Nursery goods only have a 6 month warranty?

Sponge

We bought a Chicco highchair a little over 6 months ago and it's designed to be folded to allow putting away. The padded cover for the seat started to show signs of damage from the lowering of the seat prior to folding the legs. This happened after 5 months or so. It's been getting worse over recent weeks and we finally had time to take it back to the shop today.

We did call them first though and they were very helpful, implying it's not uncommon and that they would help all they could. When we got there, we didn't see the gentleman we spoke to on the phone, but were served by the very nice man that sold us the chair. He was shadowed by a younger assistant. She looked new.

As soon as it was evident we were looking for a replacement of the cover, not the whole seat I might add, the girl blurted out, 'Nursery goods are only covered for 6 months!'

The other guy checked the receipt and we are just over 6 months. He said he needed to contact Chicco, see if it was a known issue and if they would offer a replacement/repair. He didn't carry spares and he reiterated that as it was over 6 months, it isn't under warranty anyway, but Chicco may help.

I didn't want to argue with him until we know if Chicco offer a fix, but if they don't, what's all this about 6 month warranties? As far as I am aware the Sale of Goods Act doesn't include any restrictions like this other than having to prove, after 6 months, that the fault shouldn't have occurred/it was faulty on purchase.

Any advice on how to proceed should the shop not be able to replace the cover (Chicco reject claim) or they then say they have no liability as it's after 6 months?

For the record, we have followed all manufacturer's instructions in the use of the highchair. It is designed to be collapsed and put away. I don't consider it unreasonable for such a product to survive 6 months of normal use.

deanos

Most nursery goods have a 6 month warranty i dont know why, i would be intrested on legal rights, as we have bought a lot of nursery items for our new child which should be here any day soon :j

bmth123

i can think of no reason why these would be excluded.

There is a difference between your rights under the sale of goods act and warranties. Warranties are generally offered by manufacturers whereas your contract is with the retailer and therefore covered by the sale of goods act. Ultimately you would need to prove that it had not been of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose but civil law is based on a test of reasonableness.

Before getting too tied up in the legalities of it though if you fail to get help from the retailer I would try the manufacturer direct. They have no obligation to help you but they will want to protect their brand name.

I would suggest looking at this website - http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/your-rights/fs_c04.shtml

This is a government funded service which has in many parts of the UK taken over the civil law advice service that was previously offered by trading standards. There is an online form you can use to contact them if you want advice on how to proceed further.

Sponge

I emailed Chicco before I contacted the retailer and at first they offered a telephone number to order (buy) a replacement.

I emailed them again saying I thought the cover was of unsatisfactory quality and wanted a replacement under warranty. They said I had to take the matter up with the retailer.

Your posts reinforces my thoughts on my rights under the SoGA, but I am concerned on how a consumer would prove goods are faulty in a case like mine. Short of having to take the matter all the way to a court and employ experts to offer opinions on them. As if that's gonna happen! :rolleyes:

hollydays

How much did you pay for the chair?

Sponge

We haggled him down from £99 to £89. Polly Double Phase.