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Advice on refunding camcorder, consumer rights

Hi, I bought a Panasonic SD200 High Definition SD Card Camcorder two days ago from a PC World shop with a 8GB memory card after asking the guy at the shop for his advice, I bought it on his recommendation as I told him I was looking for a High Definition camcorder. The camcorder cost me £649.99 and £30 for the memory card.

When I arrived home I charged the battery and installed the memory card, basically opened everything, after playing around with the settings and a few clips later I am not so hot on it now, I am thinking of returning it as my original budget was no more than £500 but on the shop the salesman convinced me to go for the higher model.

If I take the camcorder and the memory card back to the store can I get a refund and get the cheaper model instead?

I have heard of "cooling off period" but I am not sure how this works, on the receipt it says I have 28 days to return UNOPENED items if not happy, but I have opened everything. I am worried I might not get a refund.

What are my rights as a consumer? Do I have any now? This is making me feel ill just thinking about it.

Please help

Comments

  • does anyone have any ideas?

    I have heard of 7-day return period, is this period the "cooling off period"?

    I'm confused
  • emmell
    emmell Posts: 1,228 Forumite
    I think they can refuse to take it back because items such as cameras, camcorders etc. can be used for a function like a wedding or a holiday, the pictures downloaded and the item then returned.
    ML.
    He who has four and spends five, needs neither purse nor pocket
  • OlliesDad
    OlliesDad Posts: 1,825 Forumite
    Unfortunately you have no rights to a refund unless the item is faulty.

    You may be getting confused with the Distance Selling Regulations which allows for a 7 day period for you to inspect the goods and return them for a full refund.

    Knowing how PC World customer services are, don't expect too much!!
  • Sorry but you have no rights because you changed your mind.
    You should do all your research on which camcorder you want to buy BEFORE stepping foot inside a shop....and not listen to "expert" salesmen.
    I am a bit anal when it comes to new electronic equipment, I will spend weeks looking at reviews, specs etc, then trawl t'internet for the best deal, before taking the plunge and I have never been disappointed yet.
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    Sorry, you have no rights to return the camcorder.
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
  • kikouno
    kikouno Posts: 52 Forumite
    Oh my... this will serve me as a lesson

    Next time I plan to buy something like this I will only take the exact cash with me instead of taking my card and be "seduced" into buying something more expensive:o. This approach should prevent me from being too impulsive.

    My own fault:rolleyes:
  • Esqui
    Esqui Posts: 3,414 Forumite
    Can I ask what you mean by "not so hot on it"?
    Squirrel!
    If I tell you who I work for, I'm not allowed to help you. If I don't say, then I can help you with questions and fixing products. Regardless, there's still no secret EU law.
    Now 20% cooler
  • Halloway
    Halloway Posts: 1,612 Forumite
    kikouno wrote: »
    Oh my... this will serve me as a lesson

    Next time I plan to buy something like this I will only take the exact cash with me instead of taking my card and be "seduced" into buying something more expensive:o. This approach should prevent me from being too impulsive.

    My own fault:rolleyes:

    Sorry if this sounds patronising but it's a refreshing change to read that on here.
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    edited 1 October 2009 at 4:16PM
    That must be a cracking camcorder for that price though!!

    Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose :o.....

    This week I impulse-bought an ex-display HP Officejet Pro L7680 from the very same store for £135, after spotting it in the clearance section and then pursuading them to knock off another 10% as it had the ADF tray missing.

    That wasn't a problem, as £6 later, I now have a new ADF tray courtesy of eBay :D.

    Not only had they included a set of new ink cartridges (value:£80) in addition to the ones that were installed, they also included a new print head (value:£40) to replace the black/yellow one that was 'blocked'.

    5 minutes sitting in cartridge cleaner and the 'blocked' print head was as good as new :T

    Printer reports that it's only done 107 pages....most of those were me giving it TLC yesterday!!

    I think that classes as a 'WIN' in my book :D

    By the way, if they've got this All-In-One printer/scanner/copier/fax in the Clearance section of your PC World - GO AND BUY IT!!!!

    This printer takes '88' Cartridges - about 30p per refill and just about the easiest to do as well!
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
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