Stuffed over by a shop assistant - Manager refuses to budge (Currys)

Bantu

First off I would Llike to say hello to the good folks of money saving expert.
I have saved many a penny and pound using tip from here, including credit card deals loans etc. but never had the need to post... unfortunately now i do

I will try and keep this very concise.

I bought a Samsung 40" HDTV from Currys after a shop assistant confirmed that the model in question is 1080P.
When I got home I unpacked the TV, hooked it up to my HTPC, and I realised it was only 1080i (720p) when i set the GFX card resolution.
I wanted to make sure that the TV was in fact 1080i by checking up on it online and to my horror, this model was £220 cheaper at Dixons!

I went back to the store the following day, wanting to come to an amicable arrangement. I asked the store manager if he could price match and if now, if I can bring the TV in for a refund (since I was miss-sold).

I was refused for both!
I can swallow that they don't price match, but because I took it out of the box, and want to take it back the very next day be refused!

Long story short, I tried to go via customer services who tried their best (call centre girl was a star) but in the end, the decision lay with the hard headed store manager.

When I spoke to the store, they basically said I'm a liar, becuase the store clerk in question is their most knowledable clerk, and would never have said that, because Currys do not sell 40" 1080P hdtv's.
I was hung up on when I contested this (i did not swear nor did I shout).
Went to Currys online and found a 1080P model off the bat.

What else can I do, I feel Royally screwed over.
I never ever buy retail anymore, and the one time in years I decide to buy something off the high-street, this happens ... £220 worse off with an inferior product.


£850 down the drain, or is there something I can do?

Many thanks!

alwaysonthego_2

I wouldring consumer direct or contact trading standards. It does seem you were mis-sold the tv. please look at this link it seems a similar situation to your http://www.avforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-303335.html

sujac

Could you try and take it back to another branch if you got customer services to call ahead and arrange it for you with the store manager.

alwaysonthego_2

or you could take it back and refuse to budge from the store till they offer you a suitable remedy .

p.s many moona ago I was a sa at currys and a customer did a similar thing and the manager offered to refund him just to get rid

Blacksheep1979

Companies tend to take more notice when you write to them especially recorded delivery. Did you have anyone with you when you bought the TV?

missile

It is a bit late for OP, but for the benefit of others>

I would never relly on what the store assistant says. Very few are experts, they are paid to sell. Do some research BEFORE you go shopping and check what it says on the box BEFORE you buy.

If you do need advice and want after sales service, then go to a specialist Audio Visual shop, not a "stack em high sell em cheap" store like Curries.

nibs

Currys do sell a samsung hd 1080p model instore as I was going to buy it there until I found it in costco for £300 cheaper!
You have been mis sold the tv as what you were sold wasn't what you asked for and you should insist on a refund. Put everything in writing if you have no luck in store or try www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Good luck

bloggie

I had issue with currys when digital tv was being talked about a few years ago. I bought a very expensive tv and video, supposedly 'digital ready'. two years later, when digital actually started to broadcast adn the boxes were available, we realised that we had been lied to. Not misold, but actually lied to.
I went to the original store and created a rather loud (but not angry or swearing)discussion on how wrong this was, wether it was two days or two years down the line.
After I insisted that they would indeed take the equiptment back and refund me in full at the cost of that time and that I would not leave it at that and they were completely at fault for lying, the shop manager gave me (priced then at £300) a brand spanking digital box to sort me out.

moral of my story is, don't get mad at them, state quite loudly and clearly that you are indeed returning the goods and expecting a full refund. (then hopefully trotting across to the other shop and getting the proper tv cheaper) it can work, I proved it. stick to your guns. good luck.

cookie_monster

I agree, best make a loud but constructive complaint in person. In my case I was expecting a delivery of some large kitchen items which didn't turn up, went into the store and spoke to the manager and after about 30minutes of healthy debate and to threaten to cancel my order he managed to upgrade the washing machine to a more expensive model free of charge.

mustrum_ridcully

Bantu, in case you don't know Dixons no longer have high street stores, so what you're seeing is the online price.

About the problem, phone up your local trading standards and see what advice / assistance they can give you. Another option is to go to the store and tell them in no uncertain terms that you will get trading standards involved unless they sort the problem.

Bantu

Cheers for the replies!
I called around and found some good advise.
I will be writing a letter to the regional manager and complaints dept.
If I do not get a satisfactory reply in 14 days, I do intend to take it to small claims court under the misrepresentation act of 1967 and sale of goods act.

Yes it's my word against his, however
http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/guides_to/law_goods.shtml

"As described refers to any advert or verbal description made by the trader."

"Fit for purpose covers not only the obvious purpose of an item but any purpose you queried and were given assurances about by the trader."

edit: my wife was with me, but she did not hear this conversation, was only me and the salesman