We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Repackaged items being sold as new

Options
PhilipCSwift
PhilipCSwift Posts: 3 Newbie
Third Anniversary First Post
edited 11 November 2022 at 11:27AM in Praise, vent & warnings
B&Q. Not told it was a repackaged item. Parts missing from a heated towel rail with a heater blower. The manual showed a picture of what you are meant to get. It gave a warning to not use the blower without the air filter (intake) being fitted.There is also a wall mounting strip for the bottom fixings missing.
  • Parts missing
  • Towel rail put in box upside down (there is a picture label on the front)
  • Plastic bag not over the goods, just shoved in at the bottom of the box
  • Clear parcel tape put on roughly with messy ends and 3 strips slapped on over one joint
  • The manual (thick and weighty; 8 different languages) was not secured so was banging about inside the box when carried
  • Screw heads that were painted had cracked paint where a tool did not fit properly
  • Heating bars were scuffed and some dirt marks on the side rail
This item got discounted twice before so I thought I was getting a bargain. It is guaranteed for 2 years (well...the parts you get are) and had a 3 star, online customer rating. This rating may not be just for product, which of course cannot be tested or used. Like this review, it is also includes a rating for B&Q trying to pull a fast one.

I bought a strimmer from B&Q in the summer and the box looked repackaged. I asked the counter staff if I had just bought a reconditioned item and they said "oh no, we don't sell refurbished items, they are all new". So there is 2 things going on here. Has it been repackaged and also, has it been reconditioned to some/any extent.

Always ask to open box, clear taped goods before picking it up and going home. Check the manual for a picture of parts and check they are all there. Also check for scuffs and marks.

Comments

  • user1977
    user1977 Posts: 17,807 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you don't have a question for us then I think this is for

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/praise-vent-warnings

    rather than here.

    But yes, B&Q have a longstanding habit of just chucking returns straight back onto the shelf without checking the contents.
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 22,520 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    it wonlt be reconditioned. it will have been bought and returned. Then put on sale agin without checking what was in the box.

    The strimmer may have been returned or may ahave been a display model put back in the box whiih had been kicking around in the storeroom.
  • Forwandert
    Forwandert Posts: 1,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 10 November 2022 at 11:38PM
    There's also a chance it's neither of those things and it's just a random customer that's opened a box, taken everything out to look at it and left it all out for it to be repackaged.

    Haven't worked in retail for many years but this was usually the reason for repackaging things (they usually took a sealed up one after opening too to buy)
  • Le_Kirk
    Le_Kirk Posts: 24,566 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    user1977 said:
    If you don't have a question for us then I think this is for

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/praise-vent-warnings

    rather than here.

    But yes, B&Q have a longstanding habit of just chucking returns straight back onto the shelf without checking the contents.
    Unless it has been moved without a message saying it has been moved (unusual) it is in the right place Praise, vent and warnings!
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.