Sorry, but you didn't buy it from us

Recently a radio amateur was denied service and repairs to a transceiver that he had obtained second hand. He's not the first to experience a denial of service. It is a complex issue which has been researched by Jim Linton VK3PC who reports his findings.

There is no legal obligation for a company to provide service and repairs, except when the equipment is covered by a warranty valid in Australia.

Some marketing companies or authorised dealers verify the origins of equipment presented to them for service, by checking the manufacturer's serial number. Their policy is only to service or repair equipment imported by them.

Of course equipment can be purchased overseas by a tourist, obtained via the Internet, or from a non-agent importer. That is happening not only with amateur radio gear but all types of products.

Buyers have a choice of going with authorised agents that provide good product back-up, or importers who don't provide an Australian warranty. So much for new equipment.

It gets a bit tricky when buying a second-hand transceiver to know its origins for sure, except if the sale includes the original authorised agent's receipt.

If you have a second hand transceiver in need of repairs or servicing and don't know how it arrived in Australia, it would be wise to send an initial service request inquiry to the manufacturer's Australian agent stating the make, model, fault details and of course its serial number.

If service is denied, then there are others who offer service
and repairs. It is a matter of shopping around.

Modern amateur radio equipment is extremely reliable and can normally be expected to give many long years of service - that is the calculated risk often taken by those who buy equipment without a warranty or product back-up.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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