Argos currently unwilling to fulfil my purchase, where do I stand?

MrTitan

On the 21st March This year I purchased an Xbox one/gears of war 5 bundle console from Argos instore. The console came with a “free” headset offer (£9.99 value). I reserved the console and headset online, once I received the reservation email the order was split into 2 parts and I had 2 reservation numbers one for console/game and 1 for headset. Part 1 was Xbox and game bundle, ready to collect that day 21st March. Headset was out of stock, ready to collect 5 days later (they didn’t tell me this before I reserved items). I purchased the items on my Argos card. I went to the store and picked up console/game with the intention of returning 5 days later for the headset. As we now know, the stores closed around 23rd March and I have been unable to collect the headset.

I do realise what is happening with Covid, but after 2 months (which I thought was a fair amount of time)  and as stores remain closed I contacted Argos chat requesting they post a headset out to me (they are in stock for home delivery) or as an alternative I would accept a £10 gift voucher (Value of headset ) and I could order a headset from another supplier.

Argos response was that I go to the store which is closed to to Covid, buy another headset from Argos and then get a refund when the store opens? Then I was told the headset was actually a free Item so no payment was taken  and it was also subject to availability and that if I took my receipt to the store they would be able to honour that for me. I repeated to them that the store store couldn’t honour that as the store remains closed. 

I was then told I could seek legal advice and that I could contact Argos card services.

The way I see things is that Argos have been understandably unable to fulfil my order (due to virus) but now seem adamant that they will not be fulfilling my purchase until stores open and that is if they are still selling the headset by that time.

Has anyone any thoughts?

thanks for making it this far.

[Deleted User]

I think that they are correct in that it was a "free" add on, with Ts & Cs which will have stated "subject to availability", it is not available, so I would guess that you have two choices, either wait for the store to reopen and get the headset, or do nothing and not get the headset. If you had paid for the headset then they could refund you, but as it is free they are unable to refund free. 

bradders1983

Argos have plenty of stores open (the ones inside Sainsburys). Cant they just allow you to get one from one of those?

MrTitan

Nearest open Sainsbury’s/Argos 50 miles away. So it looks like I will have to wait.

I am kinda surprised Argos have been so unwilling to help. I feel a bit shafted/seems a bit mean on their behalf that they won’t post a headset out. Thanks for the replies.

bradders1983

Wouldnt mind a 100 mile return drive at the moment, treat yourself 🤣

poppy12345

They maybe allowed to open from 1st June, if you live in England. That's just 10 days from now.

MrTitan

Thanks poppy I’m in Northern Ireland.