Oven - doesn't seem to heat up properly (updated)

Jonesy_McJones

Update - the engineer didn't turn up as agreed today so my other half has wasted a day of annual leave...

Jonesy_McJones

Update - someone came today, they replaced a sensor in it and then said they couldn't stay while I tested it as they're only allocated 15 minutes for each visit... So after testing it and finding that there's no change, I rang the service people (who sent the engineer as per the warranty) who've said it might need a new circuit board which they can order in to arrive in 2-3 working days, and then arrange for someone to come back to fit it.

I'm really fed up now. If we do this, then one of us will have to take another day off work (so 3 days off for it to be fixed) - do I have any rights to ask for a refund from the retailer, or do I have to allow them to try to fix it? Is there any redress for any of the 3 days off?

wealdroam

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

I'm really fed up now. If we do this, then one of us will have to take another day off work (so 3 days off for it to be fixed) - do I have any rights to ask for a refund from the retailer, or do I have to allow them to try to fix it? Is there any redress for any of the 3 days off?

Yes, you have the right to ask the retailer for a refund.
Whether you will get one or not is a different matter.

As it was two months before you reported any problem, it can probably be deemed that you are now too late to reject the goods.

At this point the seller has to offer a remedy of either a repair, replacement or refund.
You can choose, but you cannot force the seller to provide a remedy which is disproportionate.

Whichever remedy is decided upon, the seller must provide it without causing significant inconvenience.
Although the law doesn't define it, I would think that being without a fully working cooker for several weeks might well be considered a significant inconvenience. On the other hand, you did manage with this situation for a couple of months before reporting it.

As far as missed appointments go, you might like to look at MSE's Failed Delivery article for ideas about how to pursue any claim.

mattyprice4004

Oh God, what a nightmare! And here was me hoping for a simple solution...

Jonesy_McJones

Can anyone advise whether the SOGA applies to items bought from eBay (auction from business seller) please?

Caitlin_Bree

If everything is working as it's supposed to other than it not being hot enough, it may be that your oven needs calibrating. Have a look at some of this to see if any of it applies https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=oven+calibration+dial&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&gws_rd=cr&ei=2gl5UuzqFcjb7Aa_noDADg

Also, for anyone that might need it in future, there are ways of testing your oven's temperature without a thermometer:

Pour a spoonful of sugar into an oven-safe glass bowl or onto some foil on a cookie sheet and place in your oven, set to 350°F / 177°C. Even after an hour, it should still be powdered. It might turn slightly brown due to decomposition, but it shouldn't melt. If it does, your oven is too hot. Next, turn your oven up to 375°F / 190°C. The sugar should completely melt within 15 minutes or so. If it doesn't, your oven is calibrated too cold. Check to see if your oven has either an adjustment knob or a calibration offset setting; otherwise, just keep in mind the offset when setting the temperature. Note that your oven will cycle a bit above and below the target temperature: the oven will overshoot its target temperature, then turn off, cool down, turn back on, etc. It's possible that your oven could be "correctly" calibrated but still melt the sugar when set to 350°F / 177°C due to this overshooting, but it would have to overshoot by about 15°F / 8°C.

(sourced from Lifehacker)

peachyprice

Caitlin_Bree wrote: »

otherwise, just keep in mind the offset when setting the temperature.

That's all well and good if you're only 10-20c out, but OP's oven is 70c out, which means she'll never be able to cook above 180c as the highest temp you can set is 250c.

Jonesy_McJones

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

Can anyone advise whether the SOGA applies to items bought from eBay (auction from business seller) please?

I've just spent half an hour on the phone to eBay, and am still none the wiser... Anyone?

wealdroam

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

I've just spent half an hour on the phone to eBay, and am still none the wiser... Anyone?

There is information in MSE's Consumer Rights article which may help you on that.

In particular, this paragraph:

Buy from a trader who makes some or all of their living selling on eBay and you've the full Sad Fart rights. However, buy from an occasional private seller and as long as the goods are "as described", the only rule is "let the buyer beware".

There is more in that doc... follow the pointers.

Jonesy_McJones

So I called a consumer advice line (can't remember if it was CAB but I found the number on Trading Standards website) and they were really helpful. The SOGA doesn't apply as such because it was an auction but items do have to be "as described".

The person I spoke to took the eBay listing number, read the listing description, commented on the phrases such as "fully inspected, cleaned & valeted in our approved test centre" and then asked me if I wanted them to report the seller to Trading Standards - I can't remember the exact words he used but one of them was "criminal" - as in giving the impression that the oven was known to be working properly.

Last week, I opened a dispute case in eBay and the only responses I've had from the seller is basically "sort it out yourself with the warranty" although they have also claimed that they have tried to help me as much as they can.

One thing I do know is that I will never buy anything in an eBay auction from a business seller again.