Car Audio Sony model CD-GT41OU radio/cd player problem

2tiredkjl

Hi all

I bought one of the above 2 years ago for 200 euro. From day 1 the radio didn't work very well specifically maintaining radio stations as I drove long distance.......it operated fine in local driving. Anyhow the radio packed in recently and the retailer tells me the tuner is faulty and will have to be replaced at a cost of 60 euro. Now I think the tuner was problematical from day1 and even though I brought it back to the supplier to check it over on 2 occasions in that 2 year period, he's not interested in recognising it as faulty from new and warranting a new unit. The most he'll do for me is free labour, as he says he's got to pay Sony for the part.

Now this doesn't leave me feeling happy with Sony products which I understood to have a bullet proof reputation for reliability and longevity. As I've owned it 2 years I know I'm out of the normal 12months period for exercising rights under the sale of goods act.

My questions are:

Has anyone else on the boards had a similar experience with this model of Sony car audio? Is this a common problem.........the retailer says not so.

Has anyone successfully got a car audio supplier to cover a repair such as this on a goodwill basis and how did you go about getting them to do it?

Any other suggestions or advice will be gratefully received.

Thanks
Kevin

colm_mcm

The only experience I've had with Sony was when I broke the inline remote control/display unit on my MiniDisc player (jesus, that's 10 years ago), the shop said they'd send it off but didn't hold out much hope of it being fixed. 2 weeks later thay had sent the shop out a replacement unit free of charge.

Have lots of Sony stuff (rarely buy anything else ) and haven't had any problems with any of it.

Would it be feasable to contact Sony directly. mentioning that you've returned it to the retailer twice?

2tiredkjl

Thanks Colm, I'll try ringing

Sony Ireland Ltd
4 River Walk Citywest ave Dublin 24
(01)4131700


and see how I get on. I suppose the worst thing they can say to me is No

Regards
Kevin

2tiredkjl

I phoned Sony Ireland and was transferred to a UK call centre. The first person I spoke to dropped the call but when I rang a 2nd time the 2nd person was more competant. He noted details and eventually just sympathised with me and repeated the message that Sony would not cover the cost of repair beyond the 12month statutory guarantee period.

So the learning from this experience that I want to share with you is 2 fold:

If you have any concerns about an electrical product within the 12 month guarantee then reject it and insist upon being provided with a new unit. Regretably I accepted the retailers response that he couldn't find anything wrong with the unit. Of course at the time we were looking more so for problems in the fitting of the unit and not looking at the reliability of the unit itself........we both assumed a Sony was bullet proof.

The 2nd point is that my direct experience tells me that Sonys reputation for reliability and longevity no longer applies. The premium paid for a Sony isn't worth it. I might as well have bought a cheaper unit for a fraction of the price and would have got a better product. If it went wrong in the 12 month guarantee period I would have the same ability to reject is as the minimal Sony guarantee.

Needless to say Sony is no longer on my list of preferred electrical brands

Thanks to Colm for the reply
Kevin