Sony shops closing down in the UK? How does that affect my NW-A3000 warranty?

[Debbie]

Discovered my local Sony shop (Preston, Lancs.) was shut down today, with a notice on the window saying that the parent company (Plumbs) had gone into administration. I'm gutted to hear that as the guys in there have given me great advice and support over the years.

I bought my A3000 just over a year ago and took out an extra 3 years warranty which I am paying by monthly direct debit. Is this warranty now likely to be worthless? Any info would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks, Debbie

[peter312]

It depends - who do you pay the DDR to? On the warranty documentation, what company is providing the warranty?

Cheers

Peter

[navsimpson]

Sony Centres in the UK are actually independently owned stores - usually electronics shops that used to sell many brands, but then switched over. Sony then helps with marketing, displays, rebates etc. I'm pretty sure that the extended warranty thing works a warranty company rather than the shop, so you should still be okay, as long as you have documentation.

-Nav

[mrhappyholiday]

I used to work for the Oxford Sony Centre and I can tell you that all of the Sony Stores are not owned by Sony but are instead franchises that are run by other organisations. For example, Sonex owns the Oxford Sony Centre, but not the Portsmouth Sony Centre so despite the two looking identical instore they are completely unrelated.

As for the warranty issue, I'm pretty sure that if you were sold an extended warranty then it would have been from a third party company. You need to check the details of your warranty documentation or contact another Plumbs-owned Sony Centre to see if they are using as a warranty provider.

[Debbie]

Hi guys - thanks for your replies

I've dug out my paperwork and it calls it a Plumbs Repair Protection Plan, offered in association with Domestic and General. So fingers crossed D&G will sort me out if I have any problems.

It's good to hear that it doesn't mean the end of Sony shops. There was something in our local paper last night saying that our two local ones had already shut and a third one was still trading until they'd sold all their stock. So I thought it was a countrywide thing.

[jonny mac]

If I were you I'd contact Domestic & General now to check that they'll honour the warranty. Better to find out now & stop payments if necessary.

[Debbie]

Took your advice Jonny - all seems fine. D&G said if I need a repair, they will collect and return my A3000 by courier. So all that worrying for nothing!

Went to the Trafford Centre last night and the Sony shop in there is still open so I have that option too.

All is well

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[jonny mac]

The Trafford centre shop will be operated by another compnay, as mentioned above all Sony Centres are franchises. Unless they're feeling very friendly they won't take back for repair/exchange or anything else, a player that was bought from another company. It would be like buying something from John Lewis & taking it back to Dixons if it goes PT.

[Debbie]

Oh, I didn't know that. I assumed "Sony Centre", meant I could take my Sony product there. Oh well, fingers crossed it doesn't break. And if it does, it'll have to go away by courier courtesy of D&G.

Thanks for the info

[Pete_bolton]

Hello Debbie

This is Peter, the lad that sold you your mp3 player.

You are covered by D&G, I can guarantee that

Im working at the Bolton Sony Centre now, if you have any problems, you can contact me there,

It came as a shock to all of us,

[Christopher]

Hey pete - welcome to the forums! That's really cool of you to recognize this and respond to Deb like that. What a small world we live in.

[Debbie]

Hi Pete - I can't believe you're on here - I'm so glad I said nice things about you guys in my post!

Thanks for the D&G reassurance and the details of your whereabouts. Glad you're still in a job. I think I remember the Bolton store - is it on that pedestrianised bit, across from the Nationwide?

[sc_bond]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but Sony Centres in the UK no longer deal with warranty issues on the NW-a series since about June 06. You would need to send it to Sony Central Service in Wales, who have some of the worst customer service in the world! I had loads of trouble and the manager was in fact investiagted as a result.

As for Sony Centres shutting down, I'm totally unaware of this. My local store is Trafford, Manchester. They are business as usual and so is the one in Manchester city centre.

[Debbie]

Thanks for the warning. I'll just contact D&G if I have any problems.

I noticed the Trafford Centre store was still open and it all makes sense now the guys on here have filled me in about franchises and stuff

[Bueller]

In reply to concerns over Sony Centres, yes they are national branded independent stores, so you will still find many Sony centres based in many towns and cities across the country, infact many new stores have opened recently on the back of great sales.

[Debbie]

Cheers Bueller

I don't half miss my local Preston store though. Especially reading on here about the release of new gadgets! Can't say I'm over-enthusiastic about popping into Currys and asking for a play on the NW-A808.