Faulty item bought at exhibition - company wont respond

italiastar

I bought a drill adaptor at an exhibition earlier this year. It was one of these gadgets that was well demonstrated, and made you want to have one - in fact many people were taken in. On my first attempt to use it, it failed to work properly, damaging the piece of wood I was working on (for the trolls - it was a floorboard, so I wont be looking for compensation for this). Three more attempts and it jammed completely, not releasing the screw. I've taken it apart, but as soon as you replace the screw it jams.

The company offered a full 5 year guarantee, and replacement of any bits that you may break - adding that he had never seen a damaged bit.

They demonstrate at many exhibitions. Now the worrying part - they would only take cash and did not provide a receipt. The only contact is by letter and they are not responding to my letters. Their registered address is a firm of accountants, and the only other address that I've found associated with them is a bungalow.

Is there any advice as to what I can do? So far all I can do is wait for the next exhibition and raise the matter at the stand.

wealdroam

What is the name of the company who sold the thing to you?

Are there any names or trademarks on it that you could search the internet for?

italiastar

wealdroam wrote: »

What is the name of the company who sold the thing to you?

Are there any names or trademarks on it that you could search the internet for?

I've searched the Internet and that's how I found out the accountancy firm and bungalow. There is nothing else. They are a company which runs some of the trade stands and I have seen them selling similar items at different exhibitions for many years, hence why I purchased from them. I would prefer not to name them openly yet.

tomwakefield

Should it come to it, could you prove in a court that you bought a drill from this company, or how much you paid?

italiastar

tomwakefield wrote: »

Should it come to it, could you prove in a court that you bought a drill from this company, or how much you paid?

Possibly not - although the product is only available from them and it has their details on it, However I agree, but the tax man may also be interested in knowing how they operate.

pitkin2020

TBH if they only deal from trade fairs and are a back room business (trading from a bungalow) they may not have CC facilities and aren't likely to accept a cheque. If you name the company than maybe others have had a dealing with them and maybe able to offer a solution, or atleast maybe find contact details you haven't found.

Your not naming and shaming because at the moment by your own admission they haven't really done anything wrong as yet, just hard to get hold of.

Flyboy152

italiastar wrote: »

Possibly not - although the product is only available from them and it has their details on it, However I agree, but the tax man may also be interested in knowing how they operate.

Unfortunately that is not proof of you buying the goods from them. You could have potentially bought the goods, second-hand, from someone else.

Are you going to a trade show anytime soon? Perhaps, if you are, a quiet word in the ear of the demonstrator might be a useful strategy. If they refuse to help, perhaps a louder word during one of their demonstrations, would be a better one.

italiastar

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Unfortunately that is not proof of you buying the goods from them. You could have potentially bought the goods, second-hand, from someone else.

Are you going to a trade show anytime soon? Perhaps, if you are, a quiet word in the ear of the demonstrator might be a useful strategy. If they refuse to help, perhaps a louder word during one of their demonstrations, would be a better one.

I agree - that is going to be my only option, although I might risk being evicted from the exhibition.

pitkin2020

italiastar wrote: »

I agree - that is going to be my only option, although I might risk being evicted from the exhibition.

A good company will deal with you before you have the chance to make a scene. Take the broken one with you they may even replace it there and then. If they aren't interested then make a scene. A squeaky wheel always gets attention!!

I would advise you get to the exhibition early and see the traders you really want to see before making a scene in case you are ejected lol.

Flyboy152

italiastar wrote: »

I agree - that is going to be my only option, although I might risk being evicted from the exhibition.

Not before they have lost several sales.