Sports World wont offer refund, goods not fit for purpose!

GreedIsGood

Hi all,

On Saturday, I bought some trainers from Sports World in Cheltenham. I got them home, opened the box and noticed a label on the shoes, (a manufacturer's label) which said 'for indoor use only'. I can confirm that the shoes were not labelled on the shelf in any way as indoor. They were in fact a brown leather fashion trainer.

I returned the shoes to the shop the next day but after a lengthy discussion with the manager, the most I could get was a credit note. The problem is that currently, there are no other trainers that I wish to purchase from Sports World. Apparently, Sports World offer NO REFUNDS at all, company policy.

As far as I can see, the shoes were not 'fit for purpose' (sale of goods act, 1979), as I bought them to wear outside. I could understand if they were labelled on the shelf as a court shoe, or bowling shoe or something, but they were not.

The manager gave me a number for head office, along with a complaint form. The number so far is not being answered. Now I see that the company lost 25% of its value recently due to 'poor trading conditions'. I am not sure what to do and I am thinking maybe I should just buy something that I know I can sell on eBay such as a squash racket. A damage limitation exercise if you like.
Its only £41.99 that we are talking about but I'd rather not lose it.
I know if I wait long enough, something will probably turn up in the store which I want, but not if they go bust!
Any advice gratefully appreciated. :mad:

GreedIsGood

By the way folks, I paid for the shoes with my master card (egg money). Not sure if they can help, but I haven't contacted them yet. The guide on this site states that the guaruntees are generally for goods that cost over £100.
Thanks.

BANNEDfromTV

To be honest i'd say it's your word against theirs about whether the shoes were labelled as indoor only use or not while you were in store.
They have signs at their tills (usually) that state no refunds for goods that are not faulty.

My suggestion (which isn't technically above board) would be to see if some stitching has "come loose" and take them back as faulty and get a refund.
I doubt that your credit card company will refund you as Sports World have offered/given you a credit note.

If you have returned them and got a credit note already, buy another pair of trainers (any) and see if they have "some loose stitching"
Problem solved.

GreedIsGood

BannedFromTV:
What a good idea. I like that. I presume that their policy is to refund if the items are faulty then? I guess the law says so on that one.
Only thing is, on the receipt for the new 'faulty' trainers, it will say paid with a credit note. So, they will probably just refund, with a credit note.
AAAHHHGGGHHH!
One things for sure, I'll be checking company policy on everything that I may need to return (such as clothes).
Thanks.

Chall

Well firstly, they definately won't go bust, the company lost 25% of its value since Mike Ashley (formerly sole owner of the company) sold a few shares in the company, possible to help fund his buying of a share of jjb, nike, newcastle fc or various other ventures, for this reason I think it's highly unlikely the company will go bust. As for the guy with the stitching that has "come loose", you're thinking, while interesting, is completely screwed up and shouldn't be tried....a better alternative would be to get the credit note then, while still in store, ask someone if they would be willing to use it and give you the money since the company aren't willing to offer the refund you wish for, I've seen this happen a few times so know it can be successful, and doesn't involve the needless damage and fraud suggested by the previous poster

Idiophreak

back in the day, when I worked retail, I saw a number of people escorted from the store for what Chall's suggesting...So I guess it's up to you, take the credit note...Write to head office (stating SOG etc) and try and get a refund..be ethically wonky and damage the shoes...or try and pass on the store credit and risk being chucked out...

GreedIsGood

I had thought about asking another potential customer to swap the voucher, but most people pay by card now, plus, they'd probably want a fiver for themselves anyway. Shame none of my friends or family weren't looking to buy something from there.

I think the policy is pants, it would be OK if they had some shoes that I want, but the don't.

As for the fraud option, I have to state that I don't give two hoots about Sports World themselves, so if they lost out, they should look to put better customer service in place. BUT, the shoes would go back to the manufacturer, who would ultimately bin them and they would take the hit, not SW. My green ethical sense comes into play here and I wouldn't be happy about either the shoes going to landfill or the extra transport journeys involved (I know the impact is very small in the grand scheme of things but every little helps).

So, what I'll probably do is re-visit my local store (I was visiting relatives in Cheltenham), to double check there is nothing I need. If there is nothing suitable, I'll write to head office and take it from there. If they do not respond then the last ditch effort will be the buy something and eBay it route. Would rather not do that though due to sellers costs / hassle. To be honest I might just buy a squash racket, as they always break every 6-12 months anyway (I play in leagues).
Once this matter is over, out of principle, I won't use SW again. :mad:

hollydays

Labelling them as indoor use only is for your protection.If you could see they were a fashion shoe,you may realise you arent going to get a lot of heavy wear out of them,but as you could see they are a fashion shoe you knew this anyway.Keep them ,wear them outside,just dont expect too much from them. They would have to refund to comply with the sale of Goods Act,but they dont have to refund if you change your mind.You could try to appeal to the Manager.

Idiophreak

I very much meant to say as hollydays did, but forgot! The most obvious solution is just not to worry about the fact they're stated as "indoors only" and just wear them as you intended.

C_Ronaldo

Thats a downside to shopping at sportsworld re the credit notes,

GreedIsGood

Thanks everyone.
Well, a development. I managed to speak to a really helpful chap last night at SW customer services. I explained the situation to him and he said he understood and that he would do a refund as a good will gesture.
He asked me to send in the credit note, via recorded delivery with a covering letter, and he would raise a cheque. He's given me his details and I have taken photocopies of the credit note itself.
So, all being well, I'll get the matter resolved soon.
If a happy solution is reached, then SW can still have my future custom, me now being wiser to strange company policies. I'll also be checking for labels prior to purchase in future!
BTW, it would appear that the shoes are meant for martial arts apparently. To look at, they are a brown leather trendy shoe, so I can't fathom that out. Would explain the indoor use bit.
Thanks again!