Halfords - selling exdisplay items as new

ollywood68

I purchased twin portable DVD players on line to be collected in the Bangor store. Collected and paid for them. When I opened the box the screens were not in plastic and were all scraped. So I returned them to the shop and was told that it is normal practice to sell exdisplay items as new as it was the last one in the shop. I asked could he have got me a brand new one from another shop and he said yes he could have but there was nothing wrong with him selling me the exdisplay item as new. I explained that when I wanted something new I expected something new. His line was that exdisplay was new. The DVD player was £100. I wasn't told it was exdisplay. And there was no discount for buying an exdisplay item. I believe the store has an unwritten policy to get rid of exdisplay items in an underhand way. I feel really let down by the store and the attitude of the manager. I have contacted trading standards in north down borough council and have written to their head office. I await their response. But buyer beware.

Mistral001

If the item is damaged then the OP has a case.

An establishment which takes things out of boxes so that their customers can see what they are buying I believe is something called a "shop". Nothing wrong with displaying goods and then selling them as new, it has been going on for thousands of years.

ollywood68

Mistral001 wrote: »

If the item is damaged then the OP has a case.

An establishment which takes things out of boxes so that their customers can see what they are buying I believe is something called a "shop". Nothing wrong with displaying goods and then selling them as new, it has been going on for thousands of years.

Only if the item is perfect condition which this item wasn't. And I'm sorry but if I'm buying a new product I want it new from the box. Other wise I want to be informed that it is exdisplay item and be given a chance to examine the condition of theitem, given the choice to buy the item in its less-than-new condition and to negotiate over the price given that it is no longer in new condition. Items which are scaped to me are damaged goods and the price should reflect that. To me a "shop" is were I am being sold something that I believe I'm buying not somewhere I am being mislead about what I'm buying. But thanks for your definition of a shop albeit a different understanding that what I would have when I buy a new product.

Cherryscone

I always thought they had to say if it was ex display ?
i wouldnt be happy with the item either .

gibbyni

Mistral001 wrote: »

An establishment which takes things out of boxes so that their customers can see what they are buying I believe is something called a "shop". Nothing wrong with displaying goods and then selling them as new, it has been going on for thousands of years.

Shops dont let you take things out of boxes to let you see, just go into Tesco or even Currys and try it and see how long it is before you get kicked out. Display goods and New goods are 2 very different things I wouldnt be happy to take exdisplay items that have been sold as new.

I would also have done the same as you and reported them, well done let us know how you get on.

DohRayMi

Good for you, I wouldn't accept that either.
I bought a set of screwdrivers with a lifetime guarantee from Halfords (or "Halfrauds" as I see them referred to on some motoring forums) and one of them broke nearly straight away, so I went back with it. They hadn't a clue how to deal with it, the manager just stood there like a naughty schoolboy, so I "suggested" they take another box off the shelves and give me the good one out of it to match mine, which they did.
That was a few years ago and the screwdrivers have been brilliant, but if I hadn't stood my ground they didn't seem to give a fig.

saverbuyer

Forgot to reply to this thread but there was a Watchdog programme on this a few years back. The show was specifically about electronic goods such as mobile phones and laptops being returned by one customer and bought as new by another (even though wasn't possible to erase all the previous customers info).