Fridge freezer not suitable what are my rigths

valderon

My parents recently bought a new fridge freezer from argos, which like their 2 previous models they wanted to be placed in our houses adjoining garage. this fridge freezer has not been working properly since they purchased it and since having an engineer to come out and look at it they have found out that it is not suitable to be placed in the garage, as due to the low temperatures in the winter it will not work properly

they have had this item less than 30 days and have contacted argos to see if they can get a refund or the product replaced but they have received a flat no on both cases and are atm stuck with this applaice that is not suitable for the job they bought it for

i was just wondering if anyone could let us know what our actual rights are in this situation and if there is anything we can do

any help much appreciated

maninthestreet

valderon wrote: »

My parents recently bought a new fridge freezer from argos, which like their 2 previous models they wanted to be placed in our houses adjoining garage. this fridge freezer has not been working properly since they purchased it and since having an engineer to come out and look at it they have found out that it is not suitable to be placed in the garage, as due to the low temperatures in the winter it will not work properly

they have had this item less than 30 days and have contacted argos to see if they can get a refund or the product replaced but they have received a flat no on both cases and are atm stuck with this applaice that is not suitable for the job they bought it for

i was just wondering if anyone could let us know what our actual rights are in this situation and if there is anything we can do

any help much appreciated

Did Argos advise that the FF was suitable for use in an un-heated garage? Does the manual for the FF state that the FF is suitable for use in an un-heated garage? If the answer is NO in both cases, then you have no right to a refund under SOGA.

jamesmorgan

The vast majority of fridge/freezers will have a lowest operating temperature of 10C. If you put them in a room colder than this you may invalidate the warranty. If you want to put them in an unheated garage, you need to buy a specialist one.

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/kitchen/guides/best-freezers-for-your-garage/

pinkshoes

They only have rights if they specifically asked or the instructions don't state a temperature range. Otherwise it was up to them to do some research before buying...

Our fridge is the same, and in a garage, you just leave the fridge door open at temperatures at less than 10C.

Does the freezer not work either?

maninthestreet

pinkshoes wrote: »

They only have rights if they specifically asked or the instructions don't state a temperature range. Otherwise it was up to them to do some research before buying...

Our fridge is the same, and in a garage, you just leave the fridge door open at temperatures at less than 10C.

Does the freezer not work either?

Fridge/freezers often have single thermostat, which is why they are not recommended for use in unheated buildings....

valderon

thanks for the advice all after speaking to my parents a little more seems they hadn't really looked into it as all previous fridge freezers had worked fine and on close inspection it does say not to be used in extreme temperatures

so this looks like the fault lies at their feet and they'll have to make the best of it

thanks once again for the quick responses tho

caffeine_demon

having a quick look at the argis site, I see all freezers have an "ambient temperature" under the specifications

nost of the value range say "16 to 38 degrees c and not suitable for use in a garage", but one or two just list

General information:

• Ambient temperature 16 to 38°C.
• Size H84, W53, D56cm.
• EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 4869319
• .

I think "ambient temperature" is a bad choice of wording - I certainly wouldn't know that that meant the outside temperature had to be that, even though I know the meaning of ambient.

Also - "not suitable for garages" is quite an important consideration, so maybe should be listed more prominently?.

wealdroam

caffeine_demon wrote: »

General information:

• Ambient temperature 16 to 38°C.

I think "ambient temperature" is a bad choice of wording - I certainly wouldn't know that that meant the outside temperature had to be that, even though I know the meaning of ambient.

What do you think ambient means then?

The first online dictionary I looked at defines Ambient as an adjective "of or relating to the immediate surroundings", and gives an example of "the ambient temperature was 15°C".

In other words, in the extract you quote, the temperature of the room where the appliance is sited should be between 16 to 38°C.
Clearly in recent months the temperature in most garages will have been outside that range.

caffeine_demon wrote: »

Also - "not suitable for garages" is quite an important consideration, so maybe should be listed more prominently?.

I agree.

shaun_from_Africa

One problem with manufacturers stating something like "not suitable for garages" is that whilst most garages do get pretty cold in winter, some are heated and some that aren't heated directly may still be insulated well enough to meet the minimum temperature requirements for the appliance.

Also, I know of one person (so I'm sure that there are plenty more) who have a chest freezer in a shed as they don't have a garage, and I myself had to move a freezer into a conservatory (where the temp in the summer can easily exceed 35c if the windows are closed) when I was having my kitchen refitted, so apart from the garage disclaimer, the manufacturer would also have to state sheds, conservatories and possibly other locations.

Because of all the possible variations in temperature that could occur with different locations, giving the suitable ambient temperature for the correct operation of the freezer seems the best way to avoid problems provided that consumers make sure that they know what they are buying and what they require.

thefishdude

most beko fridge frrezers operat down to 5c as standard unlike other brands but still not as low as required really for a unheated garage.

miss_scrooge

thefishdude wrote: »

most beko fridge frrezers operat down to 5c as standard unlike other brands but still not as low as required really for a unheated garage.

But some beko fridge freezers had to get recalled dangerous only some models.