argos - do they have to refund when you return item ?

sscrabble

I bought a computer from Argos a couple of days ago - not happy with it as it has frozen several times and crashed twice.

If I take it back can I insist on a refund there and then , or are they entitled to send it back to the manufacturers to check out the fault ? - or can they insist I take a credit note or a replacement computer ? I know they refund if the item has not been used , but what happens when it is faulty ?

( I have actually seen a better deal elsewhere today so would rather just have the refund )

oopsadaisydoddle

sscrabble wrote: »

I bought a computer from Argos a couple of days ago - not happy with it as it has frozen several times and crashed twice.

If I take it back can I insist on a refund there and then , or are they entitled to send it back to the manufacturers to check out the fault ? - or can they insist I take a credit note or a replacement computer ? I know they refund if the item has not been used , but what happens when it is faulty ?

( I have actually seen a better deal elsewhere today so would rather just have the refund )

I think that if it is faulty, you can reject it under SOGA as it has been such a short period of time since buying it. In this case I would imagine you will be entitled to request a refund. I imagine you might have to demonstrate the fault of course.

Under normal circumstances, if it wasn't faulty, they don't have to let you return it if it was bought from a store.

If it was bought online then you have 7 working days, starting the day after receipt to return the purchase for any reason.

System

What you could do is check online before you go to the store to see how many they have in stock. The number will be low I imagine for an item like a pc. Say 3. Set up 3 fake yahoo email addresses and reserve them for store collection under fake names. Costs nothing but makes them unavailable to be sold for 24 hours.

Then when you take it back they won't have any available so will probably refund. It's unlikely they will repair so quickly after receipt.

It's devious but would probably work!

OlliesDad

You do have the right to reject it and get a refund but they do have the right to have it checked to ensure it is faulty and not something like user error/3rd party software issue prior to issuing the refund.

sscrabble

yes - I bought it from a shop - but how could they check the fault - they would have to connect it to the internet - and then it miight run for many hours before it plays up again !!

This is what I am worried about - will they want to send it away for testing and leave me without computer or money for weeks? Surely they will just have to take my word for it and refund - I have only had it two days !

OlliesDad

sscrabble wrote: »

This is what I am worried about - will they want to send it away for testing and leave me without computer or money for weeks? Surely they will just have to take my word for it and refund - I have only had it two days !

They have the option, but it is unlikely they will..

oopsadaisydoddle

In my experience Argos are pretty good...i managed to get them to refund me for a tent I'd bought a year earlier that ended up soaking! They didn't have to, I know, but they were great!

If you're stating there's a fault then I don't think it would be unreasonable for them to request to test it.

unholyangel

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

I think that if it is faulty, you can reject it under SOGA as it has been such a short period of time since buying it. In this case I would imagine you will be entitled to request a refund. I imagine you might have to demonstrate the fault of course.

Under normal circumstances, if it wasn't faulty, they don't have to let you return it if it was bought from a store.

If it was bought online then you have 7 working days, starting the day after receipt to return the purchase for any reason.

Just to add onto this part of the above informative post....

You have at least 7 working days (starting day after delivery) to return for any reason (can be up to 3 months and 7 working days if they fail to notify you of your right to cancel in a durable format - websites or links contained in emails are not considered durable). However if you bought online, the above about rejecting outright (under SoGA non-acceptance) also applies. There is no set time under SoGA. Merely what the average person would consider a "reasonable time" taking into account the specifics of the purchase (for instance buying winter sports equipment in summer....reasonable time may be extended up until winter).

IMO, you're well within a reasonable time to reject outright if the item does not conform to contract.

In my personal experience (I know not everyone has had the same), I've always found Argos to be really good. So dont start worrying about what they might do unless they've told you that that is the approach they are taking.

sscrabble

Is it really that cut and dried ? They HAVE to refund even if there is nothing wrong with the item ? I thought that was only if it was unopened?

wealdroam

sscrabble wrote: »

Is it really that cut and dried ? They HAVE to refund even if there is nothing wrong with the item ? I thought that was only if it was unopened?

No it really isn't that cut and dried.

If you bought in store, and there is nothing wrong with the thing, then you are totally reliant on Argos's returns policy, which I seem to recall states the goods must be unused, and maybe even unopened, depending on the product.

However, if the goods are faulty, as mentioned above you can reject the goods for a refund. That is a statutory right under the sale of goods act.

Only if you bought at a distance (online, mailorder, phone, etc) do you have a statutory right to return goods just because you have changed your mind.

[Deleted User]

goater78 wrote: »

What you could do is check online before you go to the store to see how many they have in stock. The number will be low I imagine for an item like a pc. Say 3. Set up 3 fake yahoo email addresses and reserve them for store collection under fake names. Costs nothing but makes them unavailable to be sold for 24 hours.

Then when you take it back they won't have any available so will probably refund. It's unlikely they will repair so quickly after receipt.

It's devious but would probably work!

Sorry, but I think this is a ludicrous and unnecessary misuse of Argos reserve and collect service.
Argos can simply get a replacement from another store and having none currently in stock does not in any way make it more likely that they'll refund in full.
The customer rights under the Sale Of Goods Act are all that is relevant here. If the OP can show that the item is faulty, he can demand a full refund.