SECTION 75 CHARGEBACK - REQUIREMENT FOR INDEPENDENT EXPERT

happy_hazelnuts

yes i was referring to going to the fos and supplying photos to them... sorry for confusion.

Galloform

I have replied saying I believe their request is unreasonable, stating the obvious fact that the detritus should not be embedded within vinyl and groove. I'll see what they have to say but will reluctantly comply if they insist upon independent report. Did I see I can add the cost of any report to the claim ?
I can't help but think they are attempting to get me to withdraw, something I might more easily convey were you privy to the complete email string. The whole process has been quite painful with clear misunderstanding and miscommunication on their part. I even received a "secure" email last week addressed to a different client quoting a different claim number, name and sum of money !
Thanks for everybody's comments. I'll let you know how I get on     

Sandtree

I assume this stuff is actually embedded in the vinyl itself and not just sitting in the grove and so can be brushed out? Is that clearly visible from the photos you provided as I imagine that would be hard to see.

Yes, if your claim is successful you can add any reasonable costs, such as the report, into the claim. Alternatively if you believe your photos are clear enough you can go down the complaint route and escalate to FOS if you are unhappy with their final response.

Galloform

Yes, absolutely embedded. One photo shows this exceptionally clearly. I can't see if it's possible to upload a photo here - so I guess I can't. The vinyl itself is white/opaque. Some small back foreign bodies can actually be seen within the vinyl which although a fault, does not affect playback. Some detritus however does protrude into the playback groove and it's these which prevent the stylus from tracking properly. I have hand cleaners and a record cleaning machine - nothing will shift them. The detritus was likely sandwiched between the master disc and plastic vinyl at manufacture. The vinyl is steamed to aid in the stamping process and when it cooled, the foreign bodies were embedded permanently

happy_hazelnuts

Well as I said previously you can go to the f o s having got a Deadlock letter from your credit card company and send them the photos and hopefully they will side with you

Obviously the other alternative is to provide the credit card company with an independent report but my own view is that they are trying it on since I accept what you say about the damage being obvious from the photos

happy_hazelnuts

P.s. maybe I am stating the obvious but your next step is to either a) provide the credit card company with an independent report or b) raise a complaint with the credit card company with a view to going to the ombudsman

dazza.mk

Under the Consumer Rights Act (assuming you're using Section 75 to claim against this) within the first 6 month the fault was assumed to be there at manufacture unless the retailer proves otherwise. How long has it been since purchase, may still need to go to an expert but the onus would be on them to arrange and prove you had damaged it rather than you to arrange and prove it was flawed