Currys have sold me a repaired fire-damaged fridge as a new one

Arthritic_Toe

I bought a new fridge via the Currys website. All appeared fine initially, but it became apparent over the next couple of weeks that it had a minor issue - the little condensation drain at the back appeared to be blocked and this resulted in water all over the bottom of the fridge which leaked out on to the floor. You might expect this on an old fridge as the drain hole can become blocked with food and gunk etc, but not on a new one. Anyway after a bit of Googling, the standard fix is to poke something through to clear the hole, however it became obvious that it was just a blind hole that didnt go anywhere.


Pulling the fridge forward and looking in the gap at the base revealed quite a shock. There was soot residue above the motor and the drain plug had been melted into a sealed nub - obviously the cause of the condensation drain issue. You don't have to be Hercule Poirot to work out that previously, the motor had caught fire. The motor and drip tray which sits above it had been replaced by shiny new ones, but they had obviously overlooked the melted drain plug.


Now when I get hold of customer services (they're only open Monday-Friday), I fully expect them to replace the fridge, assuming they dont try to fob me off with just replacing the plug (which would actually fix it - but thats hardly the point). However, what they've done here is appalling - they've sold a bodged up, fire damaged, second-hand fridge as a new product.


I guess all I really want out of this is for them to replace it with a new fridge, which they will probably do, but I'm wondering whether what they've done here is actually illegal and whether I should take it further.


Any opinions?

Barny1979

Arthritic_Toe wrote: »

I guess all I really want out of this is for them to replace it with a new fridge, which they will probably do, but I'm wondering whether what they've done here is actually illegal and whether I should take it further.


Any opinions?

Get a new fridge and make it well known to them that they are out of order, or ring The Sun and practice your Compo Face.

Fosterdog

How do you know it's second hand? Maybe they turn them all on for testing at the factory (I know they do with dishwashers and washing machines) and it happened there and the manufacturer replaced the faulty part and retested it before it even made it to the retailer. They obviously overlooked the melted plastic plug. This is a far more likely scenario than it being a second hand unit.

Al_Ross

Currys-No worries
You will struggle with this lot.They will advise you,you need to call the manufacturer,Hotpoint,or whoever,how many weeks have you had it?

Arthritic_Toe

Al_Ross wrote: »

Currys-No worries
You will struggle with this lot.They will advise you,you need to call the manufacturer,Hotpoint,or whoever,how many weeks have you had it?

Less than 30 days, so I think I'll be ok. @Fosterdog - yes could be testing I suppose - I have no way of knowing.



You'd have thought they'd at least wipe the soot off though

Korkyb

I suppose its not impossible that the damage happened since being in with you - although saying that you would probably have noticed soot on your wall as well.


Smoke alarms reminder for everyone methinks! (including a heat detector type in the kitchen).


Must check mine.......

photome

Korkyb wrote: »

I suppose its not impossible that the damage happened since being in with you - although saying that you would probably have noticed soot on your wall as well.


Smoke alarms reminder for everyone methinks! (including a heat detector type in the kitchen).


Must check mine.......

You think the OP had a fire in their new fridge and then replaced the motor and now want a new fridge

Korkyb

photome wrote: »

You think the OP had a fire in their new fridge and then replaced the motor and now want a new fridge

Fair point well made!


I missed the bit about the shiny new parts.

Just off to give myself a damn good flogging!

Arthritic_Toe

Al_Ross wrote: »

Currys-No worries
You will struggle with this lot.They will advise you,you need to call the manufacturer,Hotpoint,or whoever,how many weeks have you had it?

Blimey you're not wrong.
1st call to customer services. 20 mins on hold then spoke to someone who took no details from me but chatted for 5 mins and then just threw me back to the queue.
2nd call 20 mins later. Explained all the details again they agreed it should be exchanged but I just needed 'a code' from the manufacturer. They put me through to the manufacturers switchboard where the recorded message informed me that their offices are closed and only open Monday to Friday (this was 3pm Monday).
3rd call - half an hour on hold, same again but this time I begged the guy not to put me through to the manufacturer. He said the product was out of stock - took details and said they'd call me when they had one.

I wonder if they will ever call.

The 30 days in which I am legally entitled to a full refund is up tomorrow...

photome

Arthritic_Toe wrote: »

Blimey you're not wrong.
1st call to customer services. 20 mins on hold then spoke to someone who took no details from me but chatted for 5 mins and then just threw me back to the queue.
2nd call 20 mins later. Explained all the details again they agreed it should be exchanged but I just needed 'a code' from the manufacturer. They put me through to the manufacturers switchboard where the recorded message informed me that their offices are closed and only open Monday to Friday (this was 3pm Monday).
3rd call - half an hour on hold, same again but this time I begged the guy not to put me through to the manufacturer. He said the product was out of stock - took details and said they'd call me when they had one.

I wonder if they will ever call.

The 30 days in which I am legally entitled to a full refund is up tomorrow...

Can you get to a store and get it sorted there and then, not sure if they entertain internet orders though

Arthritic_Toe

photome wrote: »

Can you get to a store and get it sorted there and then, not sure if they entertain internet orders though

Nice idea but I can guess how that conversation would go.