Halford Screwed me over on a Bike

markholland8

Hi,
I'm after some advice, my Step Sons Dad bought him a bike from halfords for Christmas and the crank has rounded off and it is about 6 1/2 months old. I took it there and they said because he rod it damaged (from School) and now what me to pay over £100 for the repair which is what the bike costs anyway. So my question is where do i stand.

I presume most things were warrantied for a yeas and least you'd expect it to last 12 month.

Thanks Mark

AndyAndyAndy

Mark,
Warranties do not tend to cover against damage caused during use or normal "wear and tear". In general they are for manufacturing defects. Without further details it is hard to tell whether it was manufacturing defect or from damage during use. Halfords obviously believe that it was damage. You could try taking the bike to a different halfords store, perhaps they will come to a different conclusion.

Other than that you would try for "not fit for purpose" pointing out that the bike has only been used for its intended purpose (presuming it hasn't been used for jumps or ridiculous downhill mountain biking) and suggest if they don't deal with the problem satisfactorily you will report the matter to trading standards?

Either way, I believe you have to try to get them to deal with it themselves before involving any other authority.

Hope that helps

Poppycat

Even a cheap bike should last over 6 months unless its used 24/7

I would say its not fit for purpose but after 6 months the onus is on the buyer to prove its not fit for purpose as per sales of goods act

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html



• Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.


• In general, the onus is on all purchasers to prove the goods did not conform to contract (e.g. was inherently faulty) and should have reasonably lasted until this point in time (i.e. perishable goods do not last for six years).


• If a consumer chooses to request a repair or replacement, then for the first six months after purchase it will be for the retailer to prove the goods did conform to contract (e.g. were not inherently faulty)

AndyAndyAndy

This link explains quite well your rights and when it will be assumed in favour or purchaser or seller. I think in your case as it is outside 6 months the assumption is in favour of the seller and the onus is indeed on you to prove it was inherently faulty or not fit for its intended purpose.

The_Pedant

Did Halfords assemble the bike or did you assemble it yourself?
What checks and maintenance have been performed on the bicycle over the past 6 1/2 months and what checks were recommended in the owners handbook/assembly instructions?
Has there been any 'play' apparent at all & if so for how long.

Unfortunately, as pointed out the onus is on yourselves to show that the part was inherently faulty. In light of how easy it is for a loose part to cause the fault if not checked/tightened it may be a bit of an uphill battle finding someone who would support the conclusion you are after.

With a couple of basic tools and possibly one to two more specialised ones you might be able to fix it easily for half that cost, if required.

molerat

Bikes need regular maintenance, in fact far more than a car. I am certain that the handbook supplied with the bike states that the bottom bracket should be checked and tightened monthly, was it ? Were the regular weekly checks carried out ? Did the bike have its free six week service ? 99% of bike faults are caused by lack of maintenance and left hand cranks are a classic, they do not come loose overnight and kids do not tell you something is wrong until it has dropped off !! If it has rounded off it was ridden for a long time with it loose.

KeithP

molerat wrote: »

If it has rounded off it was ridden for a long time with it loose.

I totally agree with this view. Poor maintenance.

gordikin

I'd suggest you get the purchaser to contact Halfords as you have no rights.