Warranty Not Honoured

Motorcycle_Dude

In March 2012, I purchased a motorcycle jacket from my local Hein Gericke. It is a top of the range item costing over £500.
It also came with a 2 year warranty.

By July 2013, I noticed the stitching of the hem tape over the storm cuffs was becoming undone and the hem tape was coming away from the material. One side was quite bad (approx 3" of stitching undone) with the other side not so bad (about 1" of stitching undone).

I returned the jacket to the shop and asked about a replacement as I wasn't happy that a top end jacket would have stitching fail after a little over a year. I was advised that replacement wasn't an option, as the jacket was over 6 months old and it would be sent away for repair.

I was without my jacket for 2 months and ended up having to buy another to continue to ride my bike. Finally the jacket was returned un-repaired. I was advised it was considered "wear and tear" and wouldn't be fixed. I politely pointed out there were no signs of abrasion, scuffing or any other wear. It was simply a case of failed stitching.

The jacket was sent away again for repair. Another 2 months pass and the jacket is finally returned. Still un-repaired. This time I was advised that the 2 year warranty did not apply to the cuffs. I asked if they could show me this in their warranty conditions, but they declined.

I have had to take the jacket back, as it is winter and the replacement jacket is a lightweight summer one. I am disappointed that a high end item could fail and the company wont honour their touted 2 year warranty.

I have had enough and no longer want a repair, but a replacement, or refund. Please can someone advise me of my rights and how to proceed.

EDIT: Seems i am not allowed to post links to jacket, warranty and photos showing failure.

unholyangel

Legally your rights are with the retailer you purchased it from.

After 6 months from purchase, you may be required to prove the fault is inherent and not the result of misuse or natural wear & tear. Once you've done that, you can request a replacement or a refund but the retailer can refuse if it is disproportionately costly compared to a repair. Plus any refund can be reduced to take into account use you have had of the item.

However a repair should be carried out within a reasonable time and without causing significant inconvenience. After all, 4 weeks without a tv isn't going to be significant but 4 weeks without a fridge/freezer likely would.

societys_child

This doesn't help in relation to your rights but if I wanted to use the jacket I'd pop into my local cobbler/ shoe repairer and see what he could do.