Argos breaking consumer rights act

happyman70

I bought a television from Argos but it did not fit. It was a little too big and i needed something that was three inches smaller. This is because the stand it comes with is bigger than my old tv.
When i took back the TV to Argos they said they would not take it back because i had opened the box. Well obviously i have opened the box. They said it is there strict policy that if a box has been opened then they will not swap, exchange, or refund. I was shocked.

I contacted consumer rights helpline who said it is breaking my consumer rights not to exchange or refund me. But Argos are not interested. I am seeing lots of complaints on Twitter about Argos and them breaking consumer rights act. So, if they continue to do this and Trading Standards are aware they are breaking people's consumer rights, then why is no one including Trading Standards, govt departments looking into this.

Swoosh84

Not suiting your needs is not usually covered under consumer rights, not being accurately described does. Was the size listed on the website accurately?

Based on your post, there is very little evidence to suggest your rights have been broken. Was it purchased online? If so, when? Bottom line, if you purchased goods directly in store and they are in perfect working order then Argos have done nothing wrong and are under no obligation to accept a return.

 

Diamandis

If you bought in store you dont have the right to return, if you bought online then you can cancel within 14 days.

flashg67

As above, if bought online, you can open / inspect the goods and still return within 14 days, otherwise I can't see what right to return you have.
The TV isn't faulty and matches its description. There is some onus on the purchaser to check before purchase - is the stand size not listed, or searchable elsewhere? Argos have a Q&A for items so you could have checked before purchase

pinkshoes

happyman70 said:

I bought a television from Argos but it did not fit. It was a little too big and i needed something that was three inches smaller. This is because the stand it comes with is bigger than my old tv.
When i took back the TV to Argos they said they would not take it back because i had opened the box. Well obviously i have opened the box. They said it is there strict policy that if a box has been opened then they will not swap, exchange, or refund. I was shocked.

I contacted consumer rights helpline who said it is breaking my consumer rights not to exchange or refund me. But Argos are not interested. I am seeing lots of complaints on Twitter about Argos and them breaking consumer rights act. So, if they continue to do this and Trading Standards are aware they are breaking people's consumer rights, then why is no one including Trading Standards, govt departments looking into this.

Your use of the phrase "took it back to Argos" tells me you bought it from a store rather than online? If this is the case, then under consumer rights, you are NOT entitled to a refund or exchange, and anything they or other shops offer for in  store purchases is a good will gesture and not a right. 

If you purchased online however, then you can return it at your own cost for a full refund (assuming you haven't turned it on or anything). 

On every TV description for Argos it says:

• Size of TV H64.37, W111.58, D5.95cm.
• Size of TV with stand: H71.86, W111.58, D25.02cm.

So the full dimensions would have been available to you at the point of purchase and before.

flashg67

Just a thought, there are after market 'universal' stands you can buy that use the VESA fixings on the back of any TV which might solve your problem. Example - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372701725365?

mattyprice4004

Which part specifically are they breaking? 
Clue: they're not breaking any of it if you bought it in store as your story implies. 
In future measuring the space where things go before purchase will probably save you a headache or two. 

The_Fat_Controller

Three inches is hardly a little bit.
Argos are correct, you are not entitled to a refund.

paulttt

The_Fat_Controller said:

Three inches is hardly a little bit.
Argos are correct, you are not entitled to a refund.

My wife would beg to differ. 

theonlywayisup

happyman70 said:

I contacted consumer rights helpline 

Can you share the number?  

Undervalued

Just a moment guys (but please tell why if I am wrong).....

Buying in a catalogue shop like Argos is surely more like buying online / distance selling / click and collect?

Did the OP have an opportunity to inspect the goods in store if he had wanted to? Or, was his only option to fill in the catalogue number and collect a sealed package?

If the latter then surely he has the same rights as buying online which is to reasonably inspect the goods when he gets home (to the extent that he could in a normal retail shop) and return them for a refund if he is unhappy?