Costco & Warranty

jcocker

I bought an item from them just under a year ago that came with a 1 year warranty.

Unfortunately it failed a few days ago, luckily just before the warranty expired.

For those unfamiliar with them, they are a member's club-type shop - you need to hold a member's card that is renewed annually to be able to shop there - £35/year. My card expired a few months ago, and I only tend to renew the next time I shop there.

I took the faulty item back today for a refund (they no longer stock them).

I was informed by the CS desk and the shop manager that they were unable to refund me because I am no longer a member and that I would need to renew my membership with them before they could do that. They also mentioned that this was mentioned in their membership's T&C’s. I refused on a matter of principal, and also because I did not wish to renew my membership now.

Am I mistaken in thinking that they were/are in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015?   

 

Any thought as to what to do next?  Was thinking about a call to their head office and hope that they would see sense.

powerful_Rogue

jcocker said:

I bought an item from them just under a year ago that came with a 1 year warranty.

Unfortunately it failed a few days ago, luckily just before the warranty expired.

For those unfamiliar with them, they are a member's club-type shop - you need to hold a member's card that is renewed annually to be able to shop there - £35/year. My card expired a few months ago, and I only tend to renew the next time I shop there.

I took the faulty item back today for a refund (they no longer stock them).

I was informed by the CS desk and the shop manager that they were unable to refund me because I am no longer a member and that I would need to renew my membership with them before they could do that. They also mentioned that this was mentioned in their membership's T&C’s. I refused on a matter of principal, and also because I did not wish to renew my membership now.

Am I mistaken in thinking that they were/are in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015?   

 

Any thought as to what to do next?  Was thinking about a call to their head office and hope that they would see sense.

From a quick look online, Warranty support relies upon a valid membership.

If you're claiming under their warranty, then they can set the terms. What do the warranty terms say about membership?

If you're claiming under the Consumer Rights Act, as it's over 6 months, they can ask you to evidence via a report that the item was inherently faulty when purchased.

Warranty + CRA are two completely different things.

jcocker

powerful_Rogue said:

From a quick look online, Warranty support relies upon a valid membership.

If you're claiming under their warranty, then they can set the terms. What do the warranty terms say about membership?

If you're claiming under the Consumer Rights Act, as it's over 6 months, they can ask you to evidence via a report that the item was inherently faulty when purchased.

Warranty + CRA are two completely different things.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

The warranty if from the manufacturer, they simply handle it on their behalf. I know that because I'd phoned the shop before travelling there and they asked me to bring everything that was in the box with me when I bought it since the manufacturer would not accept it without them.

theonlywayisup

As above, the warranty terms are set by the provider of said warranty and are nothing to do with CRA.  If you wish to pursue CRA then you will need to provide a report showing the item was inherently faulty.  The report is required as the item is over 6 months since purchase and the balance of evidence lies with you to provide it. 

It may just be easier to sign back up to Costco and utilise the warranty, or if it is as you suggest, you go back to the manufacturer themselves and hope that you are within time (as you haven't presented to them within time perhaps) and that you have kept to their T&C.