Help, purchased a refurbished washing machine 7 weeks ago

Tinkerbell*

Help! I purchased a refurbished washing machine 7 weeks ago from a shop in my local town. When purchased I was given a 6 month guarantee. 2 days ago I noticed the machine had not stopped its cycle but continued to wash and wash and wash for nearly 4 hours in cold water, I eventually turned of the mains supply and ran it through a spin cycle which luckily it did.
I returned to the shop yesterday only to be told that the current owners have only just recently taken over the premises and my misfortune was nothing to do with them although they would take my contact details and pass it on to the previous owner who would sort it out!! I was told to expect a telephone call sometime yesterday.........
The call never came...... what do I do now??
Where do I stand with my consumer rights??
Help!!!! :mad:

Quentin

If the shop went bust, register as a creditor.

If you paid with a credit card contact them with a view to a s75 claim.

Tinkerbell*

Thank you for your help. How do I register as a creditor?

Quentin

Awaiting the outcome of a liquidation (to see if creditors get anything) is not a quick fix, but worth a try:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1084625130&type=RESOURCES

sarahg1969

OP, if I were you, I'd do a bit of digging to see if they were telling you the truth about taking over the shop from previous owners. It could be their standard line when things go wrong.

unholyangel

I seem to remember reading someone saying once that it all depends how the business was sold. If they straightout took over the business, they usually inherit the legal liabilities too. However, i'm not sure whether it is accurate or not (I know that in employment law, if a business is simply transferred.....the terms and conditions of employment are transferred too under TUPE but not sure if there are laws which extend the same transfer of liabilities for cases such as these - i do also remember reading about woolworths and that any buyers would have to pay off their debt).

It may be worth a call to consumer direct or citizens advice to enquire about this, you never know

Did the business change its name at all?

texranger

if the business has changed hands and the previous owner was just a sole trader then even if the business has the same name then the onus is on the prvious owner as he was the business entity as it would be joe bloggs T/A business name. if the business is a ltd company and just changed directors then it is the company that is liable