Faulty Panasonic microwave from Argos

Electro_Magnet

Hi, I’m looking for advice regarding a microwave purchased from Argos in September 2015. It cost £70 for a Panasonic NN-E271WM (Argos item no. 400/7999).

So it’s just over 2 years old, and then last week during normal use the plastic middle bit which turns the turntable began sparking and started to melt. There was a horrible smell, similar to burning hair.

I took the machine back to the local Argos store with the original receipt, but the staff refused to help and said I need to get it looked at by an engineer. I have also phoned their customer service and been told it’s no longer Argos’s responsibility as it’s over 12 months old.

From what I understand this is all at odds with the Consumer Rights Act (2015). I do not consider just over 2 years to be a reasonable lifespan for a fairly expensive microwave, so I would argue the product was not of satisfactory quality.

If you look at the 1-star reviews on Amazon of the same product there are similar accounts of machines sparking and/or going rusty.

But how do I prove that I didn’t break it - Surely getting an engineer to look at it is going to cost more than it’s worth.

Should I contact Panasonic myself... is this my responsibility? What do I say to Argos, as every time I contact them they just fob me off?

Any advice appreciated!

zoob

I’d recommend you Google sparking microwaves before you blame it on being faulty, 99% of the time it’s not the microwave that caused the fault to begin with.

[Deleted User]

Electro_Magnet wrote: »

But how do I prove that I didn’t break it - Surely getting an engineer to look at it is going to cost more than it’s worth.

Exactly.
I'd just buy a supermarket cheapie to replace this item. Any money you spend chasing this is very likely to be money wasted.

I'd also do as Zoob suggested above, so that you don't make the same errors in future.

BoGoF

Argos are correct.

stuartJo1989

To give you the legal advice (consumer rights):

As it is over 6 months old, the onus is on YOU to prove that the fault was inherent and not caused by user error (example, putting something in there which shouldn't have been in there).

You can do this by getting an independent fault report from an engineer and then going back to Argos. Once presented with this, and if it confirms an inherent fault, then Argos would need to:

- Refund the cost of the fault report
- Choose a remedy (refund, repair, replace)

In terms of contacting Panasonic, you would need to see whether you have a valid warranty with the item (probably not for over 2 years, but maybe!). Panasonic can also potentially act as your "independent fault report engineer" and, normally for a fee, provide you with the report and/or carry out repairs. Unless a warranty exists, Panasonic don't have a legal obligation to enter a dialogue with you about this...

LilElvis

Electro_Magnet wrote: »

Hi, I’m looking for advice regarding a microwave purchased from Argos in September 2015. It cost £70 for a Panasonic NN-E271WM (Argos item no. 400/7999).

So it’s just over 2 years old, and then last week during normal use the plastic middle bit which turns the turntable began sparking and started to melt. There was a horrible smell, similar to burning hair.

I took the machine back to the local Argos store with the original receipt, but the staff refused to help and said I need to get it looked at by an engineer. I have also phoned their customer service and been told it’s no longer Argos’s responsibility as it’s over 12 months old.

From what I understand this is all at odds with the Consumer Rights Act (2015). I do not consider just over 2 years to be a reasonable lifespan for a fairly expensive microwave, so I would argue the product was not of satisfactory quality.

If you look at the 1-star reviews on Amazon of the same product there are similar accounts of machines sparking and/or going rusty.

But how do I prove that I didn’t break it - Surely getting an engineer to look at it is going to cost more than it’s worth.

Should I contact Panasonic myself... is this my responsibility? What do I say to Argos, as every time I contact them they just fob me off?

Any advice appreciated!

Argos are fully complying with their obligations as it is up to you to prove that the fault is down to an inherent manufacturing defect by way of an independent report. If the report finds that this is the case then Argos will refund you the cost of the report and either repair, replace or refund you, though any refund can be reduced to reflect the use you have had. It's up to you to decide whether commissioning a report is worth it given the fairly low value of the microwave (looking on John Lewis the £70 Panasonic is the cheapest that they sell https://m.johnlewis.com/search/microwave-only/_/N-1z0rk69?search-term=Microwave&sortBy=priceHigh&page=2)

TadleyBaggie

Electro_Magnet wrote: »

From what I understand this is all at odds with the Consumer Rights Act (2015).

Except your purchase precedes the act, so would come under the Sale Of Goods Act.

Electro_Magnet

Hi all,
Thanks for your helpful replies.
My previous microwave lasted a good 10 years so I’m surprised this one died so quickly. As has been said, it seems the best option is to let this one go and just buy a new microwave.
Thanks again.