Low quality item bought online, seller refusing return postage

InquisitiveMind

I bought an item online (not Ebay / Amazon). The item is extremely low quality and I'm rejecting under Sales of Goods Act. The store is telling me to return for a full refund which I want to do, but store has refused to pay returns cost. I know the law states they have to pay.

If they continue to refuse, am I able to actually process a refund through obudsman / arbitration / small claims without actually sending the item back due to their refusal?

HappyMJ

How did you pay for the item?

If debit/credit card just a chargeback should suffice.

The obudsman / arbitration / small claims are probably all an overkill depending on value of item.

bod1467

How much is return postage?

Whilst you may have a case, legally, some battles are worth fighting and some aren't.

InquisitiveMind

I'm of that sentiment bod1467, guessing postage will be £5-7 but I don't see why I should be out of pocket for their dodgy selling.

HappyMJ - paid by CC and it's below £100, am I still able to do that?

wealdroam

InquisitiveMind wrote: »

HappyMJ - paid by CC and it's below £100, am I still able to do that?

Yes, although there is a £10 minimum for Mastercard.

Have a read of MSE's Chargeback article.

shaun_from_Africa

Low quality goods isn't in itself a good enough reason to allow for rejection under the SOGA as the quality is allowed to be dependent on the price paid.
If for example you paid £1000 for a watch, you would expect that watch to be of a good quality and last a reasonable time.
However, if you only paid £10, provided that the watch worked as advertised then you wouldn't expect the same quality or durability.

A lot will depend on what sort of item it was that you purchased and how much you paid compared to how much a similar item normally sells for.

InquisitiveMind

wealdroam wrote: »

Yes, although there is a £10 minimum for Mastercard...

Thank you! Approaching the CC company would be more sensible than having to fight with the store.

InquisitiveMind

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Low quality goods isn't in itself a good enough reason to allow for rejection under the SOGA as the quality is allowed to be dependent on the price paid.
If for example you paid £1000 for a watch, you would expect that watch to be of a good quality and last a reasonable time.
However, if you only paid £10, provided that the watch worked as advertised then you wouldn't expect the same quality or durability.

A lot will depend on what sort of item it was that you purchased and how much you paid compared to how much a similar item normally sells for.

I understand, but like for like with comparable products, the item falls noticeably short and has many defects.

Nodding_Donkey

I don't see how a chargeback is going to help. The card company won't add the postage on, they will just refund the original price paid which is what the seller has offered.

InquisitiveMind

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

I don't see how a chargeback is going to help. The card company won't add the postage on, they will just refund the original price paid which is what the seller has offered.

I wouldn't need to send the item back though?

peachyprice

InquisitiveMind wrote: »

I wouldn't need to send the item back though?

I think you'll find you will. You can't have a refund AND keep the item.

And if a refund has already been offered a chargeback is likely to be refused.