Snow chains/socks advice

joess

Hiya

I have a vehicle with tyre size 225/55/19 and phoned a company on 12.11.10 wanting some snow chains, they advised the car couldn't have chains and I needed the snow socks. They said they'd be £46.95 plus £4.95 P&P total £51.90. They arrived in the post - all fine, was advised not to use them unless there was snow as they would get damaged.

Fast forward to today, were a foot in snow so I put the snow socks on however they are too small and don't go anywhere near fitting the wheel. I've had a look on the packaging and it says largest wheel it'll fit is 235/50/18 - which is nothing like my wheel.

Phoned the company and person I spoke to said they'd accept them back but I have to pay recorded delivery p&p back (about £6 as they are heavy) plus a £4.95 restocking fee and I wont get my original p&p fee back so I'm £15.90 out of pocket, I said I felt I shouldn't loose out on money as they have sent me the wrong item but he became very confrontational and said he had 'only tried to help' - which I honestly wish he had just said he didn't sell them for my car.

Where do I stand on this? any ideas?

Thanks in advance

MrRedundant

You should have checked the size and returned them sooner.

I'd question the mentality of anyone in the UK buying snow chains :S

OlliesDad

MrRedundant wrote: »

I'd question the mentality of anyone in the UK buying snow chains :S

Why? There is lots of people who live in remote areas and some people who have to drive offroad.

In areas that have large amounts of ice and snow and being mobile is a neccesity, snow chains are perfect.

Torby

OlliesDad wrote: »

Why? There is lots of people who live in remote areas and some people who have to drive offroad.

In areas that have large amounts of ice and snow and being mobile is a neccesity, snow chains are perfect.

there in lies the problem, they only work in snow and there has to be a minimum depth or you destroy your tyres...

joess

Torby wrote: »

there in lies the problem, they only work in snow and there has to be a minimum depth or you destroy your tyres...

Which is why I have only just tried to use them, were a foot deep in snow. They are not snow chains they are the socks so will not damage the tyre in any way.

joess

MrRedundant wrote: »

I'd question the mentality of anyone in the UK buying snow chains :S

I'm not mental either but thanks for your concern....

OlliesDad

Torby wrote: »

there in lies the problem, they only work in snow and there has to be a minimum depth or you destroy your tyres...

Apologies, should have said socks rather than chains.

To the OP, as the items are not as described then you would be entitled to a full refund and the retailer should bear any costs involved.

They seem to admit that they made a mistake judging by the fact the stated "they were only trying to help".

Optimist

I agree with the above the retailer should pay the costs of return.

As an aside I can recommend snow socks. My OH has a Volvo which one would think would be brilliant in snow , unfortunately its not and she tends to get stuck in the lightest snow.

I got her some socks and they are brilliant and just give that bit of extra grip. The only hassle is having to stop to remove them on cleared roads or they wear away.

aheaton46

Personally I'd post them back and get the purchase cost refunded (that way at least you have some of the money back).

I'd then start trying to get the postage back afterwards. Recorded letter to them stating your rights, that it was their error etc. Then threaten small claims court if they don't pay up.

wealdroam

joess wrote: »

...plus a £4.95 resocking fee...

A resocking fee?

A new one on me, but particularly appropriate.

joess

wealdroam wrote: »

A resocking fee?

A new one on me, but particularly appropriate.

Ha ha well spotted!