Argos - Beware their poor after sales Service

KevMaw

Having bought a basketball hoop and stand from Argos (AND1 Lay Up Basketball System. 928/1703) just before Christmas, I had mistakenly left it out in the high winds in January.

Understandably, it took a trip across the garden and the main backboard to the basketball hoop smashed into more bits than I could find!

After searching the net, couldn't find a distributor, so contacted Argos directly asking for a method of obtaining a spare at my cost.

To my amazement, Argos stated that the product was an import and a spare could not be made available.

Wow! £129+ ends in the council recycling depot after only 6 weeks (yes I know it was my fault), but, surely so called reputable businesses like Argos have a duty of care to their customers and the environment to offer reasonable after care?

Especially to bulky, relatively expensive outdoor sports equipment that has 'damage risk' written all over it?

Grrr

nickcc

Can't you use a piece of aluminium or ply in place of the broken backboard, would be cheaper than buying a new complete unit.

Enterprise_1701C

Surely you only need something that is capable of taking a ball bouncing off it? Easy enough to find.

Surprised you did not find a way to secure a £129 plus damage risk though, it is fairly obvious that something with a large flat surface on it is going to be blown around by the wind!!!

As for Argos finding a replacement, have you any idea how many things they stock? If you think it is so easy to provide a replacement then have a look on the net. (Which is, incidentally, the first thing I would have done)

cockaleekee

I fail to see the problem - Argos have given you an honest reply. They bulk buy products for an incredibly low price and that is the end of their relationship with the manufacturer (in respect of that product). In this kind of arrangement manufacturers do not make spares, they will produce the number requested and no more.

KevMaw

Thanks everyone, just for clarity, I wasn't expecting Argos to provide a part. I would expect though that a product bought in the UK, would have a UK distributor that could be contacted for a spare part.

Syman

you could try contacting one of the various companies on Amazon that sell/ have sold these.

pmduk

Most manufacturers don't make spares, end of. If they're not made, Argos can't help you source them. If spares are important for a product, then do the research before you buy to check their availability.