Comet after sales 37" LCD TV

JokerDurden

Well at the end of January I managed to convince my wife that I could get a brand new TV. So off we popped to Comet and I picked up a new toshiba 37" LCD TV for £599 (happy days).

Sales advisor was great and convinced us that we should also purchase a monster green power surge protector (£99) and the extra cover insurance (I must have been in gullible mode that day). Reason for the surge protector was that if there was a power surge then we would be covered on our comet insurance as we had taken reasonable precautions.

So one day in June 2010 the clouds went grey and the rumble of thunder started, not a problem we've got our hefty surge protector to help us just in case. 'No' lighting hits a nearby phone line and sends massive volts down the phone line and into the surge protector. Result - TV blown, DVD player blown, external hard drive blown.

So popped into Comet the next day - 'your not covered on the insurance due to it being related to weather' to make any claim you should contact Monster who make the surge protector. After my wife picked her jaw up off the floor the sales advisor then rang up Monster in the USA and put my wife onto the person, apparently it would take 6 months to pick up the item shipped it to the states and get it tested before we could make a claim for consequential loss of items.

When I was told this I was completely dumbstruck, world cup on and only a portable (great). So I got in touch with Consumer Direct who advised me that Comet as the retailer are to take responsibility and ensure it all gets sorted in reasonable time. So letter despatched to their head office giving two weeks for response quoting sales of goods act 1979. Got a phone call back from their head office saying they had been intouch with Monster (in Ireland) and they would be sending out a claim form straight away.

Two weeks passed and nothing received, so letter despatched a couple of days ago by mail and fax saying that Legal action will begin in 14 days due to not being able to resolve complaint.

We've now claimed on the house insurance due to them taking so long, but why should it be my insurance company footing the bill and me paying £50 for the privilage. So legal action is going to continue soon and hopefully I can pay back my insurer.

Has anybody had the same sort of thing with Comet?

Ionkontrol

I feel for you, but I NEVER buy anything from Conmet, they are divs.

JokerDurden

Thanks, unfortunately my insurance company have sent me an electrical replacement card for COMET. Arghhhhhh

DaveF327

The moral of the story is this:

NEVER buy anything more than the item you went into the shop for. It doesn't matter whether it's Comet, Currys, whatever.. they're all the same. Sales staff are always trained to flog you extended warranties (which are rarely worth the paper they're written on) and overpriced accessories which you don't always need.

My mum bought a printer from PC World for a bargain price. They told her it didn't come with a USB cable (which was true) then tried to sell her one for £14.99. I stepped in and told the assistant it wasn't necessary as I had a spare (little white lie). I got her one from Scan for 80p. :money:

If you really believe that you might want what they're trying to flog you, tell them you'll consider it at a later date, then post here for advice. If they spin you a tale about "deal is only on today", just walk out.

JokerDurden

I've not been a member long on these forums but I keep seeing a recuring theme about Comet (or as they are known COnMET) After Sales (sorry, We don't care Sales).

It is now encouraging me to pursue Comet until I get resolution (only 9 days until I start legal action)

If anybody has been in the same situation before with this Company could you let me know how it went as I've heard they can prefer the long term loss rather than short term.

Comet_company_representative

JokerDurden wrote: »

Well at the end of January I managed to convince my wife that I could get a brand new TV. So off we popped to Comet and I picked up a new toshiba 37" LCD TV for £599 (happy days).

Sales advisor was great and convinced us that we should also purchase a monster green power surge protector (£99) and the extra cover insurance (I must have been in gullible mode that day). Reason for the surge protector was that if there was a power surge then we would be covered on our comet insurance as we had taken reasonable precautions.

So one day in June 2010 the clouds went grey and the rumble of thunder started, not a problem we've got our hefty surge protector to help us just in case. 'No' lighting hits a nearby phone line and sends massive volts down the phone line and into the surge protector. Result - TV blown, DVD player blown, external hard drive blown.

So popped into Comet the next day - 'your not covered on the insurance due to it being related to weather' to make any claim you should contact Monster who make the surge protector. After my wife picked her jaw up off the floor the sales advisor then rang up Monster in the USA and put my wife onto the person, apparently it would take 6 months to pick up the item shipped it to the states and get it tested before we could make a claim for consequential loss of items.

When I was told this I was completely dumbstruck, world cup on and only a portable (great). So I got in touch with Consumer Direct who advised me that Comet as the retailer are to take responsibility and ensure it all gets sorted in reasonable time. So letter despatched to their head office giving two weeks for response quoting sales of goods act 1979. Got a phone call back from their head office saying they had been intouch with Monster (in Ireland) and they would be sending out a claim form straight away.

Two weeks passed and nothing received, so letter despatched a couple of days ago by mail and fax saying that Legal action will begin in 14 days due to not being able to resolve complaint.

We've now claimed on the house insurance due to them taking so long, but why should it be my insurance company footing the bill and me paying £50 for the privilage. So legal action is going to continue soon and hopefully I can pay back my insurer.

Has anybody had the same sort of thing with Comet?

Hi JokerDurden,

My name’s Matt and I’m from Comet.

I was concerned to learn of the problems that you are experiencing with your Monster surge protector. I was also disappointed to learn that you have not received the claim form that you where previously promised, which has resulted in a further letter been sent.

Therefore, as I would like to take ownership of this issue, and investigate further please send me an email at the link below, which includes your purchase details.

https://comet.custhelp.com

You will need to register a few details with us to be able to send your e-mail in.

Thanks

Matt

andrewt74

Ionkontrol wrote: »

I feel for you, but I NEVER buy anything from Conmet, they are divs.

Yes, I bought a TV from Comet which was dead on arrival. They refused to give me a refund which I am legally entitled to (I bought another TV so I could watch the World Cup).
Customer services are evasive and dishonest. Eventually I gave in and took a replacement and sold it for a £300 loss.
After doing some research I learn that they ignore your legal rights because you can't enforce them. Aparently if you take it to court they don't respond / turn up but nothing happens because the court don't have the power to enforce the ruling (and Comet know it).

JokerDurden

andrewt74 wrote: »

After doing some research I learn that they ignore your legal rights because you can't enforce them. Aparently if you take it to court they don't respond / turn up but nothing happens because the court don't have the power to enforce the ruling (and Comet know it).

Well thats filled me with hope, hopefully this Matt from Comet can get things moving once I email him tonight. Got called from Conmet HQ this morning still stating that it is with Monster I should be taking this up with and that they have spoken to them and claim form is now in the post (again). Everytime I mention Sales of goods act and them being the retailer I'm just being referred to this Yank product and its for the manufacturer to sort.

JokerDurden

For Matt at Comet reference is '100706-000233'

I,_Brian

Comet have always been awful with customer care:
http://www.ibrian.co.uk/03-09-2005/dont-buy-from-comet/

JokerDurden

Brian, many thanks for the link and OMG!!!!

I cannot believe how many differing stories there are on this Shambolic Company. It's now left me thinking 'who looks after the little people' when a High Street Chain like this is allowed to get away with this.

I'm now not holding my breath with Conmets response.