online store not being helpful - where do I stand?

Vic112

Last August, I bought a small unit which when plugged into the back of car stereo allows your iPod to be played through the car stereo.

At first it worked fine but then it started being very temperamental, working one day then not the next and sometime not at all. I emailed the online store and they told me to send it back and they would send out a replacement.

I sent the faulty one back and they sent out another but this one doesn't work at all. I emailed them again to tell them that it didn't work and they replied saying it probably wasn't a problem with the unit and that it must be something else. So I've emailed back to ask for another unit (as I strongly believe it is the unit that's faulty) or even a full refund and they've not replied.

Where do I stand with something like this? The stereo/radio/cd player all work fine which is why I think it must be the unit but I don't think I can prove it. Then again, they can't prove it's not the unit that's faulty.

unholyangel

What date did you buy it and what date did you send it back to them as faulty?

In the first 6 months after purchase, the onus is on the retailer to prove the fault isnt inherent. After that, the burden of proof switches so that the consumer needs to prove the fault was inherent.

How much money are we talking here? If it was only £10, it may not be worth your time fighting it.

wealdroam

OP, is the seller in the UK?

Vic112

I bought it 20th August 2012 and emailed them about the problem on 19th February 2012 (posting it back a few days later).

The seller is in the UK (London) and the unit cost me £49.99.

Do you still think it's worth chasing up a refund?

wealdroam

Vic112 wrote: »

I bought it 20th August 2012 and emailed them about the problem on 19th February 2012 (posting it back a few days later).

The seller is in the UK (London) and the unit cost me £49.99.

Do you still think it's worth chasing up a refund?

So you have had the thing for one day under six months. Maybe a few days less than that, allowing for delivery.

That is significant because after six months the onus is on you to prove that it was faulty at the time of sale.
In the first six months it is for the seller to prove that it wasn't faulty at the time of sale.

The seller either proves that the thing is not inherently faulty, or provides a remedy.
That remedy could be a replacement, repair or refund.
you choose the remedy, but you cannot insist on a remedy that is disproportionately costly. So effectively the seller chooses the cheapest remedy.
If a refund is decided upon, then that can be reduced to take account of the use you have had.

Talk to the seller.
If you get resistance, it may be best to write.