Simple living in the country - back to basics

Cheery_Daff

Thanks all 😊

I see from reading Martin's SAD FART article that it is in fact the responsibility of the retailer rather than the manufacturer to put things right 🤔 I did actually contact the retailer (Boots kitchen appliances) first - they (as Martin suggests they might), told me to contact the manufacturer (Smeg) because it was still under warranty (but, as we've seen, warranty doesn't cover 'cosmetic').

So I'm going to start by going back to Boots, and quoting the Consumer Rights Act back at them. Might copy in Smeg as well just for the sake of it. 

I've also realised I didn't actually ask for anything or suggest the response I wanted - I hadn't thought they'd do anything, so was just seeing what they suggested out of good will. However, now I know that Smeg has authorised repairers (which they suggested I use at my own cost), I think I'll be suggesting to Boots that they arrange for repair/replacement 🙄

Yawn.

Anyway, I'll get that email sent today. Also on the list for today:

* ring docs to check if I can have last prescription on repeat without another appointment
* pop out to get Mr Cheery at least one birthday present
* get another row scythed
* spend at least an hour elsewhere in the garden
* do some washing and get it out on the line
* make some food to take with us on visit to see friends - chickpea stew, peanut biscuit things, maybe a salad.
* pack stuff so we can leave fairly early on Thursday
* write a big note to put the bins out before we go! 😂

And in vague order...

9-10.30 - PREP
* washing on
* breakfast
* second coat of nail varnish 😂
* ring docs
* write card to post
* email Boots
* washing hung up (bit of garden time if I'm done before it's finished)

10.30-12.30 FORAGING FOR PRESENTS
* get anything else we need for trip while I'm out too

12.30-2 - LUNCH
* leisurely one in the garden sunshine, I think 😊

2-6 GARDEN
* scythe another row
* water greenhouse
* mulch other apple trees
* rescue rhubarb (don't even know if it's alive under all the nettles 🙄)
* bit of weeding in the front garden/pots

EVE - cooking and packing, and a nice early night

Mr Cheery wasn't feeling very well yesterday evening - I'm hoping that's just a late night and a bit too much booze the night before, rather than anything that might interfere with our holiday plans 🙄 I slept in the spare room to give him room to be restless so I've not seen him yet...

Right, best get on with that list!

EssexHebridean

Play on the angle of "it may well still function, but it's no longer possible to keep it clean properly therefore it is unhygienic and will need replacing" perhaps? Might the Resolver tool help I wonder - I know it's intended for dispute resolution so worth a look.

Cheery_Daff

Response from Boots already, and a darn cheeky one 😠

I am so sorry to hear that the manufacturer have confirmed that the issues you're experiencing with rust around the hob plate is not covered under the manufacturers warranty. After reviewing the images which you have kindly sent into us we would have to side with the manufacturer and confirm that the issue does look to be a cosmetic defect and not caused by a manufacturers fault and we would not be able to offer a replacement hob or assist with arranging or contributing towards a repair. 

I can however offer as a gesture of goodwill £50 as a discount if you wish to purchase a new hob from ourselves. Please let me know if you wish to accept this offer.

Ha - if I do end up buying a new one, I certainly won't be buying it from Boots!! 🙄

I suppose the question is, how much can I be bothered 🙄 Mostly I buy cheap/second hand stuff so I'm used to putting up with things looking less than perfect. I suppose I hoped that spending more would mean better quality but apparently not! It's quite vexing that they all seem to think that a 'cosmetic defect' of this level is perfectly ok and nothing to do with them! 

Another option, and I have no idea how this works - I bought it with a credit card, so there's some protection through that.

YAWN.

badmemory

Since when was rust cosmetic?  A ding is cosmetic, rust is a manufacturing fault.

Cheery_Daff

I agree! In this case, whatever they've used round the edge of the hob clearly isn't fit for purpose, or it wouldn't have chipped off 🙄

Not sure resolver tool is going to help in this instance - it seems to be a way of putting you in touch directly with the company and keeping track of correspondence, but I'm already in touch with both, and neither of them are listed on the resolver tool anyway. 

I think pictures on social media is going to be my next route - if they're not going to do anything about it, at least they can get a bit of bad publicity out of it! 🙄

themadvix

That is very vexing indeed. Did your message to either clearly state the terms from the law - i.e. about it not being fit for purpose (rust isn't very hygienic) or lasting an appropriate amount of time? I've found in the past that when I start reciting the key words from the law/protections, they tend to take you a bit more seriously. There's no way that they should be allowed to get away with fobbing you off so lightly.

Cheery_Daff

I did specifically mention the Consumer Rights act, nd told them that despite referring me to Smeg originally, they were actually responsible for making sure my statutory rights were met, but I don't think I quoted exact wording.

It's on social media now - and they've not responded to me (despite tagging them in my post), but have responded to an MSE-er with considerably more followers who put it on their Instagram stories 😂 

penny_less

Just de-lurking to say, their reason of pan movement seems ridiculous to me- since when does anybody slide their pans towards the knobs? Not that this helps, but Smeg will have had a lot of bad publicity from these posts alone, I think I’m far from your only lurker!

beanielou

I am speechless at this.
So disheartening.

Anyway, that aside, enjoy your jollies

EssexHebridean

Here's hoping that they get back in touch with you directly today about it - the pan movement thing is nonsense - it should be more than capable of coping with what is a pretty standard part of it's use! If they are saying it's not then you can definitely add "not fit for purpose" to the "and last a suitable amount of time" aspect! I'd definitely be inclined to mention that it is being discussed on the MoneySavingExpert forums too - that frequently puts the fear of god into suppliers in my experience!