Maplin Vent

bryanb

hoyles10 wrote: »

I saw this thread and for a moment I thought someone was complaining about the holiday camp in Hi-De-Hi Think my brain has finally given up tonight and an early night is in order

Goodnight then, thanks for you wise words.

hoyles10

bryanb wrote: »

Goodnight then, thanks for you wise words.

You're more than welcome.

Ms-Pacman

I had a horrible experience with them which involved the police being called who couldn't understannd why maplins had done that and were really lovely to my partner and I. Out of 3 local to us, 1 we won't go in anymore and we used to spend thousands there each year. Refunding seems to be a major issue for them. Never get a credit note, its more hassle then its worth.

vyle

So, no word on what you needed the cable for or what they supplied?

I ask because some people come and ask me about cables to do a certain job, so I've recommended the correct cable only for them to bring them back because they were asking the wrong questions.

A guy returned an optical cable I sold him because it wasn't the right one for the job.

Now, he actually ASKED me for an optical cable and asked if it would work with a home cinema system, and I said "if your TV has an optical output and the home cinema system has an optical input, yes."

He returned it because it was faulty... because it didn't carry video.

I've sold HDMI cables to people (who have asked for cables to watch full HD through their blu ray player) and asked them if they have HDMI sockets on their TVs. They say yes, then return it as faulty because they don't have an HD tv.

So I'm curious as to what you needed and what they recommended and what the actual item you needed was.

Sooler

bryanb wrote: »

Buying the wrong item is your responsibility - even if they advise you.
You only have a right to a refund if the item is faulty or not fit for the purpose it was designed for.

Maplin have a 28 day return policy for unwanted goods during which you can return an item for a refund.

williham

I returned a faulty webcam to maplin about 5 years ago, they said they wouldn't refund it even though it is their policy to refund within 30 days and it had only been 2 weeks.
I had a long argument with the manager who eventually did the refund out of "goodwill".
I complained to their head office who sent me a nice email back saying that the staff involved had been retrained (the manager!).
The next time I went in I had been banned. I asked why and they said "you know why!" so I guess it was my letter of complaint.
They then said that if I didn't leave they would call the police...

Won't be shopping there again!

Dr_Crypto

Sorry, Vyle.

I wanted to connect my computer to a Bose speaker. I asked them for a cable to do this. They sold me something with a normal speaker plug at one end and then two red and white plugs at the other. I put the speaker plug into the computer's headphone socket and then realised that the speakers didn't have any red/white connectors on them! It seems that what I needed was a 3.5mm jack to jack cable. I found one online for £2 (compared to Maplin's £6) so naturally I wanted a refund for the incorrect cable and to buy the right one for less than half the price.

custardy

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

Sorry, Vyle.

I wanted to connect my computer to a Bose speaker. I asked them for a cable to do this. They sold me something with a normal speaker plug at one end and then two red and white plugs at the other. I put the speaker plug into the computer's headphone socket and then realised that the speakers didn't have any red/white connectors on them! It seems that what I needed was a 3.5mm jack to jack cable. I found one online for £2 (compared to Maplin's £6) so naturally I wanted a refund for the incorrect cable and to buy the right one for less than half the price.

i can see how those sort of questions would be a nightmare for staff though
for example that set up would hook up to my home theater set up fine
though wouldnt be the best method,but again that depends on the outputs of the PC as well

vyle

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

Sorry, Vyle.

I wanted to connect my computer to a Bose speaker. I asked them for a cable to do this. They sold me something with a normal speaker plug at one end and then two red and white plugs at the other. I put the speaker plug into the computer's headphone socket and then realised that the speakers didn't have any red/white connectors on them! It seems that what I needed was a 3.5mm jack to jack cable. I found one online for £2 (compared to Maplin's £6) so naturally I wanted a refund for the incorrect cable and to buy the right one for less than half the price.

Thanks for replying.

It is a difficult situation with ipod docks (and most other hi-fi equipment these days) because some have mini stereo inputs, others do have standard stereo inputs, some have none at all. Without looking at the system itself it'd be a bit of a guessing game.

In some situations where I'm not sure --if the customer doesn't know what connections they have and want to take something NOW -- I sell both cables that could do the job and get them to check when they get home which one is correct and return the one that isn't correct.

Dr_Crypto

Hi Vyle,

That sounds like a sensible way of doing it. I just didn't understand their attitude. All they had to do was put the cable back in the packet and back on the shelf. I didn't need to be treated to a session with the Maplin Gestapo (TM) and their pointless questions.