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Refund for something I've paid for but not collected!

Hi - looking for some support!

I bought a fish tank on Sunday 26/03. They could either order one in, or there was one in the window they could box up.

I said I'd take the one in the window, paid £200 and agreed to collect on Tuesday (today). Over the weekend, read some negative reviews about the brand of tank I'd bought, panicked a little and decided it probably wasn't the best idea after all to keep 65 litre of water in my office next to various electricals.

Returned to the shop today to be told I couldnt have a refund. I should either take and sell the tank (still set up and in their window), else I could have a credit note to spend in the shop another time.

This doesn't feel right - I'm sure a refund should be possible, particularly when the product was already in their shop, and it never left their shop! 

Lovely people and I'm very keen not to progress further unless I absolutely have to but where do I stand?!

Comments

  • comeandgo
    comeandgo Posts: 5,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You have no right to a refund, in fact you have no right for anything, the shop are going above and beyond offering you a credit note.
  • Aylesbury_Duck
    Aylesbury_Duck Posts: 15,927 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As above, I'm afraid you have no right to a refund.
  • Jonboy_1984
    Jonboy_1984 Posts: 1,233 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 28 March 2023 at 12:42PM
    Did you visit them in person on Sunday.

    If so it was an in person purchase, and you had the opportunity to examine the goods so they don't have to offer any sort of refund for a change of mind.


    Out of curiosity which tank was it?




  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 38,022 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Just to be clear, you made this purchase while in the shop (rather than by phone, for example)?
  • Thank you, your responses are helpful! It's a 65l Aqua One tank purchased in store (albeit didn't leave the shop - doesn't sound like that matters)
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,408 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The only thing I would add is check your receipt or notices in store and see if they do offer refunds. If the shop has a clearly stated refund policy which allows for change of mind refund, then point that out to them. 
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • tightauldgit
    tightauldgit Posts: 2,628 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hi - looking for some support!

    I bought a fish tank on Sunday 26/03. They could either order one in, or there was one in the window they could box up.

    I said I'd take the one in the window, paid £200 and agreed to collect on Tuesday (today). Over the weekend, read some negative reviews about the brand of tank I'd bought, panicked a little and decided it probably wasn't the best idea after all to keep 65 litre of water in my office next to various electricals.

    Returned to the shop today to be told I couldnt have a refund. I should either take and sell the tank (still set up and in their window), else I could have a credit note to spend in the shop another time.

    This doesn't feel right - I'm sure a refund should be possible, particularly when the product was already in their shop, and it never left their shop! 

    Lovely people and I'm very keen not to progress further unless I absolutely have to but where do I stand?!
    No legal right to change your mind about an in-store purchase so whatever the shop wants to offer you is what you get.
  • Belenus
    Belenus Posts: 2,768 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There are 2 fish in a tank.

    One turns to the other one and says:

    "Do you know how to drive this thing?"

    A man walked into a car showroom.
    He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
    The man replied, “You have now mate".
  • the_lunatic_is_in_my_head
    the_lunatic_is_in_my_head Posts: 9,576 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 29 March 2023 at 12:34PM
    There is no right to cancel in store however that doesn't prevent you breaching the contract which would allow them to retain costs or loss of profit leaving some amount due as a refund. 

    With that in mind you are probably best off with the credit OP :)
    In the game of chess you can never let your adversary see your pieces
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