h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Returning to the original question, the plastic wrapping isn't guaranteed airtight or watertight, so if it's kept in a cold place condensation can form. However, I'd guess it's more likely that it's been allowed to get wet and the water has seeped through.

They won't take responsibility for it, Bagpuss. Saying they never had that problem before.

It also transpires (I had to speak with someone in their call centre about it) that software are not covered by their warranties, whether they are wet or not.

Yeah, I gathered that, lil, but I didn't have anything constructive to add about dealing with the store. My usual approach involves stammering and waving my hands, and is generally unsuccessful.

I wish I knew how to do passive/aggressive. I either blow my stack, or, as in this case, remain absurdly calm!

You shouldn't be speaking to anyone in person any more. The rest of your interactions should be taking place by post.

I agree, Hoo.

I am currently collecting my thoughts, scrubbing out the expletives and setting it all to print.

I am yet to find a fax number to speed things up, and then it will be post and fax from now on.

I seriously doubt anything will come of this now, but at least I will be getting the satisfaction of tying up someone at the top - who has to then contact the Manager and snotty cow in Bromborough - which will not be very cost effective for them, will it?

They must be breaking the sales of good act here. Get yourself a copy, tell them explicitly which bits of it they have broken and tell them you will be contacting the office of fair trading too.

In the US, there's a consumer's action site, called The Consumerist. If you have something similar, they might help you get Comet's attention, and even if not, it will get the word out on Comet. Here's a link to show what someone like this can do for you. http://consumerist.com/

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/sogahome/;jsessionid=B590754A84C1664E630B5F425E6DF5DB

The Office of Fair Trading closes at the end of March 2012 and will be taken over by Citizens Advice thereafter.

They think a potential breach might have been made due to the fact that my father wasn't informed there was already an anti-virus program on the laptop, whether this was temporary or not is immaterail.

They advised the same as Hoo... put it in writing to the Head Office.


lil xx