Broken after one year

Martin_R

In April 2016, I purchased two RCD outdoor double electrical sockets.
The sockets come with a clip that closes them to make the, waterproof.
Yesterday when closing one of them, one of the the clips snapped - they are held in place by a small pin, so easily replaceable. I thought.
Screwfix told me they don't supply spares, but said people keep phoning about this, I said 'Ah, so inherent fault then?', they said "no just rough handling of it".
They said it wouldn't replaced as it is 15 months old, despite the fact that without the cover clipped closed it can no longer be totally waterproof. I only need a clip not a full unit.
They told me to phoned the manufacturer British General, who said they only supply full units, not spares.
Any advice please?

wealdroam

Martin_R wrote: »

In April 2016, I purchased two RCD outdoor double electrical sockets.
The sockets come with a clip that closes them to make the, waterproof.
Yesterday when closing one of them, one of the the clips snapped - they are held in place by a small pin, so easily replaceable. I thought.
Screwfix told me they don't supply spares, but said people keep phoning about this, I said 'Ah, so inherent fault then?', they said "no just rough handling of it".
They said it wouldn't replaced as it is 15 months old, despite the fact that without the cover clipped closed it can no longer be totally waterproof. I only need a clip not a full unit.
They told me to phoned the manufacturer British General, who said they only supply full units, not spares.
Any advice please?

This short extract from MSE's Consumer Rights guide should help you:

Know who's responsible

When returning items, beware shops trying the oldest trick in the book: saying they're not responsible for the shoddy goods and you must call the manufacturer. This is total nonsense!

If a company fobs you off by saying "go to the maker instead", it's wrong. It's the retailer's job to sort it.

It doesn't matter if it's an iPod from a high street shop or a designer frock from a department store. If something's broken, torn, ripped or faulty, the seller has a legal duty to put it right as your contract is with it.

You will also read in that article that you have up to six years to seek a remedy from the seller.

Did you buy as a consumer? How did you pay? By credit card?
Do you have proof of purchase?

Martin_R

Thankyou.
Yes I bought as a consumer, I paid by Debit Card, I have the E-mailed invoice they sent to me.

Having read the Consumer Rights Act - thankyou for the link - I will now quote this to them, and reply here on their response.

wealdroam

Martin_R wrote: »

Thankyou.
Yes I bought as a consumer, I paid by Debit Card, I have the E-mailed invoice they sent to me.

Having read the Consumer Rights Act - thankyou for the link - I will now quote this to them, and reply here on their response.

Careful, that's not The Consumer Rights Act I have linked to.

You may look a bit silly if you try to pass that off as the CRA.

Martin_R

Sorry, I meant Sale Of Goods Act, that's what I have quoted in my E-mail to them

wealdroam

Martin_R wrote: »

Sorry, I meant Sale Of Goods Act, that's what I have quoted in my E-mail to them

Oh dear.

The Sale of Goods Act does not apply to your purchase.

For consumer purchases, The Sale of Goods Act was effectively replaced by The Consumer Rights Act and became effective for purchases made after 1st October 2015.

The link I provided was to a MoneySavingExpert document.

Martin_R

Oh, I was just reading the acts and rights quoted in it, oh well, let's see if then don't realise, i've sent them a pic and copy of invoice anyway

Martin_R

Oh dear!
Below is the reply I had from Screwfix, can anyone suggest a suitable reply please?

Dear Martin

Thank you for your email regarding the product BG 13A 2G RCD Switched Socket.

I am very sorry to learn of the problems you have experienced with the product you purchased from us and I appreciate the inconvenience that this has caused. I can assure you that Screwfix take any feedback regarding its products seriously and I have noted and passed your comments to our Buying Department for internal review.

As previously advised by our customer service team, the above product purchased on 08/04/2016 is guaranteed by us for one year only, unless otherwise stated, any remaining guarantee is held by the manufacturer. As the BG 13A 2G RCD Switched Socket is now outside of the guarantee period, we are unable to offer a replacement or refund directly and I apologise for any disappointment that this may cause.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries.


Kind Regards

Sarah Rigley
Customer Resolution Representative

Rainbowgirl84

Is a DIY repair a possibility? Perhaps using a panel pin/small nail cut down to fit?

Martin_R

Sadly no, as the part of plastic where the spindle goes through broke into three and it's about 3mm big, if there was a way to put a picture here to help you understand more I would

wealdroam

Martin_R wrote: »

...if there was a way to put a picture here to help you understand more I would

Upload your picture to a webhosting site, tinypic is one but there are many others, and post the url here.