Mower Part Failed to Last

Beamish1

In April this year I bought a track rod end for a Ransomes ride-on mower. The part was fitted and it lasted only until this week, when it snapped off.
I informed the seller, a company specialising in such parts, and have asked them for a replacement free of charge. They have referred it on to Ransomes, their manufacturer/supplier to see if they will replace the item.
I am getting the impression that the firm that sold me the item is going to try and wriggle out of their responsibility to replace the item.
Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.

Bantex_2

Take them to court.

Ectophile

Bantex wrote: »

Take them to court.

Letter Before Action first.

shaun_from_Africa

Even considering court action or sending a LBA at the moment is really jumping the gun.

The OP stated that the item only failed this week and seeing as it's only Wednesday now, the dealer concerned has only known of the problem for a maximum of 2 and a half days.

I would wait a week or two at least to see if you get any response from Ransomes, and if not, then contact the seller again.

There are a couple of questions that could make a difference as to how you should proceed.

Is the ride on mower used as part of a business or is it just a privately owned one for your garden? and was the part fitted by someone that was experienced/qualified to do the work as there is a possibility that it was fitted incorrectly in the first place.

Aquamania

Beamish1 wrote: »

In April this year I bought a track rod end for a Ransomes ride-on mower. The part was fitted and it lasted only until this week, when it snapped off.
I informed the seller, a company specialising in such parts, and have asked them for a replacement free of charge. They have referred it on to Ransomes, their manufacturer/supplier to see if they will replace the item.
I am getting the impression that the firm that sold me the item is going to try and wriggle out of their responsibility to replace the item.
Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.

What makes you think you should be provided a new one free of charge??? :huh:

Only if the item was proven to be faulty at point of sale should you get a new one free.
This part has presumably worked satisfactorarily all summer for you, so I suspect there was no manufacturing fault.
But I'm sure Ransomes will investigate for you.

If you'd have asked nicely, they may even have offered you a replacement free of charge purely as a goodwill gesture, but if you went in all guns blazing, don't be surprised if they are now very defensive.

Edit: Hmmm... another brand new user posted, and immediately left.
I think I'm getting the measure of this board.

vuvuzela

Aquamania wrote: »

What makes you think you should be provided a new one free of charge??? :huh:

Only if the item was proven to be faulty at point of sale should you get a new one free.
This part has presumably worked satisfactorarily all summer for you, so I suspect there was no manufacturing fault.
But I'm sure Ransomes will investigate for you.

If you'd have asked nicely, they may even have offered you a replacement free of charge purely as a goodwill gesture, but if you went in all guns blazing, don't be surprised if they are now very defensive.

Edit: Hmmm... another brand new user posted, and immediately left.
I think I'm getting the measure of this board.

Less than 6 months use, potentially less than 5. Your 'suspicions' about there being no manufacturing defect are completely ungrounded. You should really read up on consumer legislation before posting.

ThumbRemote

Aquamania wrote: »

Edit: Hmmm... another brand new user posted, and immediately left.
I think I'm getting the measure of this board.

What exactly is the issue here. User registers to post, posts, then closes browser.

They come back later, and may or may not log back in - they certainly don't need to to read the replies.

George_Michael

Aquamania wrote: »

:Only if the item was proven to be faulty at point of sale should you get a new one free.

Even if the component was proven to have a manufacturing defect, the OP still wouldn't have the right to a replacement free of charge.
The retailer would be within their rights to offer a partial refund to allow for the 5 months use that the mower was in use with the item fitted.

LilElvis

Aquamania wrote: »

What makes you think you should be provided a new one free of charge??? :huh:

Only if the item was proven to be faulty at point of sale should you get a new one free.
This part has presumably worked satisfactorarily all summer for you, so I suspect there was no manufacturing fault.
But I'm sure Ransomes will investigate for you.

If you'd have asked nicely, they may even have offered you a replacement free of charge purely as a goodwill gesture, but if you went in all guns blazing, don't be surprised if they are now very defensive.

Edit: Hmmm... another brand new user posted, and immediately left.
I think I'm getting the measure of this board.

He purchased the part in April, it broke in September meaning that it is less than 6 months old. Therefore the onus lies with the seller to prove that the item was not inherently faulty at the time of sale. The fact that it worked for nearly 6 months is not relevant.

As the part has, apparently, snapped then a replacement or refund would appear to be the only options available to the seller as a repair would probably not be possible/safe.

The OPs legal rights lie with the seller, not the manufacturer. What you "suspect" is wholly irrelevant as I doubt you have any knowledge whatsoever of ride on mowers or their maintenance.

I see no mention in the original post that the OP was anything other than polite so I can see no reason for you to assume that the lack of resolution to date is because he "went in all guns blazing".

It is hardly uncommon for new posters to log off and not return for a while, and sometimes not at all. It is possible that he neglected to check the box to request an email should there be responses to the thread. They are also unlikely to return when they receive rude, unhelpful and factually inaccurate replies.

Aquamania

ThumbRemote wrote: »

What exactly is the issue here. User registers to post, posts, then closes browser.

They come back later, and may or may not log back in - they certainly don't need to to read the replies.

This issue is that it's becoming a habit on this board.

Also when a user posters a request for advice (particularly a brand new user), more often than not, follow up questions need to be asked to give appropriate advice as usually not all the necessary facts are initially given.

Aquamania

vuvuzela wrote: »

Less than 6 months use, potentially less than 5. Your 'suspicions' about there being no manufacturing defect are completely ungrounded. You should really read up on consumer legislation before posting.

So if a product fails within 5 months, it's definitely a manufacturing fault? :huh:

I think you need to read up on consumer law.

Then test it out by taking a hammer to a nice new product you bought and see what consumer rights you have.

:cool:

(Noting the people who thank you for your post attempting to rubbish mine too. Very insightful )