Currys on the con again

davbel

Hi all

First post so hope I do it right!

Currys have a major ad campaign underway selling the fact that if you buy something from them that they have to deliver, they will also remove and recycle your existing appliance free of charge. They have even started using this as a selling point in some of the stores.

Do not be taken in by this or let them use it as a leverage point e.g " Yeah, XYZ retailer are cheaper, but we do this..." - They have no choice! As of the 1st July, the new WEEE legislation came into force which means that they have to remove and recycle at their expense any electrical or electronic equipment you buy from them them that replaces an existing bit of kit.

So basically, don't let them con you into thinking you're getting something out of the ordinary when in fact they are doing what they legally have to :money:

Raver2k7

Ah, but they're now doing free delivery too!

ManAtHome

Thought it was the retailer who sold you the "old" unit who was responsible, not whoever sells you the new kit (until it becomes old kit)..?

ben500

Raver2k7 wrote: »

Ah, but they're now doing free delivery too!

Yes but they are not marketing free delivery, they are marketing free delivery and free recycling, as the op points out this is misleading in that they will be obligated to do so. Unless of course they alter the marketing campaign once legislation klicks in which they haven't done so far.

manda1205

Could someone please explain this new legislation? (a link would be good) My mum and dad just bought a new fridge freezer from bennetts (who I told them were the dearest, but my dad wouldnt have it) they delivered at a £19.99 charge but didnt take their old one, should they have done? (they prob bought the old one from them anyway) TIA

barjam_2

listen to the ad carefully aswell:mad: i think it says something like it will install and remove etc... aslong as the item bought is a grade 'A' energy :rolleyes: what they like eh!!

parkside_stroller

Here are some links to anyone needing to know more about WEEE.

I'm not up to speed on this yet so I'm not able to explain these regulations in a comprehensive manner but hopefully if you follow the links you'll understand what is going on.

DTI press release on recycling electrical goods -
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=249686&NewsAreaID=2

DTI advice leaflet to electrical distributors -
http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file39262.pdf

Frequently asked questions
http://www.vca.gov.uk/enforcement/frequently-asked-questions-weee.asp

Advice issued to retailers (this is in a fairly readily understood format that is also quite helpful to consumers trying to get their heads around it)-
http://www.weeenetwork.com/retailers/index.php

The full thing - The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file35992.pdf
Part 5 deals with the distributor's obligations and rights when collecting good from private households.
So in an nutshell -
The new rules are about reducing waste by encouraging manufacturers to design goods so that more can be recycled.

The government has set up a scheme which distributers can join so that waste will be collected on their behalf.

Retailers can also set up their own scheme if they wish but are not obliged to do so.

If they don't set up their own scheme they have to make a payment for old goods to be collected on their behalf.

Collection is on a like for like basis i.e. if they sell you a toaster they can take back your old toaster (even if you didn't buy it from them) but won't take your old TV in exchange.

Mail order firms have to join the scheme (I'm thinking this might also apply to people who sell on ebay).

The regulations cover new goods (including open boxes which are consumer returns for example) but don't cover used goods i.e. if you buy a second hand TV you will not be expecting the company who sold it to take away your old TV.

There are numerous mentions in the literature about local service - in practice you will probably find that you have a local collection service.

I called my local council to have a washing machine removed recently - they didn't charge for uplift but they did require it to be kerbside. They also seem to have ditched the 0870 phone number they were using to arrange collections - I'm wondering if this is because they are not allowed to make some kind of charge for the service to householders.

thediscountman

My mate has just ordered a new washing machine from currys and was told he has to take his old one to the store for them to get rid of it. Is this the case or should they come to collect it ?

thanks

davbel

parkside_stroller got it more or less spot on.

Weee in a nutshell means that whoever you buy your new electrical item from has to provide a way for your old item that the new one replaces to be recycled and they cannot charge for it (or do some other stuff either which probably didn't need to be in the legislation...). It works on a "like for like" or "replacement" basis:

e.g.
Like for Like:
You buy a new washing machine, they have to sort the old washing machine

Same Purpose:
You buy a DVD recorder to replace your VCR, they have to sort the VCR

Retailers/Etailers have two options:

1) Allow you to bring the old item to the store or if they deliver the item arrange collection of the old item at no expense to you. They then ship it to another company who recycle your "X" and either sell it to a 3rd world country or supposedly strip it back to it's components. Some will charge to recycle, but some will pay a commission to the larger companies such as DSG who will be providing massive amounts of items to process.

2) As a retailer/etailer you pay your membership and join a govt authorized scheme. What this then means is that these retailers don't have to take items back from their customers, because the money they pay into the scheme gets re-invested in local council recycling schemes. This then means we have to take the VCR/Microwave/fridge/washing machine etc to the tip ourselves or in some areas they'll collect... Then your council sell the items to the same company as DSG who do the same as they would with DSG's items but any money finds its way back to your area.

Now that fact that we will be recycling more and more is actually a good thing and we should all try and do more, but what is winding me up is that Currys or DSG as a whole are taking the P a bit and instead of being honest and saying
"Ohhh, the new Weee legislation came into being on July 1 and we will make some money from it so we're going to pass those savings onto you...etc"

they say
"Ohhh we're going to pull the wool and make it seem like we're doing you a favour"

It makes me go "GRRRRR" :-)


It's not as though they are having to have a staff collection to pay the leccy bill or anything :-)

deanos

Well at least its free at currys comet are charging 7.95

http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/content.do?breadcrumb=no&categoryId=13&includeUrl=/comet/ev2/content/services/html/recycling.htm&pageName=Services_recycling&knowledge=no
"
From July 1st 2007 if you buy a large product* from the Comet website or the customer information centre you will be able select a scrap product collection service. At the time of delivery of your new product our Comet Home Delivery team will take back your old product and we will recycle it for you This service is provided on a like for like basis, for a fee of £7.50 and will be offered when you proceed through the website check out process or by the Comet agent when you buy over the phone."

Details on currys here http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/editorial/weee

A_little_stressed!!

So how long before there is a sudden price rise in electricals so they can cover the costs of removing your old item!