Faulty Microwave from Argos

mckln335

Hi all,

We purchased a Delonghi microwave from Argos back in July 2012. Over the last few months, it has started to rust badly on the inside bottom surface that is in contact with the turntable. I know this is over 4 years old now, but this is not something i would expect to see. Therefore I contacted Argos with the below message:

Hello,

We purchased a Delonghi 20L microwave from your store in Hereford on 16/07/2012. Over the course of the past few months, the bottom surface that is in contact with the turntable has started to rust badly. This is not something i would expect from a product that has had minimal use. I understand the item is no longer under warranty, but under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. I would suggest that a microwave that almost rusts through under light use after a relatively short period of time is not of satisfactory quality. I have pictures of the item in question if required. We would request that the item be replaced with a new item of similar value. The microwave when purchased was £54.99.

They then replied with the following message:

Hi, Mark.

If your item is out of warranty you're still entitled to a 6 year duty of care in which you can take your faulty item to a specialist who can produce an independent report on the product, to deem whether it is had a manufacturing fault.

If this is the case please return the item along with the receipt and report to store to receive a refund.

Regards,

Evan Saunders
Argos E-Commerce Customer Service Team

The question is, is it worth trying to find an independent specialist who will report that the microwave is not of satisfactory quality? Has anyone been through a similar thing before? Or would we be better off putting it down to experience and just buying another?

Many Thanks,

Mark

martinthebandit

Scrap it and buy a new one

Bogalot

Buy a new one!

PasturesNew

I've seen this in other people's microwave ovens, but it doesn't happen to me.

The reason is they don't remove the glass plate and wipe up the pool of water at the bottom. You don't have to do it every time.... but if you've cooked something that's produced a LOT of steam, then that water has to go somewhere and it drips to the bottom.... and, over 2-4 years, will produce rust.

I remove my glass plate and wipe the base dry every time I've steamed rice or vegetables.

naedanger

mckln335 wrote: »

Hi all,

...

We would request that the item be replaced with a new item of similar value. The microwave when purchased was £54.99

...

The question is, is it worth trying to find an independent specialist who will report that the microwave is not of satisfactory quality? Has anyone been through a similar thing before? Or would we be better off putting it down to experience and just buying another?

Many Thanks,

Mark

In my view, "no", it is not worth trying. Even if you get an independent specialist to agree the microwave was not of satisfactory quality you would only be entitled to a partial refund. So assuming a cheap microwave should last 6 years you would only be entitled to a 1/3rd of £54.99.

Balance that against the risk the specialist cannot rule out misuse or that the minimum reasonable lifetime of a £55 microwave is considered to be only around 4 years and you will have wasted money getting a specialist report for nothing.

PS You should have referred to the Sale of Goods Act given the date of purchase (but the point is of no practical significance).

foxtrotoscar_2

Steel wool and elbow grease followed by a thorough clean would be my suggestion.

societys_child

We would request that the item be replaced with a new item of similar value. The microwave when purchased was £54.99.

lol. Lets not mention the 4 years use we've had . . .

wazza99

Good Lord......buy another.........i give up.

Mr.Generous

happened to us a couple of times with microwaves, I got a tip from someone to leave the door open after you have finished cooking / cleaning it out so any moisture can evaporate. It works!

ARandomMiser

I would also think that because it was bought in 2012 the CRA of 2015 would not apply.

I would also agree with others saying that it is not an inherent fault but misuse or a lack of care from the OP that resulted in the rust.