Argos refuse refund - help appreciated thx

savingqueen

Hi

My parents wanted a gazebo from Argos. As they don't drive, I took my mum in my car to their local Argos about 3 weeks ago when I was visiting with my kids (we live 200 miles away). We bought a gazebo and when I returned back to my home they tried it out. It was bigger than they had thought and too flimsy on a windy day. They took great trouble to repack it carefully (difficult as the gazebo was put in a box that was stapled after packing in the factory rather than simply slid into a made up box - hope that makes sense)

When we returned to my parents last week for our 2nd and last visit over the summer holidays, they asked me to return it to Argos. Mum and I took it back, in perfect condition, carefully packed, one end loosely sellotaped so the staff could inspect the contents if needs be, all labels etc perfect and accompanying receipt still within 30 days.

The woman on the till refused to refund the money as she said the manager wouldn't accept it (said with rolled eyes and a sigh as if on our side), Mum asked to speak to manager and he refused to accept the box back as it wasn't in an "acceptable condition". The box and contents was in perfect condition so we were completely flabbergasted. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Mum complained to head office who said they would phone the branch and get back to mum. They reported back that they had spoken to the manager and he said the box wasn't in prefect condition and that they always back their staff so that was the end of that.

Mum and I are seething, more principle than the money although they are on a small pension and can't afford to waste money. Argos are talking about a box, not the product and in any case we know that the box was absolutely fine. Problem is now the gazebo is 200 miles away in my parent's garage so I can't just pop up and get it to take it to another store who I feel sure will refund the money (my local Argos is fab with refunds) and its too difficult for my parents to go miles away (they live in a rural area), pay cab fares etc.

I have never been refused a refund anywhere before (or a credit note if not) and especially for something that I feel meets all the terms and conditions for a refund.

Any advice anyone? :idea:also am I allowed to say which branch it is and save others a similar misfortune?
TIA

Jo_F

Which terms and conditions does it meet for a refund?

It's not faulty, and if the box is sealed with selotape then it is not in a resalable condition, would you accept a box from Argos that had been opened and then resealed like that?

It seems that you are wanting to return it as it's the wrong one, therefore Argos have no obligation to refund it.

For the record, very few gazebos are any good in windy conditions.

*Kat*

ITA with Jo_F. Once the product is opened it can't be resold so the store will only refund/return it if it's a faulty product.

ShaneUK

Unfortunately, looking at the returns policy they are within their rights to refuse a refund

Most things we sell are covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee, so just return them to us unused, in their original undamaged packaging, in a saleable condition, with your receipt and we’ll give you a refund.

jb66

Take it back saying its faulty, say its not sturdy enough in the wind. Thats a fault in my eyes

hollydays

Can you just take it to a different argos?

derrick

hollydays wrote: »

Can you just take it to a different argos?

savingqueen wrote: »

Problem is now the gazebo is 200 miles away in my parent's garage so I can't just pop up and get it to take it to another store who I feel sure will refund the money (my local Argos is fab with refunds) and its too difficult for my parents to go miles away (they live in a rural area), pay cab fares etc.

...............

savingqueen

I can only assume from those who totally disagree with me that you work for Argos. Obviously there are employees in chains like Argos who sit in their offices searching for rants against them who log on pretending to be genuine MSErs.

"Consumer revenge"??? I think some people have switched to the other side! ha ha

Never mind my parents will never spend another penny in their local Argos (they live in Spalding).

neilmcl

Here we go again. A poster doesn't get the answers they want and they lose the plot and start accusing everyone of working for the company in question. Get over yourself.

Jo_F

I can assure you that I do not work for Argos, but I have spent a lot of time working in retail, and I know that a sellotaped back together box would render that item unsellable, also, I have a gazebo, and I knew from the moment that I bought it that wind could and would be a problem (I do a lot of outdoor events), we spend a lot of time holding the gazebo against the wind, they are never meant to be used in strong windy conditions, mine can just about tolerate a moderate wind.

The item is not faulty, the same would apply to a gazebo bought anywhere, in fact I am sure that it says in the instructions for mine that it is not intended for use in windy/very wet conditions (we found out the other week that it is indeed shower proof, but definately not monsoon proof)

savingqueen

neilmcl wrote: »

Here we go again. A poster doesn't get the answers they want and they lose the plot and start accusing everyone of working for the company in question. Get over yourself.

How rude! I haven't "lost the plot". I just asked for some advice originally and am as entitled to post and give my opinion as the next person. I don't post to slag people off - but of course you may if you choose, that is your right.

If you choose to reply to this post, I won't be bothering to reply.
I have better things to do with my time.