Domestic & General + Beko fridge freezer = nightmare

coconutaddict

I have a Beko american style fridge freezer that is 18 months old. It has been broken for over 2 months, and despite more than 4 calls from the reapir guy (under an extended warranty from Domestic and Genral insurance) they have said they cannot fix it, and will replace it.

The Beko model is unavailable, so they have offered me a Daewoo FRSU20DCI as a replacement.... Not exactly my first choice, but hey ho...

Anyway, the letter states "the cost to you for the new appliance is £51.88". and then something about delivery charges and / or contribution towards the new appliance.

I feel that this is unreasonable... I have been without a fully functionaing fridge freezer for over 2 months, and have been very patient up to this point.

I cannot afford another £52 to replace this broken / faulty fridge freezer.

Any advice on my next step??

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Mechanicus

Is the money they are asking from you to cover the difference in prices between the old fridge freezer and the new Daewoo one?
If so, I am fairly certain you do not have to pay this. Under the Sales of Goods Act, if they cannot offer you a direct replacement within a certain timeframe (I think it's 28 days), then they have to offer either a full refund or item of equal or better value.

Esqui

Not quite true, Mechanicus. They can offer a partial refund, taking into account the fact that the customer has had 16 months use from it already. There's also no set timeframe, all the Act says is that a repair must be completed without causing significant inconvenience to the customer.

Mechanicus

Esqui wrote: »

Not quite true, Mechanicus. They can offer a partial refund, taking into account the fact that the customer has had 16 months use from it already. There's also no set timeframe, all the Act says is that a repair must be completed without causing significant inconvenience to the customer.

Ah, okay, I was only recalling from memory when I had a dodgy TV, and they ended up sending me a better one because they could not supply the right model. However, the problems I had began on delivery of the item, it had no usage time, so I didn't have to deal with any of that.

Could the fact that he has been without a fridge freezer for 2 months not be taken into account re: "without causing significant inconvenience"?

papalaz

Im pretty sure the terms on a dom gen policy state that a delivery charge is made when replacing. Also, (depending on whether cust took out policy before appl was a year old or over) a percentage of the cost of the replacement appliance is required. Id advise op to give dom gen a call for details of what this charge is for.
also, as it is dom gen who are exchanging appliance, not the retailer, i dont think SOGA will apply.