CEX item faulty/not as described

Boudica78

Hello lovely people!
I bought an MP3 player from CEX website at the beginning of January (so it's secondhand). I boguht it specifically because I wanted to be able to download podcasts directly onto it. My feeling is it's too old and web protocols have changed as I can't get that function to work (or any websites other than google. Or the youtube "app" on there). They've said they only test mp3 players for playing and transferring music and "it might be faulty. Bring it in to a store within two weeks after reopening" Sony have very kindly suggested a few ideas but it's still not playing ball.

Surely I'm entitled to post it back at their expense as faulty/not as described? I really don't want to wait until stores reopen (since it's looking like English schools aren't going to be back for at least another month) and I don't want to do or ask anyone to do anything non-essential until well after that..

Thank you!

Peter999_2

Did it say in the description that it could play podcasts on it?   or did it just say it could play MP3s?

George_Michael

Peter999_2 said:

Did it say in the description that it could play podcasts on it?   or did it just say it could play MP3s?

As you purchased it from a website, did you receive any information regarding your 14 day right to cancel the purchase?
If not, this right still exists as you have 14 days from when you are first given this info. If they did notify you of this right (and it should have been in a durable format such as an e-mail or paperwork) then just because the player won't accept podcasts doesn't mean that it is faulty, simply that it's not suitable for the purpose for which you need it.

There are plenty of podcast to MP3 conversion programs available and if you have a computer, you could look into getting one of these.

Boudica78

Peter - Good point! I can't remember what the specific one I bought said, but two listed now do say you can download podcasts, browse the web, go to youtube.
George - in the T&Cs it says you can return it (at your expense) no quibble. Yes, I think perhaps more "not as described" rather than faulty.
And yes, I know I can do it via my computer but I specifically chose one where I didn't have that hassle.

mattyprice4004

It sounds like you didn't research what protocols the MP3 player could handle before buying - so not really their problem to be honest. 
Things change over time - if you're buying something that's older than 'this generation' you need to do your homework before purchase. I think you need to suck up the cost of postage as you didn't do this. 

MattMattMattUK

A "podcast" is not a specific file type, it can be in various file formats, indeed it is now a meaningless term as far as anything technical is concerned, it ranges from a downloadable audio file through to an online stream. If you downloaded podcasts as MP3 files then they would work, if you tried to use Spotify's podcast service it would not, but that does not mean that podcasts are not downloadable to the device. It is not faulty/not as described, it is just an unfortunate case of not understanding what you are buying.

As you bought online you have the online cooling off period of 14 days as mentioned above. As they have already agreed that you can return the item for free to a store when they reopen that would appear to be reasonable. As I understand it they have to accept the return and refund you in full, but perhaps, in the middle of a pandemic a level of flexibility on your part might be reasonable, especially if that flexibility costs you nothing.