The Argos 16 Day money back Guarantee.

pioneer31

I'm puzzled re Argo's 16 day policy.

I bought a tv aerial from them which was unsuitable. I did open the box and use it, but put it all back very carefully, so as to give the impression that it was untouched. i told the assistant that it wasn't suitable and they gave me a refund.

The thing that puzzles me is this:

How can you tell if you don't like something, if you haven't actually opened it?

I thought (corret me if I'm wrong) that the 16 day guarantee meant that you CAN use it but it must be all put back in the box to appear as new.


?

Astaroth

The idea is the item must be in such a state that it can be sold as new still. If it is something in a box then thats fine but if it is sealed plastic so you have to destroy the packaging to get it out then you would need to do your research on the product before buying it.

pioneer31

Astaroth wrote:

The idea is the item must be in such a state that it can be sold as new still. If it is something in a box then thats fine but if it is sealed plastic so you have to destroy the packaging to get it out then you would need to do your research on the product before buying it.

I guessed as much, I mean I suppose they state it must be unused, because if they don't, people will leave wear and tear marks on the item and open plastic bags etc, but surely, reading between the lines they know you MUST have used it.

Is it wise to tell them you tried it?

hollydays

Poor OP-completely sympathise about dealing with,quite simply-thick people.

However when i have been faced withit i find it enjoyable and a challenge.I give examples-one person brought back some toiletries saying grandmother had bought them and it brought him out in a terrible rash.(THAT old chestnut)When he took the same stuff back to the same branch (there were several others he could have tried) 2 weeks later you would have thought it was obvious-why would you buy the same product again?To cut a long story short he was arrested as he had "aquired them" it later transpired.I have known a shirt returned cos the cuffs were fraying (10 years old),and a toaster returned cos it overheated( it was still in the unbroken shrink-wrapped packaging-clue there,).Another customer brought back 10 action men with the unpleasant story they had been bought for his baby-and the baby had died (no receipt) and there never had been a baby,but its supposed to tug at the heart strings.

Astaroth

I do remember a customer arguing the law with me - she said that you have a 10 year warrenty on anything you bought if you kept the receipt. The heal had come off a pair of £20 shoes she had bought about 8 years earlier and she wanted a refund on them as she had the receipt still - prehaps it was the same person that tried to take the shirt back

pioneer31

Here's another question. When you take something back and they ask you to print your name and address, what is the point?

If you've paid cash, you could just make one up.

Astaroth

In companies I worked for there was a database of returns to try and spot people that were consistantly buying and returning items (remember you have no legal right to return something that isnt faulty unless you bought it by mail order).

This was mainly to catch people that did the classic buy clothing/ handbag etc for a special occasion (say wedding) and then return them for a full refund after the event or for people that are intentionally making something "faulty".... I believe Virgin used to have something like a 5 item per year limit as otherwise people could just buy a cd, copy it and then return it for a refund.

More cynical people will say that they are getting it from you so that they can add you to their mailing list - for the companies I worked for this didnt apply as you had to have an account with us anyway.

People could make up addresses and probably do but then most store staff probably just couldnt be bothered checking.

pioneer31

Astaroth wrote:

In companies I worked for there was a database of returns to try and spot people that were consistantly buying and returning items (remember you have no legal right to return something that isnt faulty unless you bought it by mail order).

This was mainly to catch people that did the classic buy clothing/ handbag etc for a special occasion (say wedding) and then return them for a full refund after the event or for people that are intentionally making something "faulty".... I believe Virgin used to have something like a 5 item per year limit as otherwise people could just buy a cd, copy it and then return it for a refund.

More cynical people will say that they are getting it from you so that they can add you to their mailing list - for the companies I worked for this didnt apply as you had to have an account with us anyway.

People could make up addresses and probably do but then most store staff probably just couldnt be bothered checking.

I've returned items and they dont check, well, unless they have a datbase in front of them of all UK names and addresses. If you pay cash, call yourself fred bloggs and walk out then you're away?

hollydays

It a win win situation for the retailer.Most people,even if they are doing something criminal-if they are a local will give the correct details.However for those that give false details-this is very good evidence of deception when they get caught.Also its to avoid staff collusion in dishonest refunds.There may be other reasons.

Does it not concern you that if its noticed you are giving false details the Police would have a very good reason to stop and question you.Also dont underestimate local knowledge-data bases are not the only tool.

Pioneer-for what reason would you need to give a false address?

pioneer31

hollydays wrote:

It a win win situation for the retailer.Most people,even if they are doing something criminal-if they are a local will give the correct details.However for those that give false details-this is very good evidence of deception when they get caught.Also its to avoid staff collusion in dishonest refunds.There may be other reasons.

Does it not concern you that if its noticed you are giving false details the Police would have a very good reason to stop and question you.Also dont underestimate local knowledge-data bases are not the only tool.

Pioneer-for what reason would you need to give a false address?

if you're a serial returner perhaps?

unless my next door neighbour (who just happens to be a copper) is stood behind me in a queue, then there's very very little chance of being rumbled?

All I'm saying is that the system is WIDE open to abuse