Returning unopened paint

Metranil_Vavin

Hi guys - can anyone just tell me if I have any rights here.

I bought a number of tins of Farrow and Ball paint recently from an independant stockist near us. I bought 2 different colours, one of which they keep in stock so I bought 15 litres off the shelf, and another colour that they don't keep in stock which they ordered in for me (10 litres).

Whilst I was paying (and trying not to faint at the price!), the guy serving me said that I could return any unopened tins with my receipt for a refund, which I thought sounded fair.

So today I called the shop saying I will be bringing some back, and the guy on the phone said that I can only return the stock paint, not the colour they ordered in :mad:...does that sound right? I have receipts etc.

I phoned F&B and they said that all their stockists can return unopened paint to them no problem, although there is a carriage and restocking fee...I'm guessing the shop dont want to pay this.

Anyway I'm going in there tomorrow to argue my case (I hate doing stuff like this)..just wondered do I have any rights or can they make up the rules to suit them?

Thanks in advance.

bap98189

Unless the paint is faulty, the shop is under no obligation to take it back. That they are willing to do so on the "stock" paints is entirely down to goodwill on their part.

I can understand why they are unwilling to return the paint to the manufacturer. Aside from the costs involved, there will be a lot of administration hassle. Perhaps you could come to some arrangement for a partial refund?

Metranil_Vavin

Ok thanks for the reply.

I'm just annoyed as I wasn't told at the time of purchase that they'd only take the stock paint back.

I'll go in there tomorrow anyway and speak to them. Don't fancy my chances but will give it a go.

Thanks again.

The_Pedant

All you can do really is to have a quiet word with them is to point out that you were informed that you could return any unopened paint, and bought the paint on those terms. At no point (I assume) did they mention it referred only to the stock paint.

Technically, a verbal contract was agreed around those terms. Unfortunately though it's their word against yours.

Without being told you could bring any back, they would be under no obligation to refund for any returned paint.
Any result would be largely down to goodwill on their part.

barvid

bap98189 wrote: »

Unless the paint is faulty, the shop is under no obligation to take it back. That they are willing to do so on the "stock" paints is entirely down to goodwill on their part.

I can understand why they are unwilling to return the paint to the manufacturer. Aside from the costs involved, there will be a lot of administration hassle. Perhaps you could come to some arrangement for a partial refund?

...although if they said they would before the sale went through then it would all be part and parcel of the lovely contract you formed. However, proving they said it is a completely different matter...

Metranil_Vavin

..exactly!

Ah well I'm off down there now to see if I can appeal to their decent side!

Thanks for the posts folks.

DrScotsman

What everyone here said. You DO have the legal right to return it as per your verbal contract, but your word against theirs.

Sparhawke

I know it is a bit sneaky, but couldn't you see if they have any written documentation stating that they will accept ANY returned paint or only stock paint?

Metranil_Vavin

Well after all that they just took it back and gave me a refund, no questions asked! :T

I reckon the guy I spoke to on the phone was trying it on a bit. They obviously have to pay a return fee to send it back to F&B that they dont want to pay if they can get away with it.

ANyway a good result, so thanks all who replied. I guess its a case of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'!