Currys pay up front for item not available for several weeks

Nocturnes

Have tried to search the forum here for Currys and am a bit concerned about what did come up!

Today I ordered a high cost appliance from Currys online. During the ordering process I saw that delivery would be a month or more. So when I got to the payment part it said "authorise payment" I stupidly assumed it was just that, to authorise it with the CC and that full payment would be taken when I receive the item. I called them up and was told it is normal to take full payment in advance. It may be 2 months before it can be delivered (I am waiting for manufacturer to contact me) and meanwhile Currys have my money and the manufacturer has my appliance.

What are my rights, if say the manufacturer or Currys went out of business? Trusting they won't, but I feel that paying up front like this is not right (I know, too late now I've done it). Also, if I have to delay delivery due to travel, does this affect my rights at all? Thanks for any replies.

transient

It is a high price item as you say and no doubt paid by card, so would safely assume you would be covered under chargeback.

What type of card and how much for a definitive answer

molerat

They can take the money whenever their T&Cs, which you have agreed to, says they can. The manufacturer going bust is irrelevant as it is Currys you have paid the money to, you may not get what you have paid for but they will refund. If Currys go bust then you claim a charge back from your card for non delivery of goods. Delivery will be by agreement between you and Currys.

InsideInsurance

Nocturnes wrote: »

What are my rights, if say the manufacturer or Currys went out of business? Trusting they won't, but I feel that paying up front like this is not right (I know, too late now I've done it). Also, if I have to delay delivery due to travel, does this affect my rights at all? Thanks for any replies.

You paid by credit card so if they went out of business you can try a chargeback or make a S75 claim against your card issuer.


There is nothing to stop a merchant taking the funds immediately even if the item isnt ready for dispatch and many organisations do this. If you look at vSMEs, which obviously Currys isnt, then they may not have the cashflow to allow them to buy an expensive item from their supplier before receiving the cash from you. Even if they do, they may not want to be stuck with a large expensive item if they order it in go to charge you and find that you dont have the funds to pay for it - being a business they arent covered by the DSR and cannot automatically return it to their suppliers for free.

Nocturnes

Thanks everyone. I am sure it will be fine, I just had not come across this situation before. Just can't wait for my new purchase, it's hard parting with the money and having nothing to show for it!

deanos

bear in mind your warranty will start when you paid for the good not delivery so you will miss out on 2 months warranty

Nocturnes

deanos wrote: »

bear in mind your warranty will start when you paid for the good not delivery so you will miss out on 2 months warranty

I just called them about the warranty issue and the guy was very evasive. It sounds like you are right! He did say that "the delivery date" would be taken into consideration on a one year warranty instead of from the receipt date, which is covered by Currys, should there be a problem after expiry. However on a 2 year warranty he said it would be up to the manufacturer whether they accepted the delivery date as commencement of warranty! I guess there is some small print I should have read. Unbelievable that this it is allowed for a warranty to start before the item has even been assembled (according to Currys that is the reason I have to wait).

frugal_mike

You can cancel the order under Distance Selling Regulations if the delay in delivery or uncertainty over the warranty concern you.