Power Surges

[sarah647]

Apologies if I've not posted this in the correct forum but I really need some advice on power surges. Sorry if it's a bit long.

I am aware that power surges can occur and they can cause damage to sensitive equipment, that's why my computer kit is connection to the mains via a surge protection extension lead. However, everything else in my house is plugged straight into the sockets, likewise with my caravan and I've never had any problems with this.

However this weekend I suffered fatal damage to my iPod whilst plugged into a brand new docking station, which the large supermarket have blamed on a power surge and not the brand new dock.

With this in mind, I'm now concerned about plugging anything straight into the mains sockets both at home and whilst away in the caravan. I'm now left with a £118 bill to replace the iPod and I'm reluctant to pay it to find that the same happens in future.

In this instance the docking station had been purchased as a birthday gift just a few weeks ago. Until now I've only used it in the caravan on battery power, but on Friday the batteries went flat so I removed my iPod and the batteries, and then used the mains cable supplied. Radio switched on, so I docked my iPod and switched the 'source' button to iPod. Nothing happened, I tried several times and still nothing happened. I removed my iPod and tried to switch it on but it remained blank. Tried plugging it into the mains charger and my PC but it still didn't work. It had been working whilst the dock was on battery power and was still working when I removed and then replaced it on the dock after I switched to mains power, but from the moment I selected the 'source' button it died and has not worked since.

On returning the unit to the large supermarket it came from to be told it was working fine and it was a power surge that had killed my iPod. Nothing else at home is damaged, my router, sky box, TV and mobile phone all still work and were plugged in at the same time, it's just my iPod that is damaged.

So how do I protected myself in future? Do I need to purchase a surge protection extension lead for every single socket in the house and caravan to avoid having my new iPod (or anything else) fried?

 

[Woody3]

The so-called power surge is one of the greatest myths in the world of electrics. It allows manufacturers to charge you

 

[sarah647]

Thank you Woody. I will return it to the store today and ask to speak to a supervisor or store manager.

I understand these things may happen but it just seemed a bit odd to me that everything else was fine. The only thing affected was a brand new dock used for the first time on mains. I've ordered a new iPod but I'm gutted that I now have to foot a

 

[Mikey1]

The ipod docking station is it direct mains or a tranformer type that then plugs into the docking station.

It is is a woolly one,but i would go back to them and ask them to provide you proof that the testing or lack of it has proved that it was a power surge,if they cannot show you proof then their diagnosis is b*****cks.

Its up to them to prove not you.

 

[sarah647]

Its a speaker/radio system with built in dock, plugs into mains via a transformer type plug. Checked a few internet reviews and almost half complain of problems with mains power!

Consumer Direct advised me to send a written complaint to the store, they should have offered me a full refund in store at the very least.

As for the iPod, like you say, its up to them to prove it was faulty before the event.

 

[Philspadders]

take it back to the store along with cpoies of the internet complaints.Also take along a copy of the relevent section from SoGA as this often helps.

Ask the store for a refund or replacement as the unit is faulty.

If they again say it was a power surge ask the perosn if they are a qualified electrical engineer and to provide evidence to substantiate their claim.

As its a transformer i suspect its fired or if you have never used it , it never worked in the first place.

Stand your ground and hold your nerve.If they ask you to join them in an office refuse and tell them you wanmt thi delaing with at the customer services desk or counter where you bought the item. Store managers hate a public scene .

Good luck.

 

[DerektheSecond]

Hi I dont know if youve resolved this yet but this link may be of interest,It explains and confirms your rights under SOG Act Unfortunatly in Scotland its 5 years

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10632286

 

[flipperNI]

Hi Sarah you could try sending your ipod back to Apple directly i have done this myself and they fixed my ipod free of charge, just put in a note that it has stopped working. Cant remember the address but you could goggle it or ask in some of the stores tha sell ipods. goodluck

 

[sarah647]

Thank for you for all your advice, I've printed it out to ensure I have it in front of me for when round two starts.

I followed the advice of Consumer Direct, to put my complaint in writing to the store manager. They said I need to give them 10 days in which to respond so its now just a waiting game.

Personally, I would love to say what I think whilst standing at the customer service desk in full view of the store & customers and maybe it will come to that, just got to wait for the reply.

Sadly, Apple will not repair the iPod free of charge. Its out of its guarantee period and as far as they are concerned its the responsibility of the store who sold the dock to arrange the repairs. I'm not prepared to pay