Screwup

marty-401

I was fortunate enough to be given a present of a Erbauer planer/thicknesser from my workmates (it came from Screwfix). Now I require new blades I am told I must go to a third party to order them (but they don't have any in stock and have not had for many months and can't tell me when more will arrive). After contacting Screwfix about the problem I was sent on a wild goose chase via 3 more companies all who can't supply them. After re contacting them they said that I could have a new machine (great I thought- each time I want new blades I have to package up my old machine and wait in for a new one!). This seems rediculous for a basic consumable part. I have tried everywhere on the internet to find alternatives but with no joy (surely this is their job?). Could any one advise what action I should take? P.s I don't want to upset my workmates by having to tell them I want to send the item back (they also have the receipt so I don't know how much it cost). HELP.

System

be aware if you decided to return it to screwfix you would have to provide the buyers details as you dont have the reciept the sale would have to be found on their system before a refund/replacement could be issued.

marty-401

But all I really want are the bloomin blades! What liability to the consumer does Screwfix have in this situation, where they sell a machine but can't supply the most basic consumable?:mad:

d.edna

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/?_nkw=Erbauer&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=Erbauer&_osacat=0

loads of blades there

DCFC79

marty-401 wrote: »

But all I really want are the bloomin blades! What liability to the consumer does Screwfix have in this situation, where they sell a machine but can't supply the most basic consumable?:mad:

maybe im wrong but screwfix dont have to supply the spares eg blades, as been suggested maybe ebay is your friend and while your at it why not buy a few so you dont have to come back for more

d.edna

DCFC79 wrote: »

maybe im wrong but screwfix dont have to supply the spares eg blades, as been suggested maybe ebay is your friend and while your at it why not buy a few so you dont have to come back for more

Agreed and if thats the case they have to sell consumables, Debenhams when they sell pans have to sell food and oil etc

Halloway

d.edna wrote: »

Agreed and if thats the case they have to sell consumables, Debenhams when they sell pans have to sell food and oil etc

That's nonsense. Your analogy is wide of the mark. The OP is asking Screwfix to sell an item which is consumable but essential to the operation of the device and is unique to that device. This is not unreasonable and the fact the Screwfix seem unable so to do means that they are not a reliable company.

An equivalent analogy would be that Screwfix should sell wood. Which they possibly do, however no-one would consider that they were obliged to simply because they sell wood tools.

d.edna

Halloway wrote: »

That's nonsense. Your analogy is wide of the mark. The OP is asking Screwfix to sell an item which is consumable but essential to the operation of the device and is unique to that device. This is not unreasonable and the fact the Screwfix seem unable so to do means that they are not a reliable company.

An equivalent analogy would be that Screwfix should sell wood. Which they possibly do, however no-one would consider that they were obliged to simply because they sell wood tools.

How about you log out

They are not obliged to sell anything to you or stock anything, There was a printer called the Xerox C8, every retailer sold the printer, but only PC World sold the ink, is that wrong? No, its upto a retailer if they want to stock it.

marty-401

d.edna wrote: »

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/?_nkw=Erbauer&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=Erbauer&_osacat=0

loads of blades there

Thanks for the tip but I have already tried that option and no one sells them! I might have found a company in Poland but that seems a bit extreme.
Another way of looking at this would be to say if you bought a car then you needed a spark plug and the garage you bought the car from could not supply it or tell you were to buy one from meant you could not use the car-would you be happy? and how would you stand?

System

[quote=Halloway;15913749. The OP is asking Screwfix to sell an item which is consumable but essential to the operation of the device and is unique to that device. This is not unreasonable and the fact the Screwfix seem unable so to do means that they are not a reliable company.
quote]

how does it make them unreliable just because they dont sell an item ? did the buyer check to see if replacements were available ? is the product still available ?

uganda

d.edna, polite and helpful as ever I see.

It is perfectly reasonable to expect Screwfix to provide blades or at least be in a position to make a manufacturer's recommendation. If they are not legally obliged to, then no-one can make them, but that doesn't mean they are beyond criticism, and this is precisely the forum where they can be criticised. That's what it's for.

I certainly won't be buying tools from them until I have ensured that they can also give me parts, what would be the point? It may not be illegal, but it makes their stuff less attractive to the consumer.