Replaced electric fire, asking for old one

Dot2101

Hi there
Hoping you can help as I think this is consumer rights
I have had a focal point electric fire for 11 months and it broke, they took 3 weeks to send a replacement part and an engineer who failed to fix the fire
They have now replaced the fire completely
I contacted them to ask about warranty as I was unsure if it would start as a new 3 year warranty now that it is new but they've said not and asked for a convienient weekday to collect the fire

My 1st issue is I'm not sure if my partner has disposed of it (I'm working away and don't want to break this to him until I have my facts straight)
They have never mentioned until now that we would need to keep the old fire for them
We both week all through the week - I don't want to book a day off just to stay in for them to collect it that's an inconvenience

What are my rights and what do I do if he has got rid of the fire , could they charge me for the new one?!

Thank you for your help

powerful_Rogue

Afraid to break the bad news to you, but yes, they can charge you if you have disposed of the old fire.

pinkshoes

The fire belongs to the company, so not yours to dispose of. They will no doubt want to fix it and sell it on as reconditioned.

It should be collected at YOUR convenience.

If it has been disposed of then they may charge you for it, albeit not the full price.

Dot2101

Hi both, Thank you very much for your replies and clarifying

naedanger

Dot2101 wrote: »

Hi there
Hoping you can help as I think this is consumer rights
I have had a focal point electric fire for 11 months and it broke, they took 3 weeks to send a replacement part and an engineer who failed to fix the fire
They have now replaced the fire completely
I contacted them to ask about warranty as I was unsure if it would start as a new 3 year warranty now that it is new but they've said not and asked for a convienient weekday to collect the fire

My 1st issue is I'm not sure if my partner has disposed of it (I'm working away and don't want to break this to him until I have my facts straight)
They have never mentioned until now that we would need to keep the old fire for them
We both week all through the week - I don't want to book a day off just to stay in for them to collect it that's an inconvenience

What are my rights and what do I do if he has got rid of the fire , could they charge me for the new one?!

Thank you for your help

I think the most they could legitimately demand is the value to them of the broken fire - so possibly the value of a second hand broken model of the fire (and one that they failed to repair previously). So if you don't have the item I would tell them you disposed of it (assuming you did) because you thought that it was of no value.

Also if you do find the fire they should collect at a time convenient to you. But you should not be unreasonable, so you should tell them what days/times there would be someone at home.

usefulmale

Dot2101 wrote: »

Hi there
Hoping you can help as I think this is consumer rights
I have had a focal point electric fire for 11 months and it broke, they took 3 weeks to send a replacement part and an engineer who failed to fix the fire
They have now replaced the fire completely
I contacted them to ask about warranty as I was unsure if it would start as a new 3 year warranty now that it is new but they've said not and asked for a convienient weekday to collect the fire

My 1st issue is I'm not sure if my partner has disposed of it (I'm working away and don't want to break this to him until I have my facts straight)
They have never mentioned until now that we would need to keep the old fire for them
We both week all through the week - I don't want to book a day off just to stay in for them to collect it that's an inconvenience

What are my rights and what do I do if he has got rid of the fire , could they charge me for the new one?!

Thank you for your help

Presumably, one of you took a day off so the engineer could attempt the repair? Is taking a day off only convenient when it's for your benefit?

You were quick to contact them when you wanted the benefit of resetting the warranty clock to zero but now that they are asking for their property back that you disposed of even quicker, you are getting arrsey.

You have exercised your rights. Now face up to your responsibilities.

OlliesDad

usefulmale wrote: »

Presumably, one of you took a day off so the engineer could attempt the repair? Is taking a day off only convenient when it's for your benefit?

You were quick to contact them when you wanted the benefit of resetting the warranty clock to zero but now that they are asking for their property back that you disposed of even quicker, you are getting arrsey.

You have exercised your rights. Now face up to your responsibilities.

What a truly bizarre post!

Yes the OP has presumably wasted time while they deal with the repair attempt and replacement, however your post suggests that it is the OPs fault and that the retailer has been inconvenienced. The retailer should be minimising any inconvenience and covering any costs they incur.

OP - the other replies have answered you, fingers crossed your partner has kept it safe.

Dot2101

Wow sorry seem to have touched a nerve there!
I didn't have to book a day off for repair they were happy to come at 6.30pm, when they tried to deliver a new one we asked them to send it to my parents who are both retired so yes if my partner has the fire we could take the old one to my parents for collection if need be. Sorry I wasn't aware of laws and rules with warranty, it's a sensible question to ask in my eyes.

Thank you for everyone's responses and sorry that I seem to have offended you.

usefulmale wrote: »

Presumably, one of you took a day off so the engineer could attempt the repair? Is taking a day off only convenient when it's for your benefit?

You were quick to contact them when you wanted the benefit of resetting the warranty clock to zero but now that they are asking for their property back that you disposed of even quicker, you are getting arrsey.

You have exercised your rights. Now face up to your responsibilities.