Can I ask for installation costs to be refunded?

Rotti

I am having exactly the same issues with faulty CCTV cameras - of which there seem to be many! Himself can't do ladders so we have to pay someone to come and do the job but being able to swap favours and skills is sometimes an option. The first lot we bought failed at 3 months and we couldn't get them down in time to take action against the seller on eBay. We were stuck with them until last week when we had them replaced so I have now written to them to advise that unless they deal with it they will be in the Small Claims Court. Unfortunately the replacements are also faulty- one did not work out of the box, was replaced a couple of days later and now the other one has clouded too. So having run out of favours and skill trades we are going to have to pay to get them back down to send them back, then again to put up yet more replacements. It does seem to be a bit of a grey area but I'm sure there are many others who are either nervous of messing with electrics or don't do ladders even if they are up to simple DIY at ground level.

wealdroam

Rotti wrote: »

I am having exactly the same issues with faulty CCTV cameras - of which there seem to be many! Himself can't do ladders so we have to pay someone to come and do the job but being able to swap favours and skills is sometimes an option. The first lot we bought failed at 3 months and we couldn't get them down in time to take action against the seller on eBay. We were stuck with them until last week when we had them replaced so I have now written to them to advise that unless they deal with it they will be in the Small Claims Court. Unfortunately the replacements are also faulty- one did not work out of the box, was replaced a couple of days later and now the other one has clouded too. So having run out of favours and skill trades we are going to have to pay to get them back down to send them back, then again to put up yet more replacements. It does seem to be a bit of a grey area but I'm sure there are many others who are either nervous of messing with electrics or don't do ladders even if they are up to simple DIY at ground level.

Grey area? What's 'grey' about it?

Did you miss my earlier quote from The Sale of Goods Act?
Please re-read the first reply in this thread.

Rotti

No I didn't miss it but exactly how do you suggest getting them to pay up? You make it sound easy but if they won't pay you would be looking at a long drawn-out small claims case and most people would give up at that point.

London50

Rotti wrote: »

No I didn't miss it but exactly how do you suggest getting them to pay up? You make it sound easy but if they won't pay you would be looking at a long drawn-out small claims case and most people would give up at that point.

That is IMO the whole point that companies work on that if they say no your only redress is SCC and most people will not bother as it is too much hassle. That way the company wins, but in the end it is a} what a person is capable of doing themselves or b} if they are prepared to take it further.
I look at it this way if it is a job I can do or it was a cheap item I would D I Y, but if the job entailed major work that would cost plenty then I would take it as far as I could to get the extra costs involved.

unholyangel

Rotti wrote: »

No I didn't miss it but exactly how do you suggest getting them to pay up? You make it sound easy but if they won't pay you would be looking at a long drawn-out small claims case and most people would give up at that point.

I'm curious what powers you think we have that we could force someone into doing something they don't want to.

Usually a well written LBA will get a resolution without resorting to court action - especially if matters are clearly supported in law rather than being a point of contention. Theres also section 75, chargeback and the likes but these are not available in every situation so court is always your last resort.

But if a company is particularly stubborn, the only ones with the authority to force them are the courts. We have no magic wands, not entirely sure what you're expecting of us.

Rotti

unholyangel wrote: »

I'm curious what powers you think we have that we could force someone into doing something they don't want to.

Usually a well written LBA will get a resolution without resorting to court action - especially if matters are clearly supported in law rather than being a point of contention. Theres also section 75, chargeback and the likes but these are not available in every situation so court is always your last resort.

But if a company is particularly stubborn, the only ones with the authority to force them are the courts. We have no magic wands, not entirely sure what you're expecting of us.

Who are the "we" and "us" you refer to? I'm not asking anyone to do anything and am more than capable of dealing with these matters but a lot of people aren't and Section 75 and chargeback are terms constantly bandied around but are not as easy as people make out. I have had dealings on both recently and also won a case in the SCC last week but it took a long time and the retailer would not respond at any stage so LBA and mediation didn't work. We should not have to jump through hoops to make retailers comply with the law and take responsibility for what they sell and it seems wrong now that consumers have to do for themselves that which was previously done by Trading Standards. Companies are getting away with far too much as the resources to deal with them are too thinly spread.

Nodding_Donkey

London50 wrote: »

You will more than likely find when you disconnect in from the wall it will have either two or more than likely 3 wires {live/nutural/earth as long as two bare wires do not touch together there is no way you can get a shock off it all you need to do is follow my first post and you will be fine :0)

My bold.

This is very dangerous advice, it's perfectly possible to get a shock off either the neutral or live wire.

cattermole

OP re advice which is correct re costs of installing etc.

Please note that outside lights can be covered by building regulations so it would then need to be signed off by an appropriately qualified person.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/lighting/

I would email/send a letter to the supplier outlining the legislation and also check whether your new outside light does need building regs approval/signing off.

The better alternative for the supplier might be to send you a new light before the old one is returned based on photographic evidence? I did this with one faulty item a cracked sink, they accepted the photos and did not expect it to be returned. As this would only involve one visit from the Electrician if you already have the new light to fit.

cattermole

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

My bold.

This is very dangerous advice, it's perfectly possible to get a shock off either the neutral or live wire.

My thoughts exactly which is one of the reasons I made the post above.

arcon5

Did you not check the lamps condition before isntalling them?