Warning about Comet - open those sealed boxes

Linda_M_5

Did you know that if you purchase something, like an ipod, in a sealed box, for a present and when it’s opened it is scratched Comet (i.e. Durham branch and Head Office) will not give a replacement. When I say scratches I mean very bad scratches. I am obviously taking this further but am annoyed that I am being made out to be a liar!!! Comet have an obligation to customers as per the Sale of Goods act surely? So everyone.... Open those boxes up in the shop before you leave, even if it’s a present for someone else or you’ll get no replacement if it is damaged. I have been trying now for two weeks to get a replacement.

setmefree2

Hi Linda,

This is really annoying. I was once given a stereo as a gift from my hubby. He bought it from Currys - part of the same group I think - and it didn't work! I had to kick up a right stink just to get them to replace it - no compensation.Needless to say I never shopped there again. Keep going and good luck:money:

Linda_M_5

I am still trying.... the manager in the shop thinks I am a liar, that is what I believe. We asked her to exchange it as a goodwill gesture but she was really uncaring and matter-of-fact. I am taking this further with the Consumer people, Watchdog and the Managing Director. I don't want compensation just a new ipod classic!! Having said that it's more about her questioning my honesty, that's the issue now. I have also been advised by a lady who said she wouldn't leave the a store till she got her son's Nintendo changed. In the end they didn't lock her in and gave her a new one. Do we have to go to those lengths? Comet should realise that the honest customers they have will not use their store again. I would rather pay more and get a better service and will do in the future. I do not want others to be faced with this problem at the festive season when their children and partners open gifts, if they are damaged before being used then taken back to the store Comet say... tough luck!!!!! Please let everyone know.......

Blacksheep1979

Right lets get this straight you aren't in communication with the md and never will be - you may (still slim chance) get an answer from his pa. Best bet is to either as you pointed out make a hell of a fuss in the store outside the store - point out to other potential customers what happened to you but you run the risk of the police being called.

Best bet (in my opinion) is to write (recorded delivery) to head office stating what happened (with names of those involved) and request that they swap it out. If they refuse write again saying that unless they do it within a give time frame you will take them to the small claims court to recover your money. If they don't stick to your time frame then proceed as you said you would.

mustrum_ridcully

Contact your local trading standards office about this

Poppycat

Currys are not the same group, Linda its Currys and Dixons that are same group

setmefree2 wrote: »

Hi Linda,

He bought it from Currys - part of the same group I think

Linda_M_5

Thank you for your help everyone. I will definitely go to Curry's or Dixon's next time. I will write to the md and will pursue this in the small claims if I need. I really do not want the experience I have had at the Durham store to happen to anyone else. Manager is very uncaring and cold..... If that's their training I do not want to do business again with them The new kitchen appliances for my new kitchen in the new year will not be from Comet, now.... Thanks for all your help everyone. I'll keep you posted.

Blacksheep1979

As I said before there is no point trying to contact the md - he's not going to want to know, there'll be 10's if not 100's of people a week wanting to compakin to him.

JasonLVC

Firstly, I can see from the stores perspective that someone could have damaged this themselves and are trying to get a refund - which is a little unfair for the store to take the hit - not suggesting you've damaged it, but how do they know that?.

I disagree about not writing to the MD. Sure, he'll not respond personally but the point about doing so is that they cannot IGNORE you anymore as for the MD to do so reflects badly upon the organisation.

I've had issues with B&Q (sale mis-price), PCWorld (broken laptop), BT (broadband), Carphonewarehouse (cashback) and other big businesses. When you're getting fobbed off, a nice letter explaining the poor customer service, the lost 'faith' in the business and a please for assistance usually works wonders, certainly has for me...and then I never shop there again!.

I recommend in your letter that you suggest quite categorically that this branch of Comet are either selling returned stock as new (illegal) or their stock control systems are shot to bits and allowing broken stock to be sold to customers. There's enough ambiguity there for any MD not to want to take the risk that it'd go as far as Watchdog or the local press about them selling second hand gear this clsoe to Christmas.

Get in there and you'll get your result, just be prepared to wait as these things take some time.

Finally, a little tip - DO NOT BUY FROM COMET, CURRYS, PCWORLD ....EVER - they are known for their terrible terrible service - buy online or pay a few quid more and buy from an independant. Even Sainsburys sells iPods now.

JasonLVC

Managing Director is :- Mr Hugh Harvey

Address is :-

Comet Group plc
Comet House
Three Rivers Court
Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire,
WD3 1FX

Another cheeky tip is to somewhere in the letter to subtley mention that "as a shareholder, I am disappointed in the levels of service the company is offering to its customers".

roddydogs

JasonLVC wrote: »

Firstly, I can see from the stores perspective that someone could have damaged this themselves and are trying to get a refund - which is a little unfair for the store to take the hit - not suggesting you've damaged it, but how do they know that?.

I disagree about not writing to the MD. Sure, he'll not respond personally but the point about doing so is that they cannot IGNORE you anymore as for the MD to do so reflects badly upon the organisation.

I've had issues with B&Q (sale mis-price), PCWorld (broken laptop), BT (broadband), Carphonewarehouse (cashback) and other big businesses. When you're getting fobbed off, a nice letter explaining the poor customer service, the lost 'faith' in the business and a please for assistance usually works wonders, certainly has for me...and then I never shop there again!.

I recommend in your letter that you suggest quite categorically that this branch of Comet are either selling returned stock as new (illegal) or their stock control systems are shot to bits and allowing broken stock to be sold to customers. There's enough ambiguity there for any MD not to want to take the risk that it'd go as far as Watchdog or the local press about them selling second hand gear this clsoe to Christmas.

Get in there and you'll get your result, just be prepared to wait as these things take some time.

Finally, a little tip - DO NOT BUY FROM COMET, CURRYS, PCWORLD ....EVER - they are known for their terrible terrible service - buy online or pay a few quid more and buy from an independant. Even Sainsburys sells iPods now.

How on earth does buying online help? you then have the problem that you have to return by Post/courier:rolleyes: