Painted signage on gas hob

DoaM

It certainly doesn't mean it's not "fit for purpose" ... it still works as a hob. It may mean it's not of suitable quality taking into account the price paid, but until the OP says what it is and how much it cost we can only guess.

mattyprice4004

Mickey666 said:

shaun_from_Africa said:

Mickey666 said:

Name and shame!

Ovens/Hobs are supposed to be durable items so having anything wearing off within two years is very poor design & manufacture.

I'm sure stickers or a marker pen would solve the problem but why should consumers have to put up with such cr@ppy products in the first place?  Forget about company-imposed warranties, just write to the company and complain that their product is not fit for purpose.  Post on their facebook page, their twitter feed (if they have them) and anywhere else where it's legitimate, with photo evidence if possible.  Just stick to the indisputable facts.

It might be that the wrong type of cleaning product has been used or too much pressure applied when cleaning the decals.
Whatever the reason, to try claiming that the hob is not fit for purpose is totally the wrong way to proceed.
Not fit for purpose means that the hob can't be used as a hob, something that is obviously not the case as the OP is still using it.
The OP might have a claim in that the hob isn't durable (but durability can take into account the price paid so if it was a fairly cheap appliance, 2 years for the decals to fade may well be acceptable) but this is totally different to fitness for purpose.

Poor excuses.  Firstly, I would dispute that the hob can be safely used as a hob without the decals - that’s presumably why they are there in the first place.  Of course you could use the hob without the decals if you really wanted, but why on Earth should you have to?   Secondly, as a durable kitchen appliance it is reasonable to assume it will endure many fairly aggressive cleaning cycles during its lifetime.  Have you never had anything spill over and burn on a hob?.
I agree that durability and price can be inter-dependent, though I’d still argue that 2 years for a kitchen appliance is unacceptable unless they were practically giving the things away.  But that’s why I suggested the OP name and shame, then we’d have a better idea of the expected ‘quality’ based on the price-positioning.

If you can’t safely use a hob you’ve owned for 2 years because a bit of paints rubs off, you’re probably not safe to be using a hob at all! 

unholyangel

Mickey666 said:

This place is hysterical

OP asks for advice about what is unquestionably a poor quality 'durable' kitchen appliance and most replies are trying to defend the manufacturer by pretending it's ok if the lettering rubs off after two years!  No wonder some manufacturers cut corners if that's the sort of undemanding customers out there.

No, we just know its better to pick your battles as courts take a dim view on claims based on principle over trivial matters. 

Plus as I mentioned, with it being over 6 months the burden of proof would be on the OP - to prove the goods inherently failed to conform to contract and it was not the result of wear & tear or misuse. You want to incur costs on those inspections with no guarantee of a favourable outcome when the "fault" is cosmetic (and minor at that)?

Further to that, durability means that the goods last - not that they remain aesthetically the same. But a specific level of durability is not a requirement as such. Rather the requirement is that the goods must be of satisfactory quality - and goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard of a reasonable person would consider satisfactory given the description, price & other relevant info. Durability is one aspect of quality - but remember,it doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to meet the standard of a reasonable person taking account of description, price or public statements made by the trader or producer. 

But let's see how the OP gets on with the manufacturer first before going into that level of complexity over a few markings. 

Hermione_Granger

Mickey666 said:

This place is hysterical

OP asks for advice about what is unquestionably a poor quality 'durable' kitchen appliance and most replies are trying to defend the manufacturer by pretending it's ok if the lettering rubs off after two years!  No wonder some manufacturers cut corners if that's the sort of undemanding customers out there.

Or maybe it's just that the people who have responded are realists and are saying how it is rather that how you would like it to be.

unholyangel

Mickey666 said:

Who mentioned anything about going to court?  You're the first one to suggest that.  Personally, I wouldn't bother with the courts.  If I didn't get a satisfactory response from the manufacturer, I'd use social media to advertise the facts of the matter as widely as possible, ie decals wearing off a 'durable' kitchen appliance within two years.  I wouldn't even bother to pass comment on whether it's acceptable or not, I'd just relate the facts and let people decide for themselves.  After all, you can't be sued for telling the truth

"Durability is one aspect of quality - but remember, it doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to meet the standard of a reasonable person taking account of description, price or public statements made by the trader or producer. "

I agree with that but I (and the OP) am suggesting that decals wearing off a kitchen appliance within two years means that it DOES NOT meet the standard of a reasonable person.  I accept that that's a subjective opinion and if that makes me 'unreasonable' then so be it, I must have higher standards than most, judging by the replies to this thread.

So how would posting on social media help the OP get a resolution when the manufacturer has already stated their position is that it's wear & tear? 

Or were you not trying to find enforceable solutions to the OP's problem and just offering moral indignation as a show of support? We are the consumer rights board, so regular posters on here tend to answer queries based on consumer rights & the law. Hence the replies given.

LABMAN

Replacement cooker decals are £2-£3 delivered on ebay...the phrase you choose your battles has never been more appropriate.

[Deleted User]

Mickey666 said: I'd use social media to advertise the facts of the matter as widely as possible, ie decals wearing off a 'durable' kitchen appliance within two years.  

But how would doing this obtain a satisfactory resolution for the OP? 

Ranting about it on social media might "warn" others and may well be something the manufacturer does not wish to tolerate. As pointed out, though, replacement decals are cheap as chips and so hardly worth the effort of doing as you've suggested. 

Regardless, I fully expect the earlier suggestion of simply requesting some new ones from the manufacturer will be effective. Failing that, simply buying  some would seem the most expedient option. 

DoaM

unholyangel said:

We are the consumer rights board,

Exactly ... Consumer Rights not Consumer Wants.

Aylesbury_Duck

Mickey666 said:

You’re all bonkers and deserve to be palmed off with poor quality products.  

I suppose that's a refreshing change from "You must all work for the oven manufacturer!!!!!"

shaun_from_Africa

Mickey666 said:

Since when did ‘consumer wants’ cease to be important?

They may be important in in the right place and at the right time but "consumer wants" are not important or relevant on a "consumer rights" forum.