Manufacturers responsibilities?

bylromarha

One of the products I sell should work for a few years.

Seems it has given up the ghost after 5 and a half months.

The customer has contacted the manufacturer, under their 1 year guarantee, who has told them it was obviously faulty when it was sold (despite having worked perfectly for the past 5 and a half months) and to contact me as the seller.

I am going to put things right with the customer, but it annoys me that a large manufacturer can abdicate their responsibility like this when their warranty page clearly states that customers have a 12 month cover.

deanos

Are you a business seller then ?

macfly

That's not enough. You have to be a licensed reseller with the company.

bylromarha

I purchased from a authorised wholesaler who only sells to trade. The manufacturer distributes their product this way to a several wholesalers.

I'm not sure how they can keep tabs on all the wholesalers customers - if this isn't an authorised way to sell, then why sell to wholesalers? The wholesaler is clear which manufacturers are not happy for ebay sellers to use, and this manufacturer isn't on the list!

And yes, I'm a business seller

macfly

Have a crack at them then. If this is the way they distribute, they have a responsibility to make sure the item is fit for purpose. I'm impressed with your customer service, as many would wash their hands after nearly six months.

System

As a business seller you should be aware that SOGA applies. This makes the seller responsible, not the manufacturer, especially if it lasted less than 6 months.

macfly

It's so difficult to enforce, though you are correct. How can either party prove the item wasn't inherently faulty etc. Worth it for an expensive item. How many sellers on ebay would jsut fob you off?