RAC sent incorrect battery

Vic26

I purchased a car battery on 17/04/23 from the RAC Shop. It was the battery they recommended to fit my car. But the battery arrived and did not fit. Since then I have phoned and emailed customer care with no joy. I originally asked for a replacement but in the end I was required to purchase another and fit with a local garage. It's been 1 month now. Customer care have said they would refund but were waiting for an invoice from the supplier. I contacted the supplier who said the RAC only needed to ring the head office. That was 2 weeks ago and yet customer care said me the same message “waiting for the supplier”. Any advice would be much appreciated to get this incorrect battery returned and my refund. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Vic26 said:

I purchased a car battery on 17/04/23 from the RAC Shop. It was the battery they recommended to fit my car. But the battery arrived and did not fit. Since then I have phoned and emailed customer care with no joy. I originally asked for a replacement but in the end I was required to purchase another and fit with a local garage. It's been 1 month now. Customer care have said they would refund but were waiting for an invoice from the supplier. I contacted the supplier who said the RAC only needed to ring the head office. That was 2 weeks ago and yet customer care said me the same message “waiting for the supplier”. Any advice would be much appreciated to get this incorrect battery returned and my refund. 

How did you pay? Worth giving your card company a call to see if they'll intervene?

It might not be the "incorrect" battery, is it possible your car has had a different battery tray fitted in the past?  Assuming you bought online it makes no difference because you have a right to return it anyway, but worth checking whether it's the RAC's vehicle checker that's wrong, or whether you have an unusual battery housing.

Vic26

Thank you for your reply. The terminals are too small on the battery for the car’s clamps. I inherited the car from my dad who passed away recently. It is quite new and I don't know if he had those changed. 

I just have no idea how to proceed with my refund and return this battery. What rights I have that I can remind the Rac of. 

Vic26

Sorry I missed the first line fi your reply. I paid with a debit card. I don't think there’s much I can do bank wise bit I’ll try. 

km1500

follow their complaints procedure

https://www.rac.co.uk/complaints

you may also get a response if you complain on their social media

Aylesbury_Duck

Rights-wise, if this was an online purchase, you have the right to return it within 14 days of receipt.  It doesn't sound as if the RAC are being deliberately difficult or trying to deny a return, it just sounds like they're messing up the return process.

Vic26

Yes...it does seem so.