Purchasing Laws In Thailand

[thebahtmedia]

Does anyone know the laws regarding purchasing electrical appliances in Thailand.

I have recently purchased a computer which has broken after only a month. I was given a one year warranty but when I took it to the shop they said the guarantee is only for 7 days, hence an argument ensued and they said have a look at Thai law, it states that it is only 7 days! Although I know this not to be true as other businesses have refunded me money for faulty electrical appliances in the past.

I have searched the internet for any documents related to consumer laws and purchasing laws but cannot find anything.

Does anybody know where would be the best place to look for this kind of information.

Kind Regards!

[Sophon]

I think you and the shop were probably talking about different things. In Thailand the warranty is between you and the manufacturer, so if something goes wrong while the item is still under warranty you contact the manufacturer - not the shop where you bought the item.

I suspect the 7 days mentioned by the shop is the time in which the shop policy is to replace the faulty item with another one, probably based on the assumption that it must already have been faulty when sold to the customer.

Sophon

[chrisinth]

Was this a brandname computer (did you fill in the warranty in the shop) or was it an assembled computer by the shop?

[chrisinth]

As a matter of interest, what exactly has broken on the computer?

The reason I ask, in my experience, is that if it is a relatively simple fix, then bite the bullet and get it fixed yourself. The way that most shops deal with warranty issues is that they will send the entire computer away for anything up to a month to get it repaired/replaced.

I know it doesn't address purchasing laws, but unless you have something in writing (preferably signed) then I don't think you have much of a comeback

[Shurup]

^^ What they said!

[loong]

As a matter of interest, what exactly has broken on the computer?

The reason I ask, in my experience, is that if it is a relatively simple fix, then bite the bullet and get it fixed yourself. The way that most shops deal with warranty issues is that they will send the entire computer away for anything up to a month to get it repaired/replaced.

I know it doesn't address purchasing laws, but unless you have something in writing (preferably signed) then I don't think you have much of a comeback

This post is absolutely correct.

The shop really is not interested after the 7 days is past. They really should point you in the direction of how to get it repaired though.

Some retailers will contact the manufacturers on your behalf and return the item to them, but I have waited for up to 6 months for a replacement from the manufacturers.

I bought a desktop computer that was assembled by the retailer, the receipt included a list of the parts and their relative guarantee periods, between 1 and 5 years. A power surge cause by a lightening strike messed it up big time. The retailer was really good. The power supply unit was just out of guarantee so I had to pay for that and it was replaced immediately, but the computer still did not work properly. They had to replace the motherboard and the hard drive an these were done under guarantee. The only thing is that these were returned to the manufacturers and it took about 4 months before the shop received the replacements.

If I had paid for the replacements I would have walked out of the shop with a working computer on the same day. I had a laptop and was away for a while anyway, so it really didn't bother me.

Probably, your best option is to find out how much it will cost you to get it repaired and then decide if you want to pursue the warranty option

[Thongkorn]

We have trading standards in the Good old UK. welcome to the land of Smiles. ,

[samran]

We have trading standards in the Good old UK. welcome to the land of Smiles. ,

And when my panthip laptop broke down, the shop directed me to compaq which fixed it under warranty.

Unless he had a bespoke computer built, the manufacturer will repair it.

Not rocket science. Works the same as the UK

The OP's website has a quote " Creativity often consists merely turning up what is already there." which I suggest he should heed.....after all, the manufacturers all have repair centres in Thailand.

[pipo1000]

As a matter of interest, what exactly has broken on the computer?

The reason I ask, in my experience, is that if it is a relatively simple fix, then bite the bullet and get it fixed yourself. The way that most shops deal with warranty issues is that they will send the entire computer away for anything up to a month to get it repaired/replaced.

I know it doesn't address purchasing laws, but unless you have something in writing (preferably signed) then I don't think you have much of a comeback

This post is absolutely correct.

The shop really is not interested after the 7 days is past. They really should point you in the direction of how to get it repaired though.

Some retailers will contact the manufacturers on your behalf and return the item to them, but I have waited for up to 6 months for a replacement from the manufacturers.

I bought a desktop computer that was assembled by the retailer, the receipt included a list of the parts and their relative guarantee periods, between 1 and 5 years. A power surge cause by a lightening strike messed it up big time. The retailer was really good. The power supply unit was just out of guarantee so I had to pay for that and it was replaced immediately, but the computer still did not work properly. They had to replace the motherboard and the hard drive an these were done under guarantee. The only thing is that these were returned to the manufacturers and it took about 4 months before the shop received the replacements.

If I had paid for the replacements I would have walked out of the shop with a working computer on the same day. I had a laptop and was away for a while anyway, so it really didn't bother me.

Probably, your best option is to find out how much it will cost you to get it repaired and then decide if you want to pursue the warranty option

Since when does a lightning strike qualify's for guarantee?

[kartman]

Maybe Thais rate a lightning strike 'good luck' ?.

[exeter]

The way things are dealt with here, the service you receive before and after a purchase are not what I have ever found in the UK, where it has been pointed out there are consumer laws that govern situations like this. In the first instance the seller is given the opportunity to put things right, the law then comes into play.

Here, I find buying a bit of a game of chance. Lots of staff with very little knowledge and some areas lies about products. After sales is often the quickest and cheapest solution. I went to a well known DIY centre last week ( two words first word 6 letters for worldwide ) I bought a water heater and needed to change it for a more powerful ( and expensive ) version. Only to find the young girl on the returns desk, could not provide any computer or paper record of me ever purchasing the product, she was also able to tell me in English that no one spoke English there and I was not going to see the manager! I was with a Thai builder, who also put his point of view as well ( I think). I have come to the conclusion that buying things here is a bit more risky than back in the UK so have to get used to that and just take each situation one at a time, unlikely to be a win win end I am afraid, and the original computer problem discribed have heard of that before as well.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Warrantees are most often worthless here, unless directly in writing with the international corporation, or sometimes from higher-end more expensive department stores. Note that manufacturer guarantees also must specifically be international, you can't contact LG USA for something you have a warrantee with LG Thailand.

And the best you can hope for in any case is repair, very rarely replacement and never cash refund. Sometimes only labor is covered and you have to pay usually quite inflated parts prices, often cheaper and always quicker to just get it repaired out of pocket.

Places with decent sale prices rarely have *any* after-sales service at all, getting it repaired will cost the same as if you bought it somewhere else.

I've found 99% of the business managed by locals in Asia take the attitude that they're doing you a favor allowing you to spend their money with them, no concept of customer satisfaction being important to long-term success. And the government certainly doesn't enforce consistently the very few consumer protection laws in place.

So basically you pay your money and takes your chances. Which is a big reason why the market is price-driven even at the high end, people minimizing their risk, never being able to trust a brand's quality reputation.

[GentlemanJim]

There is a Thai credit and consumer act and there is a full translation of it in English somewhere, when I have more time I will search it out again. Most shop owners or retailers are completely unaware of what is stated in the act, and when I have quoted the act and my knowledge of it to difficult retailers they submit without any further hassle.

It is a nause, but you need to politely but VERY firmly let the retailer understand his customer service responsibility should persuade him to assist you otherwise neither you, nor your family or friends will purchase anything from them again or recommend others to do the same. Best of luck.

[nong38]

There is a Thai credit and consumer act and there is a full translation of it in English somewhere, when I have more time I will search it out again. Most shop owners or retailers are completely unaware of what is stated in the act, and when I have quoted the act and my knowledge of it to difficult retailers they submit without any further hassle.

It is a nause, but you need to politely but VERY firmly let the retailer understand his customer service responsibility should persuade him to assist you otherwise neither you, nor your family or friends will purchase anything from them again or recommend others to do the same. Best of luck.

This information would be boon, please let us have it.

[Benjie]

Warrantees are most often worthless here, unless directly in writing with the international corporation, or sometimes from higher-end more expensive department stores. Note that manufacturer guarantees also must specifically be international, you can't contact LG USA for something you have a warrantee with LG Thailand.

And the best you can hope for in any case is repair, very rarely replacement and never cash refund. Sometimes only labor is covered and you have to pay usually quite inflated parts prices, often cheaper and always quicker to just get it repaired out of pocket.

Places with decent sale prices rarely have *any* after-sales service at all, getting it repaired will cost the same as if you bought it somewhere else.

I've found 99% of the business managed by locals in Asia take the attitude that they're doing you a favor allowing you to spend their money with them, no concept of customer satisfaction being important to long-term success. And the government certainly doesn't enforce consistently the very few consumer protection laws in place.

So basically you pay your money and takes your chances. Which is a big reason why the market is price-driven even at the high end, people minimizing their risk, never being able to trust a brand's quality reputation.

What a load of tosh - Computer warranties here are excellent.

Typically all the individual parts will have a sticker on them stating the supplier, distributor or shop that sold you the computer and the date that the warranty runs out. It's very simple to get things replaced under warranty, not always quick but certainly fair. The computer shops might not be interested in fixing your software problems but it's pretty easy to work out what component(s) are dead and get them replaced.

Same goes for electronics here in general, except with no-name goods I've always had excellent experiences replacing things under warranty.

[wana]

i got a toshiba HDD which died after 5-6 month

brought it back ,told to wait for exchange

went in a month later ,still not ready

went in 3 months later

the guy says theyre still not instock because of the floods

opened the till and gave a full refund

I have spilled beer on my laptop several times also ,always replaced free

under some BKK bank insurance policy that i didnt even know was included

in the deal

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Warrantees are most often worthless here, unless directly in writing with the international corporation, or sometimes from higher-end more expensive department stores. Note that manufacturer guarantees also must specifically be international, you can't contact LG USA for something you have a warrantee with LG Thailand.

And the best you can hope for in any case is repair, very rarely replacement and never cash refund. Sometimes only labor is covered and you have to pay usually quite inflated parts prices, often cheaper and always quicker to just get it repaired out of pocket.

Places with decent sale prices rarely have *any* after-sales service at all, getting it repaired will cost the same as if you bought it somewhere else.

I've found 99% of the business managed by locals in Asia take the attitude that they're doing you a favor allowing you to spend their money with them, no concept of customer satisfaction being important to long-term success. And the government certainly doesn't enforce consistently the very few consumer protection laws in place.

So basically you pay your money and takes your chances. Which is a big reason why the market is price-driven even at the high end, people minimizing their risk, never being able to trust a brand's quality reputation.

What a load of tosh - Computer warranties here are excellent.

Typically all the individual parts will have a sticker on them stating the supplier, distributor or shop that sold you the computer and the date that the warranty runs out. It's very simple to get things replaced under warranty, not always quick but certainly fair. The computer shops might not be interested in fixing your software problems but it's pretty easy to work out what component(s) are dead and get them replaced.

Same goes for electronics here in general, except with no-name goods I've always had excellent experiences replacing things under warranty.

Yes, computer parts are an exception, especially if you are regular purchaser from a reputable shop.

However, I don't think anyone was talking about components, but the whole assembled machine. I've never heard of anyone getting their money back, or even a complete replacement for that, just repairs, only lengthy and often not free.

I'd like to get specific information about exceptions from people with direct experience though.

And even with components, you usually need to track down the distributor and deal with them yourself directly, not something the retailer is going to handle for you most of the time.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

i got a toshiba HDD which died after 5-6 month

brought it back ,told to wait for exchange

went in a month later ,still not ready

went in 3 months later

the guy says theyre still not instock because of the floods

opened the till and gave a full refund

I have spilled beer on my laptop several times also ,always replaced free

under some BKK bank insurance policy that i didnt even know was included

in the deal

The specific details on the seller here would be most appreciated, and since it's positive feedback shouldn't be a problem under the libel/slander laws, right?

[jinjinswing]

Yessss im in the process of trying to get a pair of 3 mths old Adiddas sneakers replaced, ive heard about there excellent costumer service here, first the left shoe split, taking them back to major store...cannot sir....i had them repaired with a leather patch glued over the rip, ugly but at least i could use them...3 weeks later the right shoe starts to split..this time i was determined to get some action, fronting the store again got the same sort of answer as before, this time i insisted, ended up getting a customer service rep from Adidas on the phone, reminded her that it might be Thailand but i was Australian that Adiddas is a western manufacturer and in AU these shoes would be replaced because there out right faulty.

I will know in a month she tells me, she asked the store to email her pics of the faults...

I will tell you this...if there not replaced i will march down to addidas headquarters in BKK and kick up such a stink...

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Yessss im in the process of trying to get a pair of 3 mths old Adiddas sneakers replaced, ive heard about there excellent costumer service here, first the left shoe split, taking them back to major store...cannot sir....i had them repaired with a leather patch glued over the rip, ugly but at least i could use them...3 weeks later the right shoe starts to split..this time i was determined to get some action, fronting the store again got the same sort of answer as before, this time i insisted, ended up getting a customer service rep from Adidas on the phone, reminded her that it might be Thailand but i was Australian that Adiddas is a western manufacturer and in AU these shoes would be replaced because there out right faulty.

I will know in a month she tells me, she asked the store to email her pics of the faults...

I will tell you this...if there not replaced i will march down to addidas headquarters in BKK and kick up such a stink...

You'll probably wear out another pair in your marching around, sure wish I had that kind of spare time on my hands.

Next time don't spend a lot of money on such things so you can afford to go through a pair every couple of months.

Good luck with your quest, let us know how it turns out. Maybe you should consider a campaign like this, got the media's attention a few years back. . .