Argos refusing to refund

IrishRose12

I need some advice please before I end up cracking up.
4 weeks ago my washing died.  Ordered an new one to include installation and recycling the old one from Argos the weekend before lockdown was announced.  Chose to have it delivered on March 27th the first available date.
Few days later lockdown was announced, the following morning Argos sent a text to say delivery would still be on the 27th, but they were refunding the installation and recycling part of the deal.  Fair enough, arranged for someone to come and install it when it arrived. 
Thursday morning I received a text saying delivery would be the following day, but if anyone in the house was self isolating with symptoms to contact them on given phone number.  No problems here so left that that.
Friday morning - text to say delivery would be arriving today beween 7am and 7pm and the driver would ring an hour beforehand.  Again no concerns so far.   Come 6.15 that evening still no phone call so I start calling the number provided in the numerous texts.  Finally got through to someone via facebook at 7pm and explained what was happening.  Person said oh it wasnt due to be delivered today.  Ahh.... yes it was, I chose today, email and numerous texts confirm it!
Person said no, it was arriving in the country today, the carrier will contact you next week to arrange delivery????
Queue me stating that's not what I paid for,  not what was stated in the terms and conditions, had I known this the purchase wouldn't have been made at all.
I then cancelled the order, this and was given details on where to lodge a formal complaint for false advertising.  Person told me the order had been cancelled and money would be refunded within 3-5 days
2 weeks later my credit card bill comes in and no refund.  Finally get through today to them and they have said refund wont be given until the get the machine back from the carrier.  They've had no word from them to say that the machine wasnt needed, and they've also told me that customers in the BT area are informed of procedure in an email AFTER purchasing the item.  Well I got no notifications regarding this, and even if I did, am I not supposed to be told that BEFORE going ahead with the purchase?

End result tonight was I've told them its theft of money, where the machine is is not mybproblem as I cancelled the order on 27th March and it was up to them to inform the carrier.
I've a manager allegedly phoning me in the morning as conveniently after the manager said they couldn't issue my refund tonight, he wouldn't come near the phone. 

Can anyone please advise me on where I go from here or what my rights are? In my annoyance tonight I did say I would take legal advice if I need to.  We're not talking a few pounds like, it's over £200 that needs refunded. That's not to mention the interest that will be added to the bill as in refuse to pay for something I dont have, let alone the fact I've to pay for the washing machine I bought from another company.  

Im sorry for the long story,  Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Aylesbury_Duck

If you've cancelled the order, you're owed a refund, it's as simple as that. 

Forget interest.  What would 4 weeks' interest on £200 amount to?  Something like 20 pence if you stuck it in a decent savings account. 

IrishRose12

I'm talking credit card interest. 

My problem is they are refusing to give the refund until they hear back from the delivery company allegedly.  They didn't say this when I cancelled, infact was told 3-5 days for the refund.   It's literally lie after lie from them and changing the terms anytime I've contacted them.  

davidmcn

IrishRose12 said:

I'm talking credit card interest.

You can avoid that by paying the bill, it doesn't prejudice your right to a refund.

Aylesbury_Duck

Credit card interest is discretionary.  You could pay the balance off to avoid it, and even at credit card APR what's the amount in question?

Anyway, interest aside, you can only keep pushing for the refund.  You cancelled the order so I don't see why thy have to wait for the machine to get back to them.  You never had it to return it.  Your credit card company will probably be reluctant to act if a refund has already been promised so you'll probably just have to wait I'm afraid.

Legal action will take months.

photome

Pay your credit card bill to avoid interest and keep chasing, maybe use social media

JReacher1

You’ll get the refund soon. It’s unprecedented times so just be a bit patient. 

Argos refund when the item is returned to them. The item is currently with the carrier and when it arrives back at Argos you’ll get a refund. 

Ectophile

Since it was paid by credit card, the other alternative is to contact the credit card company and ask them for the refund.

Geeezeee

Recycling this thread but for a completely different product.
On 7 November 2020 I bought a Dualit 4 slot toaster from Argos for £85.  The two slots on the right no longer work.  This morning I returned the toaster to Argos with the receipt seeking a replacement.  They said as it's outside their 30 day return policy I need to contact Dualit who will repair or replace at their discretion.  Surely this can't be right can it?  In effect they are absolving all responsibility for it.  

Richard_T_

As far s i know Argos have two return channels:

 the 30 day refund/money back

 and the stuff thats covered under whatever sale of goods is called which should give you more rights, the contract of sale s with Argos to supply goods that are fit for purpose

sheramber

Argos are entitled to establish it is faulty and not misuse.
To do that it would have to sent back to the manufacturer as they do not have engineers to do it.
Save time and hassle by contacting the manufacturer yourself.