Returning item to Argos

don9999

I bough a Vax Steamer from Argos in March 2014 - ie. about 10 months ago. It will no longer work/create steam.

I believe that under SOGA I am able to return it to the shop, but because it is over 6 months old, the onus is on 'me' to prove the fault was inherent since purchase.

Questions:

* I understand that Argos will typically exchange such faulty items, rather than argue the case. But...if they do, how do I prove that the fault was inherent since purchase? An engineering report will presumably work out too expensive in relation to an £80 household item?

* I understand that the retailer would have the option of repair, replacement or refund. I would prefer replacement (I need the item), or even repair. However, it seems that this Vax steamer has now more than doubled in price, with it selling for £150 now! So presumably Argos would just offer a refund, and I have to accept?

* There is a 2 year guarantee offered by Vax, but presumably I need to go to Vax to make use of this. Presumably this should be my 'second' option if Argos refuse to exchange it? Or perhaps I follow this line of action if Argos will only offer a refund? (I would prefer a repair than a refund, since to re-buy the item would cost me £150).

bris

Argos are actually one of the better retailers when it comes to exchanges, in my experience anyway.


However like all retailers they do have the SOGA to follow so whilst you may ask for a repair or replacement you can't actually insist on it.


They are allowed to choose the remedy that best suits them, this could be a refund. You could just cut Argos and see what VAX say first, if it's still a current model there is no reason to believe it won't be replaced, if it's now out dated that could be a different matter.

don9999

Thanks Bris. The model is (taken from the original reservation email:)

Vax S7-A+ Total Home Master+ Handheld Steam Mop. 122/4603

This looks like it is still being sold by Argos:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1224603.htm

I can't see any differences - it has the same model number, and the same Argos reference. But I suppose there 'could' be some upgrade to the one I bought (though I assume there would be a minor change in name or reference number).

I don't really understand the change in price though. I paid £79.99 and is now being sold for £149.99 !

mum2one

Argos are one of the best retailers, generally they just exchange, we had a tassimo that went wrong about 6mths in, we paid £59.99, it had gone up to £119.99 no probe they just credited the difference on the receipt.

X

LilElvis

The same model (S7) is only £45 on Amazon if Argos just want to give a partial refund to take account of use.

don9999

Hey LilElvis :-)

The Amazon steam mop for £45 is a different model.
Vax have a confusing model names. The Argos one you were looking at is the 'S7 2-in-1'. The one I have is the 'S7-A+ 7-in-1 Total Home Master Steam Cleaner'
A few characters different in the name, but a completely different model.

Vax also have S7-AV, S6S, S86-SF-CC etc, etc....

sheramber

Have you treid trouble shooting

http://support.vax.co.uk/

Zandoni

You don't need to worry about SOGA, Argos give a one year guarantee and they will sort it out for you.

George_Michael

Before going to Argos, it might be worth contacting Vax directly to ask what they will do if you return it under their warranty.

If Argos do decide to refund you the original £80 that you paid instead of a repair or exchange, you could then tell them that you would prefer to send it to Vax instead (provided that they previously told you that they would repair or exchange).

20k

Hi
As above people have mentoned, Argos are very good at refunding/exchanging items, so don't feel stressed. The first item I ever returned was a recordable DVD player that I'd never actually used to record anything. I tried it one day to record after a year of owning it, and it ddn't work. Took it back and they gave me a full refund as they no longer stocked the model. I then purchased the newer version at a slightly cheaper price (about £20 saving) (also at Argos as it was the best price).
I would go to Argos first and see what they say. Are you happy to exchange it for another brand? I bought a Vax vacuum cleaner from "every little helps" and the damn thing fell apart. I don't think Vax are as good as they used to be.
Don't be hard on the sales staff Worse case, you have your guarantee to fall back on

don9999

Just thought it was worth giving an update 'after the event' so to speak.

As was suggested on here, the return process was completely painless. (I've returned many things to Argos before, but never this long after the purchase - 8 months - and without the receipt too).

Anyway, I went with a copy of my credit card statement showing where I had paid Argos £79.99 in March 2014. I also luckily, still had an email where I had reserved the Steam Cleaner on line at the Argos site - so it all tied in nicely.

They simply replaced it with a new one. Even though the identical new one is currently retailing in Argos for £149.99!

Excellent service!