its not just waterstone's who try to avoid their responsibility under the sale of goods act, dixons/curry;s/pc world are notorious for it as well, trying to pass all responsibility onto the manufacturer, sale of goods act clearly states that the contract is between you and the seller not the manufacturer and it is the responsibility of the seller to deal with any issues you may have within reason. http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html