On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:51:35 -0000, "David W.E. Roberts"
wrote:


"Peter Parry" wrote

But replacing the single part which _has_ failed is quite sensible. It
isn't exactly an uncommon failure.

Ii isn't the fact that the part failed - it is the consequences of the
failure. The oven was stressed enough to shatter an inner glass door - so it
has damaged other parts than the switch/thermostat (obviously).

It is neither obvious nor likely that other parts are damaged. The
glass door is toughened - which means that any surface imperfection
and not merely heat could have contributed to its failure.

The question
now is what else has been damaged in perhaps a less obvious way.

Such as? Cookers are not exactly complex and the fail safe is a very
simple one - they can survive full power for an extended period as
temperature equilibrium occurs at about 300deg C. This isn't far off
the temperature some use for a self cleaning cycle.

Are you prepared to give a 100% guarantee that, even though the oven was
heated enough to shatter a glass door, all that will need replacing is the
switch/thermostat?

Why not? What else do you suggest will have been "overstressed"?

It may be common for thermostats to fail.
Is it common for glass doors to shatter?

Probably more common than it is for thermostats. The inner door is
just a bit of toughened glass.

All you are entitled to is repair (assuming you can show the fault
existed at the time of sale).

Absolutely not.

A fault which develops during warranty doesn't have to be shown to have
existed at the time of sale.

The cooker is out of warranty.

Equally, goods are expected to be durable - to last a reasonable amount of
time. This means that if they are out of manufacturers warranty you still
have rights.

You may have the right to a repair as I stated. However the burden of
proof is on the buyer to show non-conformity at the time of sale is on
the buyer, not the seller.

You are therfore entitled to repair (where appropriate), refund or
replacement if the goods fail sooner than can be reasonably expected.

You will be entitled to a partial refund rebated to take into account
the use you have had from the device if both repair or replacement
(with a second hand device if necessary) are not feasible.