When is a Power Tool not a Power Tool??

smileypigface

I have just returned from a trip to my local B&Q who are displaying many many signs inside and outside the store that there is currently 20% off power tools. One of the largest signs as you go through the door, facing the customer service desk proudly announces "20% off ALL power tools" - with the word "ALL" in capital letters and emphasised with a star logo drawn around it.

I puchased an electrically powered diamond wheel tile cutter but was told at the checkout, and then by the manager, that this is not in fact a power tool. I pointed out that it is electrically powered, it has a motor and it is a tool for cutting tiles. But the manager tells me that it is not infact a power tool. However, when asked, he could not tell me what it is, if not a power tool - merely that Head Office allow them to advertise in this way so that's OK (oh right!). I told him that I didn't think Trading Standards would agree that this is OK - but apparently Head Office says it's OK, so it is!

I have just rung Trading Standards who inform me that this is misleading advertising and as such is illegal - they are going to take this up with B&Q.

I am now writing my letter of complaint to B&Q to request a 20% refund as I have purchased a tool that is driven by power and expected to benefit from their widely advertised offer. I will point out my disappointment that their Manager was unable to offer any satisfactory answers to my question regarding the classification of my purchase (if it is not in fact a power tool) - other than expecting me to accept that Head Office say its OK, so it is!

Does this sound a reasonable course of action? I expect the Manager is busily going around the store crossing out the word "ALL" on the signs now - maybe I should have taken a picture with my mobile phone to prove the signs did say that - or am I just being too suspicious!!!!!!! Does anyone know how quickly Trading Standards chase up this kind of thing?

Canucklehead

Hi My O/H ... Canucklehead enjoys this kind of thing!! and would give the manager a hard time.

I think you are correct.Look in the https://www.screwfix.com catalogue and you will find tile cutters in the power tool section.
Wickes do a good cutter (I have one)
Don't hold your breath for Trading Standards. Bad publicity is as effective as anything.
Good post!!

Corgi Guy.

weekendwarrior

B&Q are wrong about this-

A power tool is a tool with a motor. The addition of the motor reduces the work that the operator has to do, and sometimes makes it possible for the operator to do things that are difficult or impossible to do by hand. Common power tools include the drill, various types of saws, the router, the electric sander, and the lathe. All of these tools have manual equivalents (see hand tool).

Taken from -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_tool

smileypigface

Thought I'd post my response from B&Q ....

Got a letter yesterday telling me I didn't get the discount because my item was not Black and Decker or Bosch??????????

Hmmmm, perhaps the Customer Services Advisor had some trouble understanding the issue raised was that the advertising clearly stated "20% off ALL power tools"?

So, I rang the number on the letter. Explained my confusion at the response I have received and was told, "yes, well, the person shouldn't have written that":mad: - oh well, that's OK then!!!!!!!!!!

But the real answer to my complaint is that the term "power tool" is used to describe a certain set of items that fall into a particular category used by B&Q in their internal classification system.

Oh right, so I am expected to know that when I read the words "power tool" in B&Q I should understand that this is intended to convey the B&Q-specific use of the words and I should set aside any other knowledge of the meaning of these words and KNOW that they mean something different in B&Q!!!!!:mad:

Apparently the staff in the store are there to put me right, should I venture in with just the knowledge I should reasonably be expected to have of the meaning of these words - so it's OK to lure me in with the promise of a discount as long as they provide a member of staff to "put me right" when I get to the checkout!!!!!???!!!!

Oh well, another letter to B&Q (copy to Trading Standards).

Grrrrrrr - sorry this is probably more suited to the "Vent" board!

thekid_2

I particularly like the fact that in the screwfix catalogue these are called power tools, but in B&Q they aren't.

screwfix and B&Q are both the same company! Perhaps you can use this in your argument.

Bright_Spark_4

Not a lawyer, but you might find that a power tool is defined as any equipment designed to be held in the hand that is powered by electricity etc.
Not sure, but would expect that bench grinders and saw tables would not come in for the 20% reduction.

navig8r

This is what B&Q refer to as power tools :http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_reffacet=categories&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b8530301%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b8530335%7d&fh_refview=summary&fh_secondid=9220401&fh_view=detail&fh_oneslice=yes&fh_refpath=facet_30202263&ts=1168608869063

And a tile cutter as : an electric tile cutter : http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?fh_reffacet=categories&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b8530301%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b8530903%7d&fh_refview=summary&fh_secondid=8590002&fh_oneslice=yes&fh_view=detail&fh_refpath=facet_30202263&fh_eds=%c3%9f&ts=1168609115617 .

Dave