Trying to return incorrect hard drive

DeaconBlue

I bought a hard drive from EPCBUYER and received a hard drive with a different model number to the one I ordered. I double-checked on the order and emailed them twice asking them what the difference was between the one I received and the one I ordered. I heard nothing so bought the correct drive from somewhere else. I completed a form on their website requesting a returns code so I could return it. Their policy is that you can return something if it is unused within 7 days. Because they didn't respond to my two emails over 7 days has passed. They haven't responded to my website request as well as the two emails.

Does anyone know what my rights are regarding returning this hard drive? Do I still have the rights to a refund even after over 7 days. I bought it using my credit card - it was less than £100.

Thanks in anticipation.

Mike

horsenailbucket

DeaconBlue wrote:

I bought a hard drive from EPCBUYER and received a hard drive with a different model number to the one I ordered. I double-checked on the order and emailed them twice asking them what the difference was between the one I received and the one I ordered. I heard nothing so bought the correct drive from somewhere else. I completed a form on their website requesting a returns code so I could return it. Their policy is that you can return something if it is unused within 7 days. Because they didn't respond to my two emails over 7 days has passed. They haven't responded to my website request as well as the two emails.

Does anyone know what my rights are regarding returning this hard drive? Do I still have the rights to a refund even after over 7 days. I bought it using my credit card - it was less than £100.

Thanks in anticipation.

Mike

Have you tried phoning them?

MarkyMarkD

Deacon

You were fairly rash, IMHO, to buy a replacement item elsewhere without finding out for yourself if the item they supplied was as good, or better, than the one you ordered. They may quite likely have substituted a better model in which case you should have just kept it!

It's not hard to get the specs for different models online.

Reaper

I think you may have been a bit impetuous too, however you are within your rights. An email within the 7 days is enough to register the fact you want to return the goods even if they fail to respond.

Have a read of your rights under the Distance Selling Regulations here on the Trading Standards web site.

EDIT: Just re-read your post and realise you asked to send it back outside the 7 day period. That's trickier as you now need a reason to send it back - for example they sent you an inferior model to the one you ordered. Best check your facts and find out what you got.

pealy

If I were you I'd get on to your credit card issuer. If they sent you the wrong item and are ignoring you then I'd hope the issuer will put the transaction into dispute - that should make them take notice.

I've done this in the past and found the issuer more than helpful.

DeaconBlue

Thank you all for your responses.

horsenailbucket - I have tried phoning but it's an 0870 number and I'm just left in a queue.

MarkyMarkD - I ordered a Maxtor 6Y160PO and received a Maxtor 6L160PO - can you tell me the difference between the two?

pealy - The HDD cost less than £100 - would it still be worth speaking to the credit card company?

I have now emailed them 5 times (twice through their website) and had no response.

CashBash

I ordered a Maxtor 6Y160PO and received a Maxtor 6L160PO - can you tell me the difference between the two?

As a suggestion, why don't you try the maxtor website and compare the specs of the two models.

MarkyMarkD

I agree with CashBash - and I'd already suggested comparing the specs online.

The 6L160P0 is a DiamondMax 10 and the 6Y160P0 is a DiamondMax 9.

The one you've been supplied is (marginally) better than the one you have paid for.

You are wasting your time complaining about this, and you were ultra-numpty to buy a different one because of this.

DeaconBlue

I don't care if it's "better" you idiot - I need a specific hard drive for a Sky+ box and wasn't sent it. The bottom line is they haven't sent me what I ordered. It may well be better but if it's not compatible then I'm stuffed.

MarkyMarkD

It's just a hard drive not something which has major compatibility issues - better in this case is faster access times, but apart from that they are exactly the same.

Don't ask for advice and then be rude to people who provide the answer you've asked for. :@

Lowtrawler

I don't think you should have a problem once they contact you, in their terms and conditions it states:

"5.2 Occasionally the product specifications from the manufacturer may change, in which case we will do our best to offer you a substitute item of the same or improved quality at the same price. If you are not happy with the replacement offered, you may cancel your order in accordance with your rights under the Distance Selling Regulations (Please refer to Returns)"

The only slight issue might be the cost of P&P.

One proviso to this, I don't know whether you followed the "Returns" section of their website or only tried to contact them regarding the nature of the product. As previously pointed out, you new immediately that the product was a replacement for the one you had ordered. If this was unacceptable to you, you needed to follow the "Returns" process. You have 7 days in which to initiate this. Hence, providing you initiated the returns process within 7 days you will be covered, if not, you will be looking on the goodwill of epcbuyer.

Incidentally, the drive sent to you by epcbuyer would work in a sky box. The 200Gb has been confirmed as operational so the 160Gb would be no problem, see:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=19581781496&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=89515

Suggest you take the advice of the Amset utility referred to in the ebuyer thread. It may allow you to throttle back the drive to 5400RPM and hence make it more compatible:

http://service.maxtor.com/rightnow/downloads/setacm.exe

One last point. When you're looking for help, calling someone an idiot is not generally helpful. Try and keep it friendly.