Comet & a DVD recorder

rchddap1

OH bought a DVD recorder from comet in early Jan 2006. Last night he tries to use it and all we see is 'blocked' on the display. The tray won't open. I can 100% guarantee that there isn't a disc in the tray, so that can't be the problem.

OH wants to go to comet and demand a replacement at the weekend. So two questions:-

1. Can he do this and if so any suggestions on how to go about it?
2. If he can't I assume that its waiting for a repair....but he wants to record something on Monday night...suggestions?

crossleydd42

YOu are entitled to buy something of merchantable quality and have at least six months to exchange the item or get your money back from where you purchased it. However, DEMANDING things is not the best way to get the shop onside - keep your cool and be pleasant. don't forget the receipt.

rchddap1

Okay...maybe demand was the wrong word.

I assume that's in a law somewhere...sale of goods act?

crossleydd42

Yes, but I can't recall what it is now. They might try to fob you off with going to the maker of the recorder - but it's the retailer who is responsible.
Be friendly, but persistent.

Good luck!

IvanOpinion

Anything has to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose and obviously if it does not work then it is not fit for purpose. This should be a simple transaction and should not involve any demands etc.

Firstly, have you tried turning it off (at the mains) and back on again, secondly have you been fiddling about with region codes? Have you searched the web for the make and model to see if there is an help out there? It is possible that you have done something that has caused it to act this way and that there is not an inherent fault (the shop SHOULD be able to fix this for you).

Assuming there is a fault simply request a REPLACEMENT or your money back ... do not accept a repair. This should not be an issue when the product is under 6 months old (it is up to the shop to prove that the goods were not faulty). If memory serves me correctly there is something funny about accepting a repair ... you can never then request your money back (I could be wrong).

Ivan

hjb123

Did you buy it online or instore? Either way you should be able to take it back as it is a fault item and get it exchanged for another - provided you want another!

rchddap1

OH tried everything to get a replacement, but they refused point blank no matter what was said. He said that he had no choice but to accept a repair.

smcaul

Oh dear, Comet bullying and being illegal yet again. I would suggest you go back and point out you are rejecting the goods under the sale of goods act and want to speak to an area manager - I once had a similar problem with them over a DVD player when they first came out. You really have to be very firm and get angry with them if necessary - threaten them with the small claims court and do contact Comet head office - I ended up getting a £20 cheque from them to cover fuel costs from going back and forward to their stores to get my problem sorted out. Their favorite trick is to quote their terms and conditions on the back of their receipt - the counter argument to this is two fold, firstly that it states "this does not affect your statutory rights" which they are doing and secondly that the receipt is issued AFTER you purchase the goods and therefore you do not have a chance to agree to them before the purchase. Why not name and shame the store - not that I will ever shop in Comet ever a again - they are rip off merchants.

rchddap1

That is the sort of information I needed before I visited the store. Sigh. its hard to argue what your rights are if you don't know the detail. Unfortunately our effort failed, and all I can do now is complain.

This was depsite saying that it was not of satisfactory quality etc... and asking bluntly for a replacement to be provided.

Do you have the details for contacting head office (ie, email address, postal address etc...)

Thanks

smcaul

Unfortunatly I don't have the details, It was a few years ago since I last shopped there - just phone the store and ask them for the details - also ask for the area managers name and number at the same time - you could point out that after further investigation you feel that they are being illegal, hence why you need all this info. If it was me I would be going back into the shop today and asking for the goods back then rejecting them. If you only went in yesterday it is unlikely they will have sent them off for repair yet. The store managers seem to be taught to lie to customers, out of interest which store is it?

hjb123

So did he send it back off for repair or did he keep it? What date did you buy it - ie, how many days since you bought it?

Phone the store and quote some of what the previous poster has said - it might make them back down! Its really out of order the way they are treating you!