Argos Camcorder Blew Up - not covered

Enda_of_Eire

Hi peeps,

Just need a little advice from some of you nice people here if you have the time or have had an incident like this happen to you, and I have had a look on the search page but couldn't find a similar thread.

Here are the details briefly:

Bought camcorder
Camcorder had software glitch
Returned camcorder, paid extra money got more reliable brand
Have the receipt stating I've already returned a camcorder and got this new one.
New one started making a weird hum for days before I realised the hum came from it, I realised this when it made a loud pop/ exploding sound.
I opened it up, battery had almost completely melted, acid everywhere, somehow only a small piece of the actual camcorder was damaged/ melted from the battery.
It was within the one year warranty.
Argos sent it to the supplier for repair.
One month later I am told me/ thebattery were at fault, battery is not covered by Argos.
Battery is not a cheap double A battery, its a specialised one for camcorders @ 25 Euro.

I highly doubt the battery was at fault, resembled some sort of short circuit, whole camcorder was very hot when I picked it up.
Would have thought Hitachi (300 euro) would be liable, as they can't just choose to just put cheap dangerous batterys into their camcorders,
and are these batterys not like the engine of a petrol lawnmower, part of the product, with some of the selling points being battery life in hours etc.
Well I refused to take back the camcorder (I believe its faulty and could start a fire if I get another battery) and said I won't take it back until I have in writing from the supplier exactly what they believe happened, and what they believe they are liable for here (have them write down they are not covering the battery, and if it god forbids starts a fire in my house at least I will have something but tbh I'll probably throw it away when I get it back because of this. I have to wait another month now for them to return it a second time, should they not have had something stating this in writing already or can they speak japanese and were told by phone!?).

I would guess I'll get caught under Argos stating somewhere they don't cover batteries, but maybe what they say they cover and what they have to cover by law are two separate things which is why I'm posting here.

I'm lucky to have been near it at the time, could easily have started a fire. The battery certainly did not just "leak", it melted.
Would I have a case bringing this to a small claims court if needs be? I no longer have the battery as their was no safe way to store it, I threw it away straight away, but the camcorder has been slightly melted, and the metal connectors that touch the battery head have been damaged.

Thanks peeps,

Enda.

Zab

Did the battery come with the camera or not? If not, did the battery come from Argos?

Argos can't "not cover batteries", all they can do is carve out batteries from whatever extra cover they're supplying, your basic consumer rights will still apply. That said if they didn't sell you it then it's nothing to do with them. However, that would only matter if the battery was indeed at fault.

Enda_of_Eire

Zab wrote: »

Did the battery come with the camera or not? If not, did the battery come from Argos?

Argos can't "not cover batteries", all they can do is carve out batteries from whatever extra cover they're supplying, your basic consumer rights will still apply. That said if they didn't sell you it then it's nothing to do with them. However, that would only matter if the battery was indeed at fault.

Hi Zab ,thanks for you're time,

The battery came with the camcorder, much like an engine comes with a petrol lawnmower. On its own I have seen it can cost around 25 euro in stores such as Maplin, Argos from what I can see do not sell these batteries as stand alone products.

Currently on similiar camcorders information pages on their website the following is displayed:



Camcorder model number DZHV595EB

• Black.
• 23 x optical zoom.
• 120 x digital zoom.
• 3in screen.
• Memory card compatibility: SD, SDHC SDXC.
• 110 minutes.
• AVI file format.
• 5MP digital stills.
• Stereo sound.

Features

• Auto focus.
• Digital image stabilisation.

General information:

• HDMI connection.
• Battery level indicator.
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery supplied. <-- Note this line
  
• Accessories included: USB cable, HDMI cable AV cable.
• Weight 340g.
• Size H5.7, W6, D12.6cm.
• Manufacturer's 2 year guarantee.

The line about the battery above would seem to weaken my case that's presuming the fault was with the battery.

But what makes up the product, what should be covered, liability with supplying something faulty which damages the product itself, lack of clarity, what the law demands of them to cover not what they wish to cover, maybe I bought it in Argo's over a competitor because the battery was supplied etc etc = I'm completely lost and have no idea on how and if I should tackle them further on the issue not to mention the annoyance that it could have started a fire in my house and the battery melted not simply leaked are clouding my judgement.

Regards,
Enda.

William Powell

Maybe just maybe Argos might wriggle out of not replacing a battery that was worn out but one that exploded wtf . Why do you think Dell and other companies have spent millions on battery recalls when something similar has happened? So google to see what the intenet press made of the Dells issues with exploding batteries.

Zab

Okay, well under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, all goods sold must be of merchantable quality, reasonably durable and fit for their intended purposes. The goods sold seem to have failed all three of these tests and so you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement. I don't see how Argos have a leg to stand on here, and I don't see why it makes any difference that it was the battery unless they're saying that you mistreated it or used a different battery.

Look up and familiarize yourself with your rights as per the above act. Talk to Argos and if you get nowhere write them a registered letter stating your rights, expectations and your intention to file with the SCC unless you hear from them within 10 working days.

sandin

If the battery was purchased seperately or purchased elsewhere, then Argos would have a point.

But as the battery was sold as part of the package and is an integral part of the product, then they & the manufacturers are wholly liable. There are no ifs or buts or grey areas.

Lesson is don't buy from Argos.

keithclancy

Very shoddy from a health and safety aspect, normally companies give a full replacement and a gesture of good will in those circumstances.

I'd get onto Joe Duffy.

Cuddlesworth

Small Claims court op. In case anybody was wondering, here is what a Lithium Ion battery fire looks like. And while rare, it can happen.

pleasant Co.

Something in the back of my mind is telling me that batteries have their own little clause with regards to consumer protection... I can't seem to find a link, and it's just a vague recollection of a past post here...sorry I can't be helpful.

foggy_lad

Batteries should last a reasonable time and be durable but they will not last forever and will diminish slightly with use but should not melt explode or otherwise place the consumer in grave danger.

Cuddlesworth

Mactard wrote: »

Something in the back of my mind is telling me that batteries have their own little clause with regards to consumer protection... I can't seem to find a link, and it's just a vague recollection of a past post here...sorry I can't be helpful.

Companies are adamant that batteries are classed as wear and tear. And with Li-on batteries there is a actual defined lifespan from creation which is generally around two years.

But as said above, they should not explode.

wmpdd3

Argos should be releaved you are not pursuing personal injuries.

Argos sent it to the supplier for repair.
One month later I am told me/ thebattery were at fault, battery is not covered by Argos.
Battery is not a cheap double A battery, its a specialised one for camcorders @ 25 Euro.

It looks like the manufacture refused to replace the item and are blaming you for the damage. But this doesn't matter.

I don't understand how you know the value of battery if it is supplied with the camera, but that doesn't matter either.

As it has already been sent to the manufacture, I think you should go to the small claims court. Write to Argos head office, giving details of what has happened as above. Give them 10 days to rectify the situation, tell them if you want refund, repair or replacement. Tell them if they maintain their current stance, you will precede to the scc.

This will cost €15, its not guaranteed to end in a refund but it seems to be your only hope. Keep receipt and all repair dockets etc.

sandin

My guess is it never went near the manufacturer, but someone in the argos service centre made the decision.

However, I notice that you do not state how long you had it, just that it was within the year warranty period. If it was 6 months, then there could be all sorts of reason the battery failed. Near a heat source, or other such reason (not tech minded). If it was just a few weeks the case would be iron clad, but months and it could be another reason not associated with a manufacturing fault that caused the problem.

oneweb

There's no way a battery should explode or leak and for the retailer not to take this seriously is not acceptable. As William P has said, other companies have had recalls for faulty batteries. The 'batteries aren't covered' clause in my interpretation means wear-and-tear, no longer recharging, short life etc, NOT something as dangerous as leaking or explosion.

Enda_of_Eire wrote: »

I no longer have the battery as their was no safe way to store it, I threw it away straight away, but the camcorder has been slightly melted, and the metal connectors that touch the battery head have been damaged.

Thanks peeps,

Enda.

Unfortunately you've disposed of the proof in this case. It might be difficult to prove that it wasn't an unofficial/cheap replacement battery. It would also make it difficult for the manufacturer to track down the batch it was manufactured in for further testing.

Hopfully you'll get some resolve, I'd suggest you get in touch with the Consumer Association, they've been very helpful in the past.

Karl uk

Enda_of_Eire wrote: »

Hi peeps,

Just need a little advice from some of you nice people here if you have the time or have had an incident like this happen to you, and I have had a look on the search page but couldn't find a similar thread.

Here are the details briefly:

Bought camcorder
Camcorder had software glitch
Returned camcorder, paid extra money got more reliable brand
Have the receipt stating I've already returned a camcorder and got this new one.
New one started making a weird hum for days before I realised the hum came from it, I realised this when it made a loud pop/ exploding sound.
I opened it up, battery had almost completely melted, acid everywhere, somehow only a small piece of the actual camcorder was damaged/ melted from the battery.
It was within the one year warranty.
Argos sent it to the supplier for repair.
One month later I am told me/ thebattery were at fault, battery is not covered by Argos.
Battery is not a cheap double A battery, its a specialised one for camcorders @ 25 Euro.

I highly doubt the battery was at fault, resembled some sort of short circuit, whole camcorder was very hot when I picked it up.
Would have thought Hitachi (300 euro) would be liable, as they can't just choose to just put cheap dangerous batterys into their camcorders,
and are these batterys not like the engine of a petrol lawnmower, part of the product, with some of the selling points being battery life in hours etc.
Well I refused to take back the camcorder (I believe its faulty and could start a fire if I get another battery) and said I won't take it back until I have in writing from the supplier exactly what they believe happened, and what they believe they are liable for here (have them write down they are not covering the battery, and if it god forbids starts a fire in my house at least I will have something but tbh I'll probably throw it away when I get it back because of this. I have to wait another month now for them to return it a second time, should they not have had something stating this in writing already or can they speak japanese and were told by phone!?).

I would guess I'll get caught under Argos stating somewhere they don't cover batteries, but maybe what they say they cover and what they have to cover by law are two separate things which is why I'm posting here.

I'm lucky to have been near it at the time, could easily have started a fire. The battery certainly did not just "leak", it melted.
Would I have a case bringing this to a small claims court if needs be? I no longer have the battery as their was no safe way to store it, I threw it away straight away, but the camcorder has been slightly melted, and the metal connectors that touch the battery head have been damaged.

Thanks peeps,

Enda.

Can you tell me the make and name of the camcorder? was it the Hitachi C20 HD Camcorder?

Camcorder model number DZHV595EB

whiterebel

Karl uk wrote: »

Can you tell me the make and name of the camcorder? was it the Hitachi C20 HD Camcorder?

Camcorder model number DZHV595EB

See post #3

Karl uk

whiterebel wrote: »

See post #3

Yeah i thought that, but then saw this...



"Currently on >>>similiar camcorders<<< information pages on their website the following is displayed:

Camcorder model number DZHV595EB" ...

Was she not using the listings from similar camcorders to show that battery's are part of the package?

Need to know, as i need a new camcorder asap

btw anyone know of good camcorders made in 2011 for under £200?

all the ones ive seen first came out 2009

Run_to_da_hills

Count yourself lucky it didn't happen on an Aircraft in US Airspace, you could have easily been arrested as a terrorist.