| In California, vehicles are not the only | | | | before your actual purchase. Even if it's |
| product you can claim a refund or replacement | | | | reputable, do not settle for an exchange-only |
| for if it turns out to be a lemon. Next to | | | | warranty in the case of computer peripherals |
| automobiles, computers are probably the most | | | | and consumables. Keep the option of returning |
| commonly used machine, and the law knows it. | | | | for a complete refund. |
| | | | |
| If you find that your computer crashes | | | | Further, do not rely on verbal quality |
| regularly, needs a large amount of | | | | assurances. If they're valid, the warranty's |
| maintenance and has not performed as promised | | | | fine print will reflect them, so pay more |
| at the time of purchase, the California | | | | attention to details. If you do decide to |
| Computer Lemon Law works for you. Basically, | | | | buy, pay by credit card to protect yourself. |
| a consumer is protected from any expense | | | | That way, you can stop payment for a |
| incurred while having a warranty-covered | | | | defective computer and can involve the credit |
| product replaced or repaired to complete | | | | card provider in any legal conflict over the |
| satisfaction. This includes lawyer's fees if | | | | purchase. Also, some credit cards will extend |
| a lawyer is retained. All expenses are borne | | | | your warranty above and beyond the norm. |
| by the manufacturer who stands in default of | | | | |
| the warranty. | | | | If a lawsuit is called for, the way to |
| | | | initiate the process is to contact the |
| To avoid having to exercise your rights under | | | | dealership's customer care or quality control |
| this law, do not buy a computer or | | | | department and plead your case. If you have a |
| computer-related equipment from obscure | | | | case, the first offer may be arbitration. |
| outlets. Authorized dealerships are well | | | | This is fine as long as a lawyer is consulted |
| aware of their responsibility and are less | | | | over jurisdiction matters. Make sure you have |
| likely to sell you a lemon. You need to do a | | | | a complete purchase and payment record to |
| little background research on the dealership | | | | fall back on. |