Another question to increase my knowledge

Esqui

Here's a question that came to me at work the other day, and I wonder if anyone knows the legal standpoint on this.

We act as agents for internet, TV and mobile services such as Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, etc, under which we sign people up to their services - often on tariffs/deals unique to us.

Now, I am aware that under the SoGA, we as a retailer are responsible for any faulty goods and so forth. Now if there was to be a problem with equipment provided as part of the service we signed a customer up to (e.g. faulty sky box/mobile broadband dongle), who would be responsible here? Us as the agent, or the third party as the provider of the service/equipment?

It doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me, since I don't plan to turn people away just because I am legally entitled to do so, but it would be useful to know the legality if challenged on it.

Thanks for all your responses!

Darksun

I think it would depend on who the contract for the service is between, is it directly between the customers and the service provide, or is it between the customers and yourselves? If you're simply acting as an agent then I don't think you'd be responsible.

However, I would strongly advise you seek professional legal advise on this issue.

saver_007

Hi
I work in retail this is my take on it
As I would understand it your employer would be responsible for provision of faulty goods or service assuming your employer recieve the payment from the customer.
For example the store I work in sold a loaf of Warburtons bread that was mouldy, the refund would be given by the retailer not Warburtons.

If not then in my opinion it would be the provider. Thats not to say however that if your company accept the responsibility and give a refund or replacement they couldn't then refer back to the supplier and claim the costs incurred.
But then thats going into contracts and legal stuff so am stopping there!