Argos wont let me return my tent

CardinalWolsey

OP will be the type of person back on here in a few weeks complaining about an item they've purchased that had been bought and returned by someone else.

And probably a tent. :rotfl:

ChrisK....._3

Not really. Argos have a return policy and now the law will insist they abide by it. Individual stores don't have a right to apply it however they feel like. So that's wrong.

That said, the OP needs to understand that Argos is not a swap shop and they can't sell used tents covered in "sheet" as brand new

PasturesNew wrote: »

To be fair, I'd have made sure every trace of any grass/etc was entirely removed before attempting to return it.

Under "the law" there's nothing wrong with the tent, you bought the wrong one. So then it's down to individual store policy about accepting returns and their conditions.

Can you clean it again and have another go? In for a penny, in for a pound, as they say....

Aylesbury_Duck

ChrisK..... wrote: »

Not really. Argos have a return policy and now the law will insist they abide by it. Individual stores don't have a right to apply it however they feel like. So that's wrong.

That said, the OP needs to understand that Argos is not a swap shop and they can't sell used tents covered in "sheet" as brand new

You're incorrect*. The law cannot insist a retailer abides by their policy, because it's just that: a policy. Most retailers' returns policies offer discretionary terms that enhance a customer's statutory rights. It is those statutory rights that have to be abided by. Argos can choose whether to abide by their policy or not as they wish and they can do that in individual stores, too. They can vary the terms of the policy as they wish, such as for sale items, but they cannot amend them in any way that will adversely affect consumer rights.

*Edited to add: actually, I'm wrong. Apologies ChrisK, my retail law knowledge is clearly a bit shaky!

Hermione_Granger

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

You're incorrect. The law cannot insist a retailer abides by their policy, because it's just that: a policy.

Even though it may be a store policy and not a statutory right, any term that is written or stated to a customer before they make a purchase forms part of the contract of sale.
If store policy states that goods can be returned for a full refund within X number of days and this term influences the customer into making a purchase then yes, the law most certainly can insist that a retailer abides by their policy.


In reality, not abiding by a written down returns policy is no different to a retailer stating that their goods come with a 2 year warranty then as soon as you have paid your money telling you that they are not going to honour this warranty.

Aylesbury_Duck

Hermione_Granger wrote: »

Even though it may be a store policy and not a statutory right, any term that is written or stated to a customer before they make a purchase forms part of the contract of sale.
If store policy states that goods can be returned for a full refund within X number of days and this term influences the customer into making a purchase then yes, the law most certainly can insist that a retailer abides by their policy.


In reality, not abiding by a written down returns policy is no different to a retailer stating that their goods come with a 2 year warranty then as soon as you have paid your money telling you that they are not going to honour this warranty.

I see. Thanks for correcting me. Apologies, ChrisK.

LilElvis

As the OP is planning on buying the replacement tent from Very karma might well bite her on the butt based on the numerous threads on that company's shocking record of incompetence and dire customer service. Here's hoping!

NCC-1707

The Argos 30 days return policy:-


30 day money back guarantee. Most things we sell are covered by our 30!!!8211;day money!!!8211;back guarantee, so just return them to us unused, in their original undamaged packaging, in a saleable condition, with your receipt and we'll give you a refund.

thrifty_pete

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

There's also the distinct possibility that someone will send a link to this thread to Argos head office to alert them of the potential fraud

Fraud is a bit strong - the OP would be gaining a refund of money they had already paid. I think Argos are generally quite liberal about refunds, some stuff I've bought there has clearly been opened, but given they are a catalogue shop, you can expect some stock to have been looked and then not purchased.
Clearly expecting a refund on a dirty tent is taking the micky, but I don't think I'd call it fraud. Fraud would be buying the tent, going to a festival then taking it back for a refund. Then there would be the gain of a free tent rental!

Aylesbury_Duck

thrifty_pete wrote: »

Fraud is a bit strong - the OP would be gaining a refund of money they had already paid. I think Argos are generally quite liberal about refunds, some stuff I've bought there has clearly been opened, but given they are a catalogue shop, you can expect some stock to have been looked and then not purchased.
Clearly expecting a refund on a dirty tent is taking the micky, but I don't think I'd call it fraud. Fraud would be buying the tent, going to a festival then taking it back for a refund. Then there would be the gain of a free tent rental!

I couldn't think of a better word, perhaps fraud is a bit strong, but I also suspect that your hypothetical scenario isn't too far from the truth, either!

AndyMc.....

thrifty_pete wrote: »

Fraud is a bit strong - the OP would be gaining a refund of money they had already paid. I think Argos are generally quite liberal about refunds, some stuff I've bought there has clearly been opened, but given they are a catalogue shop, you can expect some stock to have been looked and then not purchased.
Clearly expecting a refund on a dirty tent is taking the micky, but I don't think I'd call it fraud. Fraud would be buying the tent, going to a festival then taking it back for a refund. Then there would be the gain of a free tent rental!

Putting the tent up in the rear garden is the same as using it at a festival. By returning it used you exposing Argos to a risk of loss when they can't resell it.