Where to get independent expert report, electric oven

OxfordshireSAHM

I hate the Sale of Goods Act. It's all very well saying that consumers have recourse to the retailer for goods which don't last a "reasonable" time and are out of the manufacturer's warranty, but with the onus on the consumer to produce independent "evidence" relating to the fault, it makes the whole thing a mockery. I have a 22 month old AEG built in oven, the fan motor has broken and will cost £120+ to fix. The retailer isn't interested (a local independent), so I need to get an independent report on it to take it further. Seems to me there's a perfect business opportunity for someone to get into the independent report business, because I can find no-one locally who will prepare such a thing. Leaves me stuck with a £120 bill if I want to get it fixed. So thank you, Sale of Goods Act!!

Has anyone ever been able to get an independent report on an electrical item? BTW I'm in West Oxfordshire.

Helen

Meepster

I've organised LOADS of independent reports on appliances, and whilst there are specialist companies about who will do this, I usually turn to another appliance manufacturer or look in the yellow pages for companies who repair appliances. They can usually inspect and report on the fault (expect to pay between £50 and £100 for a report, which you can claim back if it's found to be a fault and not misuse)

neilmcl

Who told you the fan motor is broken, did you get this in writing? Something like that would be sufficient to show there's an inherent fault, as components like a fan motor shouldn't be breaking down prematurely and it's a component that you have no influence over, therefore it's an inherent fault.

Delvadin25

Hi
I agree the Traders have found a loophole around the Sale of Goods Act, by asking for an independent expert report. We bought an Indesit Oven in Feb 2010 from Newton Abbot B&Q branch. The Oven still works perfectly but because the door does not close 100% the surrounding units doors have been affected and the corners of these doors have changed colour. Now I agree the Oven is working perfectly but the gap due to the door not closing 100% is ruining the neighbouring units. Their customer services has asked us to get an independent expert report and submit this to the local store to prove there is a design fault with the oven. What a load of nonsense! Further their customer services said if we do not complain within the first 6 months of the warranty then again we have to get an independent expert report and the onus is on the consumer to prove that there is a design fault in the unit, and even after producing the report it is still up to the store to decide. In fewer words we are not in control.

adam.mt

Well in theory it's up to a court to decide should you choose to take it that far.

As for what an independent report has to show is also a moot point - is stating that a fan needs replacing really the same as saying there's an inherent design or manufacture fault? In my eyes and many others it's not. Thus, it's either up to the retailer to in effect 'give in'* or let a judge decide at court.

* - I hazard a guess this is what usually happens since if a customer is able to present evidence of fault (even if inconclusive) that's obviously a far better position than the retailer refusing repair/replacement and yet not backing it up with any evidence at all.

Mankysteve

Delvadin25 wrote: »

Hi
I agree the Traders have found a loophole around the Sale of Goods Act, by asking for an independent expert report. We bought an Indesit Oven in Feb 2010 from Newton Abbot B&Q branch. The Oven still works perfectly but because the door does not close 100% the surrounding units doors have been affected and the corners of these doors have changed colour. Now I agree the Oven is working perfectly but the gap due to the door not closing 100% is ruining the neighbouring units. Their customer services has asked us to get an independent expert report and submit this to the local store to prove there is a design fault with the oven. What a load of nonsense! Further their customer services said if we do not complain within the first 6 months of the warranty then again we have to get an independent expert report and the onus is on the consumer to prove that there is a design fault in the unit, and even after producing the report it is still up to the store to decide. In fewer words we are not in control.

Its not a loop hole as it clearly states in the SOGA that this required it there to protect retailer from the cost of testing products that have failed due to people abusing the products.

Having in the past worked on return desk of one of the big DIY chain stores I would say about 25 to 50% of faulty refunds are clearly down to miss use of items.

If they item is truly faulty then you get your money back from the report anyway. If fault down to your self and the retailer has to get it tested would you want them claim the money back from you for that test.