Angry with Argos, but can I do anything?

Stropzilla

Hi, this is my first post, but have been a long time lurker! I don't know where I stand on this but am hoping someone can tell me.

I purchased a dress up outfit for my nearly 4 year old daughter, that said suitable for 3 - 5. Got it home, and it was slightly tight to get over her head and arms so before I tried to force it all the way on, I decided just to take it off and get a refund, or exchange for a bigger size. Unfortunately it got stuck! Where we had got the outfit on, we couldn't get it off again and it started to cause my daughter pain, to the point of tears . I tried to get the top off but honestly she started getting so upset and the top wasn't budging so I had no choice but to tear the top slightly to lift it off! You wouldn't believe I hadn't forced the poor girl into it! There were red marks up her arms where she had tried to pull out and couldn't.

Now, my daughter may be in the middle of the suggested age range, but she certainly isn't fat or overly big for her age. I get comments that she's small! On the Argos website it's a common complaint that the outfit is too small, and when I hold it up against one of her 4 - 5 year old tops, there's a clear difference of 1.5 - 2 inches! If I'd have read the reviews, I would have got the next age up. No way could I get a 5 year old into that. Now, if the top hadn't been torn, I would have simply taken the outfit back, and got the bigger size. As the top has been, is there anything I can do? It clearly isn't suitable for the age they try to say it is, and wouldn't have happened had I been aware. She did mention the bottoms not fitting properly but I think at that point she was just upset.

And yes, normally I do read reviews before I buy anything but this time I was in the shop and didn't have the chance.

So, do I say well I ripped the top, my fault and let it go, or do I say hang on that's clearly not suitable for use looking at the actual measurements of the thing and try to get a refund?

Any advice will be appreciated please be gentle as I'm a newbie, pregnant and half typing out of anger for my very upset daughter!

marywooyeah

you could try appealing to their goodwill explaining what happened but as it's ripped I'd probably write it off if it was me x

arcon5

You have damaged the item, so really you shouldn't be allowed to return it.

You can ofcourse say it arrived like that, they won't be able to prove otherwise and will likely just refund you. However this is not only immoral, I suppose it could also be classed as fraud.

Stropzilla

I think you're right Mary, I'll just let it go. Am just a bit cross that the measurements aren't displayed and come up extremely short if you're expecting it to fit a 5 year old! Arcon, I'd never try to return something I've obviously damaged, although I appreciate people will try it on.

somethingcorporate

Nothing you can do legally since you damaged the item but probably worth a conversation with the manager, if you catch them on a good day I am sure they would give you a refund.

halibut2209

You'd be more likely to get store credit, so if a refund is refused, politely suggest that

outofmoney

Argos can be pretty good so I think if you go and tell them the truth they may be happy to just refund or exchange for a larger one. In fact if you suggest getting the larger they may be more inclined since they are still getting a sale.

Last month I had to return a laptop because the charger wouldn't work. I had only had it a week. When I asked what would happen to the laptop (I was worried about my info) they said it would be destroyed. I couldn't believe it since it was the charger, not laptop at fault. They made no note of this on the returns sheet though so most likely it did get destroyed.

If they can afford to do that I don't think they will quibble about a few pound for a dressing up costume.

lphillips25

i had exactly the same thing at argos with a kids batgirl costume i had to cut it off eventually i complained but nothing ever happened apart from an apology email!