Fridge freezer that has never worked - what are my rights?

JennyP

I bought a brand new Russell Hobbs fridge freezer December. My house move was delayed so it was the end of January before I started using it.
The food in the freezer wasn't frozen so I checked the manual and it said to turn the temperature dial in the fridge up which I did. To cut a long story short, either I can have the food in the freezer frozen but then the stuff in the fridge is also frozen. Or I can have the fridge normal but the stuff in the freezer remains unfrozen. In other words, it is not operating as a fridge freezer but as a fridge OR a freezer!
I emailed Russell Hobbs who said to turn it off for 24 hours then on again which I did. This made no difference.
I don't really want the same model again as its other problem is that it's ridiculously noisy. But they have only offered me a straight exchange for the same model or a different one that is too wide for my kitchen. I have asked for a refund but they aren't forthcoming on that one.
I was sure there was something in the law about being sold goods that are not fit for purpose which it clearly isn't. Do I have to accept an exchange or can I insist on a refund?

JohnB47

JennyP wrote: »

I bought a brand new Russell Hobbs fridge freezer December. My house move was delayed so it was the end of January before I started using it.
The food in the freezer wasn't frozen so I checked the manual and it said to turn the temperature dial in the fridge up which I did. To cut a long story short, either I can have the food in the freezer frozen but then the stuff in the fridge is also frozen. Or I can have the fridge normal but the stuff in the freezer remains unfrozen. In other words, it is not operating as a fridge freezer but as a fridge OR a freezer!
I emailed Russell Hobbs who said to turn it off for 24 hours then on again which I did. This made no difference.
I don't really want the same model again as its other problem is that it's ridiculously noisy. But they have only offered me a straight exchange for the same model or a different one that is too wide for my kitchen. I have asked for a refund but they aren't forthcoming on that one.
I was sure there was something in the law about being sold goods that are not fit for purpose which it clearly isn't. Do I have to accept an exchange or can I insist on a refund?

They might be within their rights to refuse a refund, because it's taken so long for you to report the problem. Have a chat with your local CAB.

The replacement might not be as noisey.

macman

All depends if you are claiming a fault under the manufacturers' warranty, or more generally under SOGA. You are still within the crucial 6m window re SOGA after which you would have to prove a pre-existing fault.
The retailer can repair, replace or refund at their discretion, you have no entitlement to an automatic replacement.

AlexMac

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_common_problems_with_products_e/faulty_goods_e/faulty_goods.htm

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

wealdroam

What is the model number?

Is the f/f in a unheated garage or outhouse?

Any statutory rights you may have are with the seller.
Who did you buy the thing from?

Have you read MSE's Consumer Rights Guide?

JennyP

macman wrote: »

All depends if you are claiming a fault under the manufacturers' warranty, or more generally under SOGA. You are still within the crucial 6m window re SOGA after which you would have to prove a pre-existing fault.
The retailer can repair, replace or refund at their discretion, you have no entitlement to an automatic replacement.

What is SOGA?

JennyP

wealdroam wrote: »

What is the model number?

Is the f/f in a unheated garage or outhouse?

Any statutory rights you may have are with the seller.
Who did you buy the thing from?

Have you read MSE's Consumer Rights Guide?

It is on a boat. The boat is colder than a house but I live there and it isn't freezing cold. Everything else works as normal!

wealdroam

JennyP wrote: »

It is on a boat. The boat is colder than a house but I live there and it isn't freezing cold. Everything else works as normal!

If there is only one thermostat, then it is highly likely that the thing will not work properly in your environment.

For example, if the ambient temperature is such that the fridge part needs no cooling, then no cooling will take place and the freezer part will thaw.

This more detailed explanation may help.

And again... what is the model number?

Who did you buy it from?

SoGA = Sale of Goods Act.

The_ICT_Engineer

Fridge Freezers work perfectly well on boats. The Russell Hobbs RHUCFF48B under-counter fridge freezer model (Which I suspect it is) is one of the more common AC powered versions installed on boats (DC version costs 6 times more) powered either by an inverter or shore supply. This model does require use of a pure sine-wave inverter rather than the cheaper modified sine-wave inverter. The inverter also needs to have a power rating of at least 600 watts (Compressor start up power demand ( 2 to 3 seconds).

JennyP

The_ICT_Engineer wrote: »

Fridge Freezers work perfectly well on boats. The Russell Hobbs RHUCFF48B under-counter fridge freezer model (Which I suspect it is) is one of the more common AC powered versions installed on boats (DC version costs 6 times more) powered either by an inverter or shore supply. This model does require use of a pure sine-wave inverter rather than the cheaper modified sine-wave inverter. The inverter also needs to have a power rating of at least 600 watts (Compressor start up power demand ( 2 to 3 seconds).

That's the one I've got.
I'm plugged into the mains so is my inverter relevant? If it is, I will have a look at it and see what it says! I think it's an 1800W one.

jbainbridge

JennyP wrote: »

It is on a boat. The boat is colder than a house but I live there and it isn't freezing cold. Everything else works as normal!

According to the manual the ambient temp needs to be above 10 or 16C. The freezer is cooled alongside the fridge ... if the ambient temp is too cold the fridge doesn't need to be cooled so much - at the same time the freezer isn't kept cold.

Is it working any better now the weather is warming up?

The ICT Engineer is obviously more knowledgeable on this subject - though it does sound like the fridge is fine with your current invertor. If it was a problem surely the fridge wouldn't work either?