System builder takes on Fujitsu
Technology Europe launches legal action over 'faulty' hard drives
System builder Technology Europe is launching legal action against Fujitsu in a David and Goliath-style battle over faulty hard drives.
The Bournemouth-based VAR is also appealing to other resellers whose business has suffered because of what it has claimed is "a high failure rate on Fujitsu MPG3 series hard drives".
Ben Baker, director of Technology Europe, said his firm has been experiencing problems with the drives for several years.
"We used to use the drives as part of bare-bones systems we were building for trade resale, but we were experiencing a 50 per cent failure rate on the drives on a regular basis between 2001 and 2002. This meant systems were being returned to us," he said.
Baker has alleged that Fujitsu failed to provide replacements or refunds for more than half of the drives returned, claiming they had been "damaged".
Baker said the case is in its early stages but will include a clause for "loss of business" and "loss of reputation".
"We want as many resellers as possible to join us against Fujitsu. We have already heard from several resellers that have suffered similar problems and expect to hear from many more," he added.
Keith Warburton, executive director of the PC Association, said: "I welcome the clarification the legal action is likely to bring. In the US, through class action, consumers have gained recompense from the company that is, as far as they are concerned, the root cause of the problem.
"We don't have such a mechanism in the UK, so it is down to system builders and resellers to seek recompense. It is a brave reseller indeed who takes action against such a large organisation."
Fujitsu was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.