a 12 months minimum for new items like that.

    What do you think reasonable would be for this purchase?

    Alarms clocks normally last for years…. If the third one fails in under 12 months from first purchase, I would be asking for a full refund/credit towards something else.

    Put it this way, I have alarm clocks that a decades old……

  • ginormousgiraffe on 02/11/2023 - 16:45
    +7

    I would expect a $60 alarm clock to last for five years at least and for the warranty to be 2 or 3 years.

  • try2bhelpful on 02/11/2023 - 16:59

    12 months warranty seems about right.

    However, there seems to be an underlying fault with these devices if you keep getting duds. I would’ve asked for my money back.

    • aussiepom on 02/11/2023 - 18:55

      If the new one turns out to be a dud, I will definitely go down that path.

      I actually bought two back in Feb. One has been fine. It's just been the other one.

      • try2bhelpful on 02/11/2023 - 21:46

        The one that works might be the exception :)

  • Muzeeb on 02/11/2023 - 17:32
    +3

    I have a doby clock radio that is 30 years old in my shed and still running strong.

    Therefore my answer is 30 years +.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 02/11/2023 - 19:57
    +2

    People who are saying "70 cents a day sounds about right for 3 months" are morons.

    You spent $60 on an alarm clock, the expectation is that it lasts longer than 12 weeks. I've had ulcers in my mouth for longer than that.

    12 months is reasonable for an electronic device of low cost like this.

  • Presence on 02/11/2023 - 20:52
    +5

    I have a Sony thats probably 25 years old, works perfectly. Theres no reason consumer products cant last this long.

    IMO 5 years is reasonable for a warranty for $60.

    If they cant make products that arent e-waste then they shouldnt bother making them.

    • Butterfly Gocha on 02/11/2023 - 21:46
      +2

      I have an RCA alarm clock with a cd player that I've had for 20+ years bought from big w - I've dropped off the night table several times but it still works.

      They definitely don't build them like they used to, mostly mass produced/drop shipped with a stamp on it

  • JIMB0 on 02/11/2023 - 21:16

    60 seconds!

  • Nillionaire on 02/11/2023 - 21:43
    -3

    2 weeks. lol u guys are entitled

    if u have a problem with $60 stuff breaking down, go buy a different brand

  • jonathonsunshine on 02/11/2023 - 22:01
    +2

    My alarm clock radio is still working after 30 years. It's a nothing special sony. Used to be white, now it's a sickly jaundiced yellow xD

    • Protractor on 02/11/2023 - 23:25
      +1

      Made out of human teeth?

      • jonathonsunshine on 02/11/2023 - 23:27
        +1

        Odds and ends…

        alternate comment….

        THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

        xp

        night folks

        • Protractor on 02/11/2023 - 23:32

          "THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!"
          Except………….. I collect human teeth

          Sleep well.

  • saltypete on 03/11/2023 - 08:54
    +1

    The 3 month warranty says it all.
    You’ll get a replacement and that will have a high chance of failing too.
    And both you and the store will give up on the whole thing.
    Perhaps treat the $60 as tuition fees for not buying anything that the manufacturer isn’t prepared to give a decent guarantee on. 👍

  • SlartiBartFozz on 03/11/2023 - 18:31

    I have a Sony clock radio from 10yrs ago ~$100, that was clunky and difficult to use from the first day, but still works with just minor glitches for the last couple of years.
    A 12m warranty is fair and reasonable, better still try to buy from a retailer that offers longer store replacements; Alternatively, buy a $10 alarm clock from AliExpress or similar and replace it after 6m when it dies.

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