Rules on a refund for a laptop from Argos - opened but not used?

chrisgeller

Hi,
Just bought a laptop from Argos, but don't like the look of it. I have almost all the packaging (just the thing film missing) - do you know if they'll issue a refund if I haven't used it? How many days do I have?

Aylesbury_Duck

Online purchase?  If so, you have 14 days from receipt.

In store?  Depends what their policy is, but you have no automatic consumer right to a change of mind return.

neilmcl

As above, was this an online only purchase and to what extent have you been using it? When exactly did you buy it?

chrisgeller

It's an online purchase. Bought 2nd November, arrived on the 5th

Aylesbury_Duck

Then you are able to return it because it was a distance sale and you are well within 14 days of receipt.

If you haven't done anything beyond what would be considered reasonable inspection (the same you'd be able to do in a shop, for example) then they should refund you.  If you had used it, installed software, run updates, etc then it would be a slightly different story.

chrisgeller

I suppose in that case it could just be factory reset anyway?

Aylesbury_Duck

chrisgeller said:

I suppose in that case it could just be factory reset anyway?

The question you have to ask yourself is: Would you be happy paying full price for a laptop that was pre-owned and factory reset after goodness knows what was installed/viewed on it?  A factory reset doesn't completely return it to unused condition.  

ToxicWomble

So did you or did you not use it ?

As above

If you just switched it on and didn’t install or connect anything that would imo still fall within the realms of what you could inspect in a shop.

Fosterdog

chrisgeller said:

I suppose in that case it could just be factory reset anyway?

If you value your personal information and any data you've put on there then don't just rely on a factory reset, if it were that simple to fully erase your data police and criminals would be unable to access it they do it all the time, so do data recovery companies if people accidentally factory reset computers.

To resell a used computer as new it should have to go through an additional process (Blancco wiping, other companies are available) before it is ready for resale. If you lie about having used it they won't carry out this extra process and it leaves you open to someone being able to access your information. If you are honest about it then if they accept the return they should carry this out before reselling but it takes time and costs money that is likely to be deducted from your refund. Alternatively they could fit a new hard drive but again 5hat comes at a cost you should bear.

cymruchris

If you took it out of the box - looked at it - didn’t like it - put it back in the box - you’d no doubt get a refund. 

If you took it out of the box - turned it on - looked at the specs - connected to the internet - Installed a browser - didn’t like it - deleted the browser - reset the laptop - turned it off - put it back in the box - lost some of the display packaging - you probably won’t get a refund.