eternity ring snapped 3 years after purchase

re-rewind

As per title really, purchased online using my credit card an almost £300 ring for my wife. Although the ring is 3 years old, it has only had 2 years of light usage on it.

It has snapped clean in one place and partially in another but is still attached at one point but some wiggling could easily see it break again.

Retailer (Debenhams) is saying I can have it repaired for £25 by the manufacturer, but Debenhams aren't responsible anymore as 1 year has passed by already so I need to deal with them (the manufacturer) directly, pay for postage back and forth and getting it fixed.

My view is this ring has been manufactured shoddily and I kind of dont really want it repaired as there is clearly a fault, but especially dont want to pay for a repair on a ring not very old.

Would a section 75 work on this? Can Debenhams legally shun responsibility? Where do I stand please?

pramsay13

What are you looking for?
You've had a ring for three years so I think you would struggle to get any sort of refund or replacement as you would have to prove that the ring was not fit for purpose or had a manufacturing defect.
£25 for a repair doesn't sound too bad and presumably it would then get another year's warranty.

re-rewind

pramsay13 wrote: »

What are you looking for?
You've had a ring for three years so I think you would struggle to get any sort of refund or replacement as you would have to prove that the ring was not fit for purpose or had a manufacturing defect.
£25 for a repair doesn't sound too bad and presumably it would then get another year's warranty.

You sound a bit of a pushover (no offence, but if you'd be willing to just roll with that) because even 3 years is no where near what I would call a fit-for-purpose eternity ring you've got to be kidding me?

Wouldn't you expect more for £300?

unholyangel

re-rewind wrote: »

You sound a bit of a pushover (no offence, but if you'd be willing to just roll with that) because even 3 years is no where near what I would call a fit-for-purpose eternity ring you've got to be kidding me?

Wouldn't you expect more for £300?

Without meaning to offend and bearing in mind that I dont believe you've even mentioned what materials it was made from or what style it is.....£300 for an eternity ring is definitely at the lower end of the "budget" range of whats on offer and debenhams don't exactly scream quality jewellers.

As for your rights, 3 years ago....before 1st Oct 2015? If so, the sale of goods act will be the relevant legislation. However, the trader can require you to prove the fault was inherent and has not been the result of physical damage or misuse. This is usually done via independent report - the cost of which the retailer would be liable for if the report finds in your favour. With regards to s75, if you have a claim against the retailer then you have a like claim against the creditor. So they may require a report also. They would then be liable to provide a repair. Only if they were unable to do this within a reasonable time and without causing significant inconvenience could you insist on a refund. However they would be entitled to reduce your refund to account for use you had of the item.

ssparks2003

How did it snap in 2 places? I would guess that you and the wife were not just sitting there then a loud twang and the ring was sailing across the room?

marliepanda

£300 isn't expensive for a ring. Its just not, which suggests it is more of a 'dress' ring than an everyday ring.

Snapping in two places probably means it has had excessive wear due to its quality, such as using a gear stick, it hitting against a door handle 3/4/5 times a day when opening a door normally, everyday things which a £300 ring is unlikely to withstand.

ElefantEd

What sort of manufacturer would sell an eternity ring without a lifetime (of the universe) guarantee?

NotRichAtAll

ElefantEd wrote: »

What sort of manufacturer would sell an eternity ring without a lifetime (of the universe) guarantee?

Debenhams probably

Manxman_in_exile

marliepanda wrote: »

£300 isn't expensive for a ring. Its just not, which suggests it is more of a 'dress' ring than an everyday ring.

Snapping in two places probably means it has had excessive wear due to its quality, such as using a gear stick, it hitting against a door handle 3/4/5 times a day when opening a door normally, everyday things which a £300 ring is unlikely to withstand.

When we got married six years ago we exchanged "symbolic" titanium rings - they're virtually indestructible (real "eternity"!). They cost about £40 each.


Also I understand hospital A&E depts. really dislike titanium rings as they are especially difficult to cut off/remove!


We also only spent about £500 on our wedding - not £20,000 +!


We saved a lot of money!!!!

re-rewind

unholyangel wrote: »

Without meaning to offend and bearing in mind that I dont believe you've even mentioned what materials it was made from or what style it is.....£300 for an eternity ring is definitely at the lower end of the "budget" range of whats on offer and debenhams don't exactly scream quality jewellers.

As for your rights, 3 years ago....before 1st Oct 2015? If so, the sale of goods act will be the relevant legislation. However, the trader can require you to prove the fault was inherent and has not been the result of physical damage or misuse. This is usually done via independent report - the cost of which the retailer would be liable for if the report finds in your favour. With regards to s75, if you have a claim against the retailer then you have a like claim against the creditor. So they may require a report also. They would then be liable to provide a repair. Only if they were unable to do this within a reasonable time and without causing significant inconvenience could you insist on a refund. However they would be entitled to reduce your refund to account for use you had of the item.

Thanks for the detailed info, the material is 9ct gold with approximately 6 diamonds across, haven't got it in front of me at the second. £300 is still not a insignificant amount of money.

ssparks2003 wrote: »

How did it snap in 2 places? I would guess that you and the wife were not just sitting there then a loud twang and the ring was sailing across the room?

She was literally just taking it off her finger and click, part of it snapped completely and there is another place where it has partially broken too.

marliepanda wrote: »

£300 isn't expensive for a ring. Its just not, which suggests it is more of a 'dress' ring than an everyday ring.

Snapping in two places probably means it has had excessive wear due to its quality, such as using a gear stick, it hitting against a door handle 3/4/5 times a day when opening a door normally, everyday things which a £300 ring is unlikely to withstand.

When compared to all the rings for sale in the world, yes its a cheap ring, so what. £300 is still not an insignificant amount of money and to be honest, rings aren't worth spending thousands and thousands of pounds on unless you're into that sort of thing, which we're both not.

Like I said above it has only had light daily use for 2 years as my wife couldn't wear it for 12 months due to being pregnant and fingers swelling etc.

forgotmyname

You do seem to be rather unlucky with products needing repair or needing to claim for issues.

Puzzles me why you think a repair will not do? The ring started from a pile of scrap and melted/formed into the shape of a ring.