Sports Direct refusing refund

Walton05

I bought a badminton racket for my father as a xmas present. On first use 2 of the strings snapped which is obviously highly embarassing for me as i bought it as a gift. On returning it to store they have point blank refused to exchange or refund and to rub salt into the wounds told me that it was my fault as I didnt get the brand new racket re-strung before first use and as such I am liable. Any help would be much appreciated as I feel this is outrageous

SuperHan

Provided you bought within 6 months, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement under SoGA. You may get further if you get in touch with Sports Direct customer service or head office - their staff aren't often well versed in consumer law.

They are legally obliged to remedy the problem though, you might just have a fight on your hands to get said remedy.

arcon5

SuperHan wrote: »

Provided you bought within 6 months, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement under SoGA. You may get further if you get in touch with Sports Direct customer service or head office - their staff aren't often well versed in consumer law.

They are legally obliged to remedy the problem though..., you might just have a fight on your hands to get said remedy.

... or inspect the goods to prove the damage is the result of mis-use. The 6 month rule merely relates to who the burden of proof is on, rather than what rights you necessarily have.

Is it standard practice to have a racket restrung before first use? Doesn't sound normal to me!!

Contact their head office though. Sports Direct staff are jobsworths - if their reputation is anything to go by! (No offence if you work for them and are that exception).

Walton05

Ha Ha, I don't work for them but quite frankly got annoyed with them telling me they could do nothing as it was store policy. To obviously ignore the Law and all I could do is call an 0845 number during office hours. Upon telling them I work during this time was duly told well that's your problem.

SuperHan

arcon5 wrote: »

... or inspect the goods to prove the damage is the result of mis-use. The 6 month rule merely relates to who the burden of proof is on, rather than what rights you necessarily have.

Yes. Or this. For a racket (which I'm guessing is fairly inexpensive, as it's from Sports Direct? I don't shop there though, so I could be being presumptuous) I don't expect they'll bother though....

AFAIK, they are within their rights to send you to a central number for SoGA returns. A lot of retailers aren't equipped to deal in store, so will forward you to customer services to arrange the remedy.

firsttimeonlinebuyer

I do not know much about the customer rights in Uk but my recent purchase with sports direct hasn't been any pleasing which compels me to find out more.
I recently purchased a few items out of which a pair of trainers was faulty. The stitches had come off in some places and the right shoe was a used one!! The sole was full of dust and the shoe had all signs of having been worn already!. I promptly returned it the same afternoon with a signed for delivery asking for an exchange/ refund.
In two days i got a reply stating that required size was not available thus i shall be given a refund for the price of the shoe which they did in a week's time. They make it look as if i have changed my mind n thus asking for exchange and its not their fault.
As stated on their website i am entitled for a refund of delivery charges as the item was faulty. They have refunded only the price of the shoe and not the delivery charges. Even if i ignore the refund of delivery charges as the order had other items too, ain't i entitled atleast to get the postage paid by me to return the faulty items back to them.
I feel cheated as i had to pay the initial delivery charges and still didn't get what i wanted. Additionally i had to shell out of my pocket to return the faulty used pair of shoes!!!
I have written to them through the contact us page on their website as there is no phone no. or customer service. haven't got any reply yet. Any advice or help appreciated.

musicmaker29

I have had issues with sports direct in the past - very unhappy with them, good luck.

if you ask in shop they will give you a complaint form to send to head office and a phone number.

DreamerV

I'm shocked how terrible they are! I've had problem with so many other stores/companies in the last year, but I thought with something as simple as a refund, for something broken so soon after buying, there wouldn't be so much fuss on their side. It's obvious without them rectifying this, you would be unlikely to buy from them again. In the long run, it would be more sensible for them to refund you now. It's not like you've just changed your mind because you don't like the colour or similar!