Gaurentee return costs.

Mgman

Bought a battery online for my car with a 3yr Gaurentee (not a cheapie, a well known branded one).

The battery has now failed 2.5 years into its warranty. I rang the company who supplied it who said not a problem courier it back to us for testing and as it's on a depreciating warranty you'll get a proportion of the purchase price back.

When I asked how long for them to send me a pre-paid returns label (this is a large heavy car battery) I was told that won't happen as return costs are customers responsibility !!!!!!

Is this right (for faulty goods) as the return courier costs will likely be more than I get back plus the inconvenience of packing it and waiting for a courier to collect.

Don't seem right to me if I do have to pay.

bris

Warranties are over and above your statutory rights so they can place terms on them, return delivery charges are common on them so yes they can do that.

Do not confuse a warranty with your statutory rights (SOGA) if you want to go down this route they would be responsible for the postage costs if found to be an inherent fault. But as its over six months since purchase you need an engineers report to confirm this.

have a read http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchange the relevant part for you is the six month rule.

shaun_from_Africa

As a warranty/guarantee is something that the retailer or manufacturer is not legally obliged to provide, then they are allowed to state terms and conditions such as who pays return postage, the need to register the warrenty etc.

One problem that you might have is actually finding a courier willing to accept the battery as it is classed as dangerous goods.

System

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As a warrenty/guarantee is something that the retailer or manufacturer is legally obliged t provide, then they are allowed to state terms and conditions such as who pays return postage, the need to register the warrenty etc.

One problem that you might have is actually finding a courier willing to accept the battery as it is classed as dangerous goods.

I think you mean 'not legally obliged'

vuvuzela

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

One problem that you might have is actually finding a courier willing to accept the battery as it is classed as dangerous goods.

I was just going to post this bit. You may well struggle and if you find one then the charges will likely be quite high.

shaun_from_Africa

!!!!!! wrote: »

I think you mean 'not legally obliged'

Well spotted!

mjm3346

Mgman wrote: »

3yr Gaurentee

The battery has now failed 2.5 years into its warranty. as it's on a depreciating warranty you'll get a proportion of the purchase price back.

Did they say what you would get back? That far into a depreciating warranty it could be less than 20% of what you paid, very unlikely to be worth the effort of returning it

paddyrg

There are two sets of options here - Sale of Goods Act which is with whoever SOLD you the battery - if it didn't last a 'reasonable time' for the price you paid, you may have a case against them for a partial refund also. If that means delivering it to the shop, hopefully that's closer.

The 3 year warranty from the manufacturer is in addition to you rights against the retailer, and may contain whatever clauses they like, including that you pay for postage.

shaun_from_Africa

paddyrg wrote: »

. If that means delivering it to the shop, hopefully that's closer.

The battery was bought online so that won't be an option.

Hintza

This is a depreciating warranty so lets say the batter cost £60 then you might only get £10 back if it is deemed faulty. Cut your losses and just buy a new one from a local motor factor.

Mgman

Thanks for the replies, seems it's not worth returning it then.

Seems to be that unless your buying from a local shop/supplier anything large/heavy with more than a 12month Guarantee isn't worth the invoice it's written on and the suppliers probably knows this, so being temped/paying extra for goods with 3/4/5yr warranty's is a bit of false economy/con.

I'm a bit miffed as although it's only six months left on its guarantee it's the principal, and being a top brand (beginning with I was expecting at least 4 to 5 years out of it anyway as the OEM Yuasa one lasted 8yrs.

This time I've bought online again but just a cheapie that although got 2yrs warranty, for the price, anything over a year I'll be happy with and think of as a bonus.

Rang local car shops and factors and cheapest I could get local was £25 more than online delivered, and local were not known branded ones either.