Argos Returns Nightmare

tmeah7

Argos has been good in the past when it came to returns which was key selling point but no more! Recently it has become nothing but a nightmare.

Purchased an expensive Samsung phone just before lockdown with a supposed two year guarantee. The screen stopped working and sim card problems developed after only two weeks.

Could't return it within the 30 days returns policy because of the lockdown and Argos was closed anyway as a non essential store. 

Recently visited a store to try to get a replacement phone from them because the phone was unusable. They verified the fault but wouldn't provide a replacement or refund. Apparently only repair was available as it has been less than 6 months but more than 30 days.
But first I had to jump through hoops and phone the Samsung helpdesk and get a fault number.  Spoke to Samsung who troubleshooted and gave an Id. Told me I could use the ID to get a replacement or refund if I wanted. 

Took time out to return to the store another day armed with the ID. However bizarrely staff at store now told me they also had to phone Samsung to verify the Id and would contact me once they’d done so.

So I would need to make another trip to store in a busy Sainsburys with no signs of masks from anyone including Argos staff.

The following day the branch contacted me to say they had verified the Id  and could now arrange a repair and I had to attend the store and give them the phone. No replacement or refund! Take it or lump it despite what Samsung had said!

Also fixing the phone would take 21 days.They could have taken the phone for repair on my first visit if repair was the only option. They examined the phone thoroughly and could see the fault for themselves. Why did they need me to contact Samsung and waste my time making multiple store visits?

I contacted the head office but no help from them.

Needless to say I won’t be buying from this outfit again.

Aylesbury_Duck

Cool story, bro'.

Sandtree

Samsung cannot tell you what the merchant has to do... they aren't a legal advice line.

If Samsung are willing to replace it rather than repair why not deal with them instead if that's what you would prefer?

Whilst I am sure MPs are hoping businesses apply common sense to the best of my knowledge no legislation has been passed to legally extend timelines due to lockdown and rights have almost always been based on calendar days rather than working days.

JJ_Egan

What are you asking re consumer rights .Or should this be in Vents ??

masks are not compulsory .

tmeah7

Normally Argos replace the phone or refund in situation such as this. Now it seems that they are just doing the minimum legally required. If this is the case no reason to purchase from them again and just go for the cheapest seller.

tmeah7

Looks like I escaped lightly. This man had the police called on him because he also tried to return a faulty Samsung phone. He recorded the exchange in the video below. Watch how the Argos staff member treats him and then calls the police on him when she herself was the agressor. What a joke!

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18563661.argos-call-police-man-tried-return-faulty-phone/

https://youtu.be/rEcpD3WILI4

Aylesbury_Duck

We get it, you don't like Argos.

Bet you're back there buying something the minute it's cheaper than anywhere else, though.