Argos - refusing to refund poor quality 5 month old metal furniture! What can I do?

Tigsteroonie

I'm sorry but I'm with the OP on this. Garden furniture - that has no instructions at time of sale to recommend indoor storage - should not be adversely affected by a British winter. It should have been treated to prevent rust, at least during the first year, before sale.

Garden furniture is stuff that sits in the garden. Not stuff that is kept in a shed and only brought outdoors for the afternoon that you intend using it, and then put away again afterwards. That's normal furniture.

wealdroam

The descriptions of most, if not all, of the metal garden chair sets that Argos are currently selling say:

- Weather resistant.
- Can be left outside all year.

Of course 'weather resistant' is not the same as 'weather proof'.

They also say:

Maintenance: Clean your outdoor furniture regularly with a mild, soapy water before drying it thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. If storing your furniture indoors isn't an option, invest in a good quality cover for protection against the elements. Regular maintenance and care will make your outdoor furniture last longer.

It is probably reasonable to assume - but it is only an assumption - that those details were on the description of the item you bought.

bris

You can't keep it outside because it will rust over the winter.


Do you have anything to say it is safe to keep it outside without protection?

Tigsteroonie

bris wrote: »

You can't keep it outside because it will rust over the winter.


Do you have anything to say it is safe to keep it outside without protection?

It's garden furniture. Surely that should be the other way around - was there anything to say that it shouldn't be left outside?

I'd expect house furniture to be kept in the house, and to get mouldy or rusty if left outside. I'd expect garden furniture to be kept in the garden, and not get mouldy or rusty. Dirty yes, but dirt can be cleaned off.

As for recommending a cover "to make it last longer" I believe that it should last longer than 5 months without a cover.

But it sounds as though the OP and I are in a minority in our opinion.

Poppie68

Garden furniture or not metal will rust if left to the elements...in the 5 months it's spent in the garden it's been exposed to some brutal weather which has obviously speeded the rust process up...Left out over a summer season with days of Sun or warmth in the equation and stored away come autumn would prolong its life.
I can't see Argos budging but a little persistence may see a good will gesture.

anotherday1

Wow, I learn something new everyday. I never realised that outdoor garden furniture can't be left outdoors in the garden. I never realised that I shouldn't have expected the manufacturer to apply sufficient coats of paint to surfaces that can rust to avoid the rust. Maybe I should be pleased that my advertised black table set has evolved into an attractive brown and black set in only 5 months! Yippee, in another 5 months it might be totally brown!

wealdroam

anotherday1 wrote: »

Wow, I learn something new everyday. I never realised that outdoor garden furniture can't be left outdoors in the garden. I never realised that I shouldn't have expected the manufacturer to apply sufficient coats of paint to surfaces that can rust to avoid the rust. Maybe I should be pleased that my advertised black table set has evolved into an attractive brown and black set in only 5 months! Yippee, in another 5 months it might be totally brown!

Don't beat about the bush.
If you don't appreciate the opinions of others, just say so.

unholyangel

anotherday1 wrote: »

Wow, I learn something new everyday. I never realised that outdoor garden furniture can't be left outdoors in the garden. I never realised that I shouldn't have expected the manufacturer to apply sufficient coats of paint to surfaces that can rust to avoid the rust. Maybe I should be pleased that my advertised black table set has evolved into an attractive brown and black set in only 5 months! Yippee, in another 5 months it might be totally brown!

Something being for outdoor use does not mean its suitable for use in all seasons. Unless it was specifically advertised as suitable for all seasons, I'm afraid I'd agree with the opinions you seem to have taken umbrage with.

Even goods suitable for outdoor use during winter may need tlc to keep them aesthetically pleasing.

naedanger

anotherday1 wrote: »

What can I do, since I have other garden furniture that is much older and those items have not rusted? I thinking about the following:

1) Emailing their complaints department and attaching the photos to request a collection and a refund.
2) If they refuse, then I will contact my credit card provider to raise a dispute.

This seems a reasonable course of action. Make sure to mention that there were no instructions stating the furniture was to be covered/stored over the winter and that you have other garden furniture that survived the same conditions.

Q1) Am I within in my rights to reject the item due to the poor quality paint finish that is not fit for purpose?

You are certainly entitled to try. Whether you are right depends on who you speak to. I am of the same opinion as you but others aren't. The opinion that will matter is that of your credit card provider (or if they deny your claim and you take the matter to court then it will be the opinion of the judge that matters.)

Q2) When I email the complaints department, should I tell them that I will request a charge back via my credit card?

In my view, yes. Not as a threat but simply to make them aware of this point.

Q3) Will my credit card company support me in the process?

Seems too close to call. Personally I think they will if you make a good case. But that is just my inexpert opinion.

paddyrg

I'm also erring on the side of garden furniture being suitable for the garden, which is the opposite of indoors. I can't say our cheapo bird feeder is rusting up despite being of similar tubular mild steel construction, as it's been painted effectively.

Remember (and if necessary remind them) that the small claims courts will typically go with balance of probabilities and of what an average person would think/understand.