GROUPON ... what are my rights?

moksha_2

Can someone help/advise me please?

I bought a watch via Groupon on 28th September from one of their 'associates' ~ a company called South Lane.

Groupon debited my account on the 30th October. 9 days before the watch was even sent out.

When the watch arrived it was broken. SouthLane asked me to post it back but as I'd have to pay for recorded delivery, a cost I couldnt recoup, I said they had to send me a reply paid envelope.

They haven't. This has dragged on for weeks now despite emailing both SouthLane and Groupon to try and resolve the problem.

The latest communication (a week after I sent my email) from Groupon insists I return the watch, recorded delivery to South Lane or try to get them to send me a reply paid envelope.

I feel we're going round in circles.

Who is my contract with and do I have to bear the cost of returning goods which are not suitable for the purpose for which they were purchased?

Any suggestions please?

System

why did groupon debit your account a month later for the watch? I thought with groupon you buy a voucher and pay for that straight away. Then you receive a voucher to reedeem the item from the retailer. I don't understand what sort of deal you've done here? Is it different to a normal Groupon deal?

arcon5

You have two contracts as far as i'm aware

- you and groupon; you purchased a voucher to be used at a specific retaielrs website.
- you and retailer; you formed a contract with them using a voucher as your method of payment.

For faulty goods, the retailer is responsible for return costs.

But as you've discovered enforcing these rights are sometimes easier said than done.

bris

The retailer does have the right to inspect the goods to determine if they are faulty though, so sending them back first is not an unreasonable request. Once the fault has been established then you should get the refund costs back.
By letting it drag on for weeks, you are only cutting your nose of to spite your face, they won't care if you send it back or not.

moksha_2

Bris ... But this potentially means I'll have paid for a watch which doesn't work ... paid to return it ... and still be left with nothing. SouthLane doesn't appear to be a very efficient company. Rather than cutting my nose off I feel I'm avoiding throwing more money after a lost cause.

From Arcon5's posting it would appear the retailer is responsible anyway if the goods are faulty?

System

moksha wrote: »

Bris ... But this potentially means I'll have paid for a watch which doesn't work ... paid to return it ... and still be left with nothing. SouthLane doesn't appear to be a very efficient company. Rather than cutting my nose off I feel I'm avoiding throwing more money after a lost cause.

From Arcon5's posting it would appear the retailer is responsible anyway if the goods are faulty?

But if you don't send the item to the retailer then they won't refund you the money. They are not just going to take your word for it being faulty. If you don't send it back you are not going to get anything

arcon5

moksha wrote: »

Bris ... But this potentially means I'll have paid for a watch which doesn't work ... paid to return it ... and still be left with nothing. SouthLane doesn't appear to be a very efficient company. Rather than cutting my nose off I feel I'm avoiding throwing more money after a lost cause.

From Arcon5's posting it would appear the retailer is responsible anyway if the goods are faulty?

yes that's correct. Or if you do pay for return costs they should reimburse you once they have confirmed a fault.

But the retailer isn't playing by the rules which is why your in this situation. I fear unless your willing to go to court, you will end up out of pocket by £3-£4 for the return